USA > Illinois > Illinois, historical and statistical, comprising the essential facts of its planting and growth as a province, county, territory, and state, Vol. II > Part 31
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The biennial executive message was read to both houses on January 7. It was devoted to state affairs, and recommended the passage of a law providing for the enlargement of the Illinois-and- Michigan Canal, its extension to the Mississippi River as a national waterway, and its cession to the general government. Governor Cullom was inaugurated for the second time and entered upon his second term of ervice on January JO. His inaugural address touched upon the subject of the benefits of a republican form of government in contrast with the monarchical constitutions of the old world, and a consider- able space was devoted to a discussion of questions relating to education and labor. Upon the latter topic, he remarked: "To the laboring class we look for the energy and perserverance which conquers all difficulties, overcomes all obstacles, and beautifies the path of life with the flowers of peace and pros- perity; labor feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, subdues the wilds and woods, builds our houses and cities, constructs our highways, lifts upon a higher plane our civilization, and makes the world richer, wiser, and better. Who shall decry labor or fail to honor him who labors? The rail-splitter, the tailor, and
56
874
ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.
the tanner have by labor made their homes in the White House; the tow-path of the canal leads today in the same direction. Labor to be most successful must be intelligent. It was not alone because these men who came from the humbler walks of life, and who achieved renown, worked with their hands, that honors came to them. These honors came because they fitted themselves for great responsibilities by labor and by mental training, which qualified them for any emergency. Labor marks the path of the world's progress."
1
The thirty-second general assembly has been noted for the small amount of legitimate legislative work transacted, for its prolonged and unprofitable discussions of questions unimportant in themselves and promising no practical solution or result, and for the wholly uncalled-for length of time to which its first session was prolonged. The example set by preceding legisla- tures, regarding Saturday and Monday absenteeism, was faith- fully followed and even thrown into the shade. There being no call for any legislation on any particular subject, other than those of reapportionment and the canal, the taxpayers generally expected that the session would be a short one; but this very absence of any need for special action seemed to open the door for a greater number of vicious schemes of legislation than usual. There was never a session of the legislature without a proposed amendment to the school-law, the revenue-law, and the township-organization law. These all claimed attention at this time, besides the temperance question, the consolidation of the supreme court, propositions to abolish the board of railroad - and - warehouse commissioners, the anti - pooling bill, and that to regulate the rate of charges of sleeping-car com- panies. Fortunately, however, there was a sufficient number of members opposed to the various "schemes" presented to pre- vent their ultimate insertion in the statute-book, although there were times when the result seemed doubtful.
An investigation into the actions and doings of the board of railroad-and-warehouse commissioners, by a legislative com- mittee, occupied the attention of the assembly for several weeks, forming an exciting side-issue which affected also other questions.
The investigation pertained principally to the management
875
STATE CONVENTIONS, 1882.
of the grain-inspection department at Chicago, and was mainly directed against Commissioner Bogue. The defence of the commission by that gentleman was unexpectedly able, and on most points conclusive. He showed a thorough acquaintance with the questions involved, and made the way clear for a report from a majority of the committee sustaining the administration of his board. William H. Robinson, who had been appointed commissioner as successor to John H. Oberly, whose term had expired, was confirmed February 11; Smith and Bogue, reap- pointed, were not confirmed until March 25.
The legislature continued in session until May 30, and as the outcome of its lengthy deliberations, besides the appropriation bills, passed the following laws; to regulate the traffic in deadly weapons and prevent the sale of them to minors; to prevent the adulteration of butter and cheese, and articles of food, drink, or medicine; to regulate the practice of dentistry; in- cluding February 22, and May 30 among the legal holidays; to regulate the practice of pharmacy; for the regulation and inspection of tenement houses; requiring officers to publish annual statements of the public funds on hand.
Having failed to pass the apportionment bills and the nec- essary legislation for the proposed cession of the Illinois-and- Michigan Canal to the United States, the governor reconvened the general assembly in special session, March 23, 1882, for these purposes. The apportionment laws were duly passed,* as was also that relating to the cession of the canal, which was, as by law required, submitted for approval to a vote of the people at the November election, 1882, when it was duly ratified.
The governor had also recommended a revision of the crimi- nal code, and made that one of the subjects to be acted upon at the called session, but after a prolonged and heated contest the proposition was defeated in the house.
The republican state-convention of 1882 was held at Spring- field, June 28, Senator George Hunt presiding. Gen. John C. Smith was nominated for treasurer the second time without serious opposition. The contest over the nomination for state superintendent of public instruction, however, between James P. Slade, who then held the office, and Charles T. Strattan of
* See table on next page.
