The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-05-10

SEC. is. The general assembly shall pass laws
10 correct abuses and prevent unjust discrimination
tariffs on the different RAILROADS ii this State and
enforce such laws BY adequate penalties TO the ex-
tent necessary for that purpose OF forfeiture Of
Their property and franchises
As one of his colleagues in the work of
pressing these railroad resolutions on the
convention Mr.. Craig had the present
Judge Schofeld, who is the prob
able successor of Judge Thornton
on the Supreme Bench. Both, gen
tlemen are warm friends and are
likely TO resume on the Supreme Bench
that intimacy which they formed at Spring
field. Hon j. c. Baine, the President Of
the anti-monopolist convention, which has
placed MIR. Craig in the field, was also a
member of the convention, and ably as
sisted Mr. Craig in his efforts to secure the
passage of the railroad sections.
Mr. Craig was also warm advocate of
minority representation, and in every way
showed himself TO be possessed Of pro
gressive mind, and an intelligence in keep
ing with the liberal requirements of the
age. The acquaintance he there formed
with the leading men of the State was
honorable TO all After returning from
Illt UNCONSTITUTIONAL AOuNNANOhi NkAAS
devoted himself to the duties of his office,
and gathered together splendid practice.
He took part in the Osborne murder trial,
appearing on behalf Of the prosecution
His closing speech was a powerful effort.
The many links of circumstantial evidence
we're woven together with mastery skill,
and the guilt OF Osborne Swallowed forth
in colors so wildly true that his conviction
was rendered O matter of absolute certain
ty. He received the publiely-expressed
thanks Of the whole population of the
county for his earnest, thoughtful, eloquent
effort on behalf Of justice.
Mr.. Craig has appeared before several
meetings of farmers township clubs, and
has addressed them upon the present is
sues He has, while preserving a due re
gard for the possibilities Of the future, moi
hesitated TO freely express his BELLE
in the justice of the farmers
cause and from his past career
those who are familiar with his
life know that he will act as he speaks.
With respect to the Alton decision, his
views are that the Supreme Court did not
go far enough, and he repudiates the bug
bear of the Dartmouth college decision as
btlilE iihIlllNdDlN 70 AAlN HAN'NhA A'"'NAN'
The State, under its police authority, has
power to regulate railroads, which, he
holds, are only common carriers. But
what is most important, he believes that
there is a remedy for the people IN refer
ence to these matters and one that can be
made to work. He does not believe in Mr.
| Lawrence decision and holds, on the con
/ trary, that all the talk about the interior
ancc with railroad charters as being q
violation of the obligations Of contracts, is
| the merest nonsense.
Personally Mr. Craig is u large, well.
built man. He weighs POO pounds, stand:
six feet high, and is possessed of capaci-
ty for physical endurance that eminently
qualities him for the position Of Supreme
Court Judge He is ~ years old, just the
ripe age required, and further,is qualified,
having by his large and lucrative practice
secured an ample competency. His pri-
vate residence, situate on the Knoxville
road, about half way between that place
and the burgh, has all the charms of .
country home 1t is elegantly furnished
and holds many of the legal works which
constitute part of the best law library il
the district. Mr.. Craig is a hard student
and employs most Of his spare time wheI
at home in working up his cases. Hi
home is situated on a farm Of some 2OC
acres, which lac looks after personally
He owns several other farms, two in Han
cock county, ore in Fulton county, anC
others in Iowa and Nebraska As feed
er Of stock, and producer Of grain, he sui
ters in common with the rest of the com
munity from the heavy tariffs placed b.
the soulless railroads on the transporta
ton Of the products of the farm to tn
eastern market Mr. Craig was married il
1857 to the daughter Of Hon. G. II. Haw
ley, a member of the constitutional con
yention of 1913, and widely known and re
spected throughout the state as a lawyer
His son is now in partnership with Mr.
Craig. Judge Craig is a man of strictl
I temperate habits, and moral demeanor
No word Of suspicion was ever uttered witt
respect 10 his character, and either, as ma
or Us au attorney, he is above reproach.