, 1876-07-30
CHICAGO IN TIE LEGISLATURE,

It may seem like the repetition of an oil
and familiar cry, but nevertheless we VAR
the people of Chicago, rich and poor, tax
payers and non-tax-payers, who are in
terested in the well-being of the City of Chi
cago,-that it is imperative1y necessary fo
every man of every party to do nll that III
| can to have this city honestly and ably repre-
sented in the next Legislature. Cook Count,
| is entitled to twenty-one Representatives ane
seven Senators. Of these, four Senators hold
over, leaving three to be elected. Are there
not twenty-fonr men in Chicago who have
the proper qualifications, experience, learn
ing, aud ability, who will consent to serve
this city, now reduced to help1essness,
through misfortune and bad government?
1t is not difficult to find men willing to go to
the Legislature; candidates for nomination
will be rs numerous before November
as the falling leaves. But the condition
of Chicago admits of no complim entary
politics. 1t needs men capable of
business The emergency which demanded a
new and better Common Council in April
last now demands even more strongly new
and better class of Representatives in the
Legislature. The fact that this is Presi-
dental election year. and that Senator of
the United States is to be elected by the
Legislature, does not change the situation in
the least. Twenty-four intelligent and COM
petent citizens can vote for Senator Just rs
wisely rs can an equal number of different
class. Because it is desirable to elect q party
President and q party Senator, it does not
follow that these ends may not be as we'll
promoted by having men ss candidates for
the Legislature who are fit for the duties rs
by the nomination of men who are not fit.
The fact is that in the election of members
the chances are all in favor Of that party who
shall propose the better class of men,-men
whom the voters would prefer to employ
personally to attend to their own business.
OF necessity there must be party nominn-
tlons. OF the seven districts, the Republic
ans have majority in the First, Sec
ond, Fourth, Sixth, and Seventh. The
loss of some Of these districts in 1874 was
due to causes which do not exist this year.
Senators are to be elected in the Second,
Fourth, and Sixth Districts. But it will not
be sufficient merely to elect Republicans it
is important that the men themselves should
be proper persons to represent the city. The
Third District is hopelessly Democratic. The
Fifth District is debatable. In the five Re-
publican districts the Republicans will have
10 members and the other side S; and in the
Third District the Democrats will have Q
and the Republicans /; in the Fifth District
the contest will be over the odd member.
The 24 persons to be elected will stand, no.
lltically, Republican Senators, y Repub- |
l1can Representatives, Democratic Repre- |
sentatives, and doubtful. With this polit-
lca1 division almost an ascertained fact, it
be difficult for the Conventions of
both parties to select men who ought to be |
elected.
The circumstances Of the city are such as
% appeal to the patriotism of both parties.
Men are wanted, of both parties, for IN
Urgent and important work. Legislation of
he most important character is needed. The
'ity must be represented By men informed
's to the public necessities, and able to pre-
ent them intelligenly to the Legislature. It
q no time. and the TAoie1at11ra No pfaca for |