876
ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.
Jefferson County, was very close, the latter being successful on the fourth ballot.
The state convention of the democrats was also held at Springfield, September 7, ex-Gov. John M. Palmer occupying the chair. Alfred Orendorf of Sangamon County was nomi- nated for state treasurer, there being no other aspirant for the honor. Efforts were made to unite on the greenback ticket for state superintendent of public instruction but they proved un- successful; and although there was considerable diversity of opinion among the delegates, Henry Raab of St. Clair County, received the nomination on the second ballot.
The platform contained the usual planks againt the extrava- gance of the republican party, against the tariff, and sumptuary
ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENT.
The following is the party- vote of each district in 1880, and the population of each as shown by the census of that year :
DIS'T GAR-
FIELD
HAN- OCK
MAJORITY REP.
POPUL'N
DIS'T
GAR- FIELD
HAN- COCK
REP.
DEM.
1 5,863 4,117 1,746
53,278
27 5,863
4.880
983
50,925
2 6,471 4,268 2,203
56,251
28 7,317 5,202
2, 115
60, 115
3 7,065 4,788 2,277
57,644
29 6,176
5,756
420
55,712
4 5,907 4,337 1,570
55,370
30 8,586 6,895
1,691
73,466
5 3,434 5,433
1,999
64,561
31 7,816 6,410
1,406
67,104
6 7,504 5,206 2,298
72,71I
32 6,274 6,157
117
56,674
7 6,767 2,549 4,218
58,593
33 4,611
7,373
2,762
62,281
8 8,438 3,644 4,794
57,740
34 5,402 7, 114
1,712
60,015
9 4,730
3,064 1,666
55,460
35 4,987 6,113
1,126
59,148
IO 8,671
3,596 5,075
60,464
36 4,481
6,413
1,932
54,276
II 3,309
6,088
2,779
73.275
37 4,248 6,555
2,307
49,305
12
8,971
6,394 2,577
75,489
38 7,103 7,793
690
69,224
13 3,888
4,608
720
61,945
39 5,476 6,196
720
52,902
14 8,507
4,060 4,447
64,143
40 5,389 6,519
1,130
56,318
15 5,776
3,803 1,973
53,424
4I 5,024 4,677
347
50, 14I
16 7,329 4,378 2,951
60,418
42 5,569 5,427
142
54,708
17 8,165
3,392
4,773
56,596
43 5,896 6,900
1,004
63,645
18 5,628
3,641
1,987
53,555
44 6,423 6,175
248
61,638
19 7,277 4,457
2,820
58,382
45 4,625 6,052
1,427
52,605
20 6,610
7,334
724 66,345
46 5,244 6,990
1,746 63,409
21
8,494 4,626
3,868
74,923
47 5,847 5,877
30
61,850
22 9,031
7, 110
1,921
79,609
48 5,628 5,861
233 55,381
23 6,941
6,308
633
70,420
49 6,067 4,639 1,428
58,525
24 7,237
6,367
870
65,608
50 4,870 5,777
907 55,417
25 6,185
3,839
2,346
49,953
51 5,834 5,070
764
58,041
26 5,105 5,705
600
55,419
-Chicago Tribune, May 5, 1882.
MAJORITY
POPUL'N
DEM.
877
RESULT OF THE ELECTION, 1882.
legislation, and in favor of the election of the railroad-and- warehouse commissioners.
The nominees of the greenbackers were as follows: for treasurer Daniel McLaughlin, for superintendent of public in- struction Frank H. Hall.
Still another state-ticket was in the field this year, that of the prohibitionists, which contained the following names: John G. Irwin for treasurer, and Elizabeth B. Brown for superintend- ent of public instruction.
The strength of these various parties, as shown by the elec- tion returns, was as follows: for state treasurer, Smith 250,722, Orendorf 244,585, McLaughlin 15,511, Irwin 11,130. For state superintendent, Strattan 250,276, Raab 253,145, Hall 14,306, Brown 11,202 - Smith's plurality 6,137; Raab's 2,869; the republicans being in a minority of 20,504. Strattan ran behind his ticket for the reason that as a member of the last legisla- ture, he had favored the proposition to submit to the people a prohibitory liquor-law.
But while the republicans were in a minority in the State, they again succeeded in electing a majority of the members of the legislature, which was to be called upon to elect a United- States senator to succeed David Davis.
