The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-01-13

Ctti anu 'hI1 ~ - i'AbtI'i'''
The power OF the state 10 regulate ware.
houses, aad the price OF storage therein, has
been fully established by our supreme court,
but the matter is now pending for final dcci''
ion in the supreme court ut the United States.
The commissioners have Instituted several
suits To enforce and test The cOnSitutlonally
of tie law regulating tariffs on railroads, and
in the circuit courts they have had partial
success but, so far, have been unable 10 get
u decision ut the supreme court upon the
merits Of The law. | deem it of Tie utmost
Importance that the principles underlying The
rights of the state and of the great corpora
tons should, at the earliest possible day, be
defined and established by the highest trbu.
nal IN the land. While this litigation has
been progressing it is gratifying to know
that, by discussion, the rights and interests OF
all parties are heing better understood and
apprccla.ed; that the extreme excitement OF q
few year ago has nearly subsidized; that the
hitter antagonism against railroad corpora
tons las IN a measure ceased; and the com
panies. though not conforming strictly to
the law, and the schedule of rates established
by the commissioners, are giving less cause
Of complaint for unjust discrimination and
ex,ortion. | regard this as an evidence OF
the ability and disposition OF the American,
people, peaceably, to solve all questions and
adjust all conflicting interests, be they social,
moral, civil, or political.
The policy Of state inspection and OF state
supervision over corporations in regulating
tariffs has been seriously questioned. 1t is
no new policy, nor confined to this state. For
years, in several of the states, the state, by
officers appointed or elected, has inspected
certain articles of merchandise and com
merce, and granted to corporate authorities
the power to inspsct-and other states besides
Illinois have attempted to regulate charges
for transportation of freight and passengers
on railroads The policy was adopted in this
state prior to my administration. Without
discussing its propriety, would say nave
endeavored faithfully to administer the laws
as have found them. | believe now, as
did four years ago, that the people have
rights, and corporations have rights, and, by
a proper understanding of these rights, all
conflicting interests can be adjusted. EXpe-
renee teaches wherein laws are detective,
and call the attention Of the general Assem-.
bly, to the notifications Of the inspection
and railroad legislation suggested in the com
mlssloners report
sTATE.HOUSE.
congratulate the general assembly upon
their meeting IN the new capitol. Though
unfinished, and partially unfinished, 1t al
fOrds accommodations for all the departments
Of the state government grand and ample
compared with the old state-houSc. The
structure IS substantial and honestly built.
Two of the commissioners have been in
charge of the enterprise from its inception.
Their acts have not been free from criticism,
nor even investigation; but the best evidence
of their honesty and fidelity Is in the fact
that on the eve of every legislative inyestga
non large appropriations nave been made
for continuing The work.
The estimated cost Of the building is So,
496 127 A.; amount expended to Nov. 30, 1876
SO 432 .3lG GS-total amount appropriated, S3,
5O0OO0 It's apparent the building cannot
| G completed within the appropriations. The
have haG the general expert.
ence that the cost exceeds the estimates, and
in their report give the reasons therefor.
The constitution limits the expenditures on
account OF the new capitol grounds, and con
structlou, completion, and furnishing of the
new state house to $500 900, without first
the proposition for an additional
expenditure to the legal voters of the state ut
Il general election.
As a citizen and taxpayer, am DESTROYS of
seeing The capitol and the capitol grounds
|, therefore recommend that the
proposition tor an additional expenditure for
that purpose be submitted by the general as
sembly to the legal voters, as provided IN the
constitution.
The commissioners have expended for adj
diiional estimates, plans, ana specifications
required by the Legislature, for legal services,
for grounds for bolerhouse, for safe in the
ireasurers office, for rents, advertising, sala-
ries of commissioners and secretary, and for
other purposes the sum of about 100000
which expenditures were not computed inI
the est mated cost Of the building, and which
amount has not been expended on account of
the new capitol grounds nor in the CnnStruC
ton, completion, and furnishing of the state
house: and am inclined 10 the OpisiOn this
amount can be refunded to the commission
ers without violating the letter or spirit of
the constitution. Such an app opra,iOn
would enable the commissioners 70 inclose
the dome. 10 fl, up and furnish the law libra
ry, the clerks office and court room of the
supreme court, the adju'ant generals Office,
the Military Memorial hall, the agricultural
and geological rooms, Ia improve the VENT.
lation, and Ia Anor the basement Corridors
work which the public interests and safety |
of the binding demand should he done early |
next season, and not await general election. |
Whatever amount may be thus appropriated
W
of the people. The expense of heating. light |
inr, and care ct the building and grounds |
will he large compared with former expenses
for such purpose. | would suggest that the
cost of lighting would be materially leSsencd |
by the state manufacturing lis own gas
PENITENTIARY.
The penitenIiary was located atJnlic:, IN
1857. The cost of grounds, buildings, and
permanent improvements, to Sept. So 1876 |
was 81 323,6ji a. OF this amount the sum
of $l,l53,49S.lS was appropriated and paid
out of the state treasury. Up to July. 1867,
the renI,entiary had been operated under the
lease ~ stem, and the cost of that system to
the state, from January, 1857, to July, 1861. a
period of 10 and a half wears, was $l45, 1888.
81 In July, 1876. the state took possession
of tho prison, and worked the convics till
the fall OF 1871, period of four and quar-
ter wears; aud under tins management the
cost tc the state was SS7irOO.
Ia The latter part nf 1871, the present svs
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