The thirty-third general assembly convened January 2, 1883. The new senators were: George E. White, John H. Clough, W. H. Ruger, William J. Campbell (reëlected), William E. Mason, Thomas Cloonan, Millard B. Hereley, all of Cook County; E. B. Shumway of Will; Lyman B. Ray, Grundy; William C. Snyder, Fulton; Henry A. Ainsworth, Rock Island; J. W. Duncan, La Salle; Lorenzo D. Whiting, Bureau, reëlected; Henry Tubbs, Knox; Jason Rogers, Macon; George Hunt, reëlected, Edgar; Erastus N. Rinehart, reelected, Effingham; Maurice Kelly, reelected, Adams; Frank M. Bridges, Greene; Lloyd F. Hamilton, Sangamon; David B. Gillham, Madison; Thomas E. Merritt, reelected, Marion; W. H. McNary, Clark; Henry Seiter, St. Clair; William S. Morris, Pope; and Daniel Hogan, Pulaski.
Those returned to the house, who had previously served in , that body or in the senate, were as follows: Austin O. Sexton, L. C. Collins, jr., George G. Struckman, and David Sullivan, of
878
ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.
Cook; Charles E. Fuller, Boone; E. M. Haines, Lake; E. B. Sumner, Winnebago; E. L. Cronkrite, Stephenson; James Herrington, Kane; Henry Wood, DeKalb; J. A. Collier, Ford ; A. G. Goodspeed, Livingston; Patrick O'Mara, Rock Island; David Rankin, Henderson; James T. Thornton, Putnam; John H. Welch, Bureau; Joseph Gallup, Marshall; Thomas F. Mit- chell, Mc Lean; F. M. Richardson, Cumberland; Isaac L. Morrison, Morgan; A. N. Yancy, Macoupin; John B. Ricks, Christian; John M. Pearson and Henry O. Billings, Madison; John L. Nichols, Clinton; F. E. W. Brink, Washington; James R. McFie, Randolph; James M. Gregg, Saline; David T. Line- gar, Alexander; Milo Erwin, Williamson; and Michael C. Quinn, Peoria.
Among the new members, whose names most frequently appear as having taken a part in the proceedings, were: Wm. H. Harper, Hilon A. Parker, J. F. Lawrence, James A. Taylor, Edward D. Cooke, Clayton E. Crafts, Peter Sundelius, all of Cook County; Luther L. Hiatt, DuPage; Andrew Welsh, Ken- dall; William H. Emmerson, Fulton; A. S. Curtis and F. A. Willoughby, Knox; Wright Adams, LaSalle; Isaac N. Pearson McDonough; Lafayette Funk, Mc Lean; William F. Calhoun, De Witt; William A. Day, Champaign; William J. Calhoun, and E. R. E. Kimbrough, Vermilion; T. L. Matthews, and H. C. Thompson, Cass; Thomas G. Black, Adams; Thomas Worth- ington, jr., Pike; John H. Coats, Scott; Walter E. Carlin, Jer- sey; E. M. Kinman Morgan; David T. Littler, B. F. Caldwell, and G. W. Murray, Sangamon; E. E. Cowperthwait, Christian; Seth F. Crews, and G. F. Varnell, Jefferson; J. B. Messick, St .- Clair; R. W. McCartney, Massac; William H. Boyer, Saline; and William W. Hoskinson, Franklin.
William J. Campbell was again honored with the election of president pro tempore of the senate, though not without a struggle. The republican caucus, at which he was declared the nominee, was held before all the senators were present, and six refused to be bound by its decision. Sixty-one ballots were taken in the senate before a result was reached in favor of Campbell. The democrats conferred the honor of their suffrages upon Thomas M. Shaw, while Isaac Rice received the votes of the six dissenting republicans. Campbell had made an entirely
JAMES MCCARTNEY
HENRY D. DEMENT
WMA. JAMES
HENRY RAAB
CHAS.P.SWIGERT
FERGUS CT. CO
-
879
THIRTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
satisfactory presiding officer, eminently dignified and impartial, and the objection to him was not personal, but was intended as a protest against what was regarded as the premature and hasty action of the caucus. L. F. Watson was elected secretary of the senate.
The house was organized by the election of Loren C. Col- lins, jr., of Cook, as speaker, over Austin O. Sexton, by a vote of 78 to 75, and John A. Reeve of Alexander, clerk.
Judge Collins, one of the youngest men who had filled the speaker's chair in this State, was born in Windsor, Conn., Aug. I, 1848, and became a resident of Illinois with his father's family in 1866. He was graduated with honor from the Northwestern University at Evanston in 1872, and was shortly after admitted to the bar and became a successful practitioner. At the time of his elevation to the speaker's chair, he was serving his third term as a member of the house, where he had proved himself to be a ready debater, an excellent parliamentarian, and a sagacious party-leader. He was appointed one of the circuit- judges of Cook County in 1884, to fill a vacancy, and elected to a full six years' term, as his own successor, in 1885.
The governor's message, presented January 4, embodied a clear and concise statement of the state finances, and of the satisfactory condition of the various public departments. The revision of the criminal code was again strongly urged upon the legislature and also an amendment to the state constitution which would give the executive the power of vetoing individual items or sections of appropriation bills.
The preliminary contest among the republican candidates for the nomination of a United-States senator before the meeting of the republican caucus was active and earnest. But for the fact that Governor Cullom was only half through his gubernatorial term of four years, there would have been but little opposition to his selection. It was testing the fidelity of his friends to the utmost to ask them to help elect him to this office when he had two years to serve as governor; especially was this true in view of the fact that his election would seat in the executive chair one whom the party leaders would not originally have selected to fill that post, and whose elevation, it was found, might, in some instances, prove to be the occasion of their own downfall
880
ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.
through the nomination of others to fill the places then held by them. The complications of the situation were increased and the prospect of Cullom by no means improved by the introduc- tion into the house, from the democratic side, of a resolution declaring that under article five of section five of the state con- stitution, neither of the state officers were eligible to the office of a senator in congress. It was so timed as to come up for discussion on the very day upon which the republican caucus was called to meet. Contrary to what, at the time, was con- sidered "good politics," a number of republicans voted in favor of the resolution, instead of for its reference to a committee, and thus secured its adoption.
The caucus met on the evening of Jan. 11, 1883. The candi- dates besides Cullom were: ex-Gov. Oglesby, Gen. G. B. Raum, and Gen. Thos. J. Henderson. As already stated, Oglesby had not been generally considered a popular senator; Raum, while he had served acceptably in congress and with marked distinction as commissioner of internal revenue, had not gone through any preliminary training in the state legislature and lacked that official acquaintance with those who make senators, which is so indispensable to success. No one, indeed, except Judge Breese, had been sent to the senate, who had not passed through the general assembly. General Henderson had served with dis- tinguished ability in both houses of the legislature, but his last term of service had been before the war. Since that time, he had served eight years in congress making an excellent record.
The first ballot showed the following result: Cullom 44, Oglesby 39, Raum 22, Henderson 9, scattering 3, necessary to a choice 54. The second ballot showed a change of one vote only, from Raum to Oglesby; on the third, Cullom gained three; the fourth gave him 51 votes, Oglesby 31, Raum 15, Henderson 9, Rinaker and Payson one each. That the tide had turned in the direction of Cullom was proved by the next, and last, ballot, he receiving 63 votes, Oglesby 23, Raum 13, and Henderson 7, thus securing his nomination.
Ex-Gov. John M. Palmer was again the choice of the demo- ·crats-the honor, however, being an empty one, as there was no possible chance for success. The election occurred Jan. 16. In the senate, Cullom received 30 votes-the full party strength
88I
ELECTION OF CULLOM TO THE SENATE.
with the exception of George E. Adams, who refused to vote- and Palmer 20. In the house, each received 75 votes; two republicans, Emmerson and Rankin, declining to vote, there not being a majority in both houses, a joint-session was required on the next day, when Cullom received 107 votes-including Emmerson and Rankin, but not Adams-and Palmer 95.
The senator-elect resigned his office as governor, February 7. His record of six year's continuous service, longer than any other governor except French, had been one of the best. Pru- dent, careful, and conservative in his general administration of affairs, he had shown vigorous, prompt, and intelligent action where circumstances demanded it. To the state institutions, the economical and efficient management of which steadily improved during his term, had been added the penitentiary at Chester, and the eastern hospital for the insane at Kankakee, both of them splendid structures, furnished with all improved appliances which modern science had discovered and approved for the purposes for which they were erected. Several of the state - bureaus were created upon his recommendation, while those already in operation found their sphere of usefulness enlarged and their dignity increased.
As a senator in congress, his ability and activity early won for him both influence and prominence. His speeches attract attention not through their brilliancy, but rather by their prac- tical, business-like common-sense, and clear statement. His natural industry is equaled by his effective work in committees and by his close attention to the proceedings of the senate. His name is closely connected with the inter-state commerce law, and much of his reputation as a statesman will depend upon the final success of national legislation in that direction.
CHAPTER XLVI.
Administration of Gov. John M. Hamilton - Temperance Legislation - Laws - Labor Problems - Riots in St. Clair and Madison Counties-Conventions, Platforms, and Elections of 1884.
TOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON, who succeeded to the J office of governor upon the resignation of Shelby M. Cullom, was born in Union County, Ohio, May 28, 1847. His father, Samuel Hamilton, removed to a farm in Marshall County, Illinois, in 1854. Though but seventeen years of age in 1864, he enlisted as a private in the 14Ist Illinois Regiment of infan- try, then being recruited for 100 days, and served until the regi- ment was mustered out. He received a classical education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was graduated in 1868. He engaged in teaching at Henry, Illinois, in 1869, and was subsequently appointed a professor of languages in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington. Having been admitted to the bar in 1870, he entered upon the active and successful practice of his profession. In 1876, he was elected to the state senate from Mc Lean County, and lieutenant-governor in 1880, as already stated. In appearance, Gov. Hamilton is tall, with clean-cut features, and light, sandy hair. As a public speaker, he is effective rather than popular or eloquent. Some of his forensic efforts before a jury, however, have received high encomiums from his fellow-practitioners. He was the young- est occupant of the executive chair in this State. William J. Campbell, president pro tempore of the senate, became, ex-officio, lieutenant-governor.
Although the thirty-third general assembly continued in session, with the usual absenteeism of Saturday and Monday, until June 18, the laws of any importance enacted were few indeed in proportion to the length of time consumed in their consideration. Among the acts passed, however, was that commonly known as the Harper high-license law, which at- tracted wide attention. No subject has, perhaps, giyen rise 882
883
TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION.
to such a great variety of tentative legislation as that relating to the use and sale of intoxicating liquors.
The desire, indeed, to solve the grave problem of intemper- ance has stimulated the most profound thought, and called forth the most earnest effort alike of the philanthropist and states- man; yet the practical result thus far attained would seem to leave it doubtful whether the sociologist is much nearer reaching a satisfactory solution than when the agitation first began. The evil is still present; its baleful ramifications are as far- reaching as ever; and if not positively increasing, it certainly can not be said to be on the decline. As regards the remedy- if, indeed, there be one-there is a strange lack of unanimity of sentiment among either moralists or legislators. The dis- cussion of the question, however, can scarcely fail to prove beneficial, and may yet lead to radical and much-needed reforms through a harmonizing of the divergent views of the champions of prohibition, the supporters of local-option and high license, and the advocates of unrestricted personal liberty.
The first law on the subject, passed by the first general assem- bly, Feb. 27, 1819, provided for the licensing of "taverns, ale- houses, or dram-shops, or public-houses of entertainment" by county commissioners upon the payment of a sum of not ex- ceeding twelve dollars a year, according to location. The appli- cant was required to give a bond of $300, conditioned that he was "to be of good behavior, and observe all the laws and ordinances relating to inn-keepers." The commissioners were authorized to fix rates or prices for entertainment, and the selling of liquors ;* to "suppress" the license of any person who should suffer any disorder or drunkenness or unlawful game in his house; he was not to harbor or trust any minors or slaves, and was required to furnish good entertainment for man and horse under the penalty of five dollars to be recovered before any justice of the peace.
This law, with some minor changes, remained on the statute- book for twenty years. From 1838 to 1840, the subject of temper- ance awakened unusual attention in the State, and at the session
* These charges in 1819 were fixed as follows: Breakfast, 25 cents; dinner, 371/2 cents; supper, 25 cents; lodging, 121/2 cents; French brandy, 50 cents per half-pint; whiskey, 1272 cents; taffia or rum, 3772 cents; peach brandy, 25 cents.
884
ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.
of the eleventh general assembly, a petition was presented from fourteen counties praying for the repeal of all laws permitting the retailing of ardent spirits; this was referred to the com- mittee on the judiciary, of which Colonel John J. Hardin was chairman. He made a lengthy and able report on the subject from which, to show the condition of public sentiment at that time, the following extracts are given:
"To the legislator, the subject of intemperance is replete with interest. The moralist regards it as it affects the conduct and social happiness of individuals; the divine, as it influences its victims to disregard the thought of eternity; but it is for the legislator to consider it in its tendency to lead to a breach of the good order of society, to the violation of law, to crime, to insanity, and to pauperism.
"There are some forms of intemperance in which its victims may indulge, which it does not appear to your committee that it is in the power of legislative enactment to prevent. If a man will purchase his barrel of whisky, and at home, or in solitude, will drink to drunkenness and thus render himself more grovel- ling than a beast-it has not been considered in the United States that this was a case which would authorize the interven- tion of law - here the man was abusing himself, not injuring the peace of society. His appropriate adviser is the moralist and the divine.
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