The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-28
NEWS FROM SPRINGFIELD.
poLrTrcAL AND OTHERWISE.


SPRINGFIELD, H., JAN. Ex-Governor
Cullom is waiting until Congress acts on
the apportionment question before calling
the Legislature to meet in extra session.
The call win be issued Immediately after
Congress acts, 80 that the Legislature can
get through in time for the farmer mem
bers to go home and put in their crops.
The length of the session will, to a great
extent, depend upon the subjects included
in the call, for the Legislature can only act
in special session on matters specified by
the Governor. who is row considering the
scope of the call. He is anxious that the
Legislature shall be in session as short
time as possible consistent with the public
interests. He receives letters every day
requesting that a variety OF matters IN
which the writer's are interested shall be
| submitted to the Legislature. Of course
the appointment, both Congressiona and
legislative, must be included in the CALL
even if nothing else is. Then the Probate
court muddle is attracting attention, not
only in Cook County, but in other parts OF
the State, and il will probably be put in the
call unless the Supreme Judges can be per
suaded to grant hearing of the Dodge
case and on the rehearing reverse their
most unfortunate decision. A revision OF
| the Criminal Code, of the Revenue and the
! Militia laws, is also urged upon the Cover
nor as proper to be laid before the Legls-
lature. It is doubtful, however, if he viii
prolong the session into the Summer by
calling for action on these subjects, espee-
ially as the next Legislature viii assemble
in less than a year. The destitution IN
some of the southern counties OF the State
| is giving the Governor much concern, as
the letters he is constantly receiving show
that the people are really in pitiable con
! dition. There is
ALMOST 4 FAMINE
down there; and the people are crying To-
aid, which the Governor is unwilling K
furnish. The afflicted counties are Frank
lin. Lawrence, Jefferson, Saline, Union
CLAW. Perry. Hamilton, White, Crawford
and Hardin. The terrible heat OF last yea
blasted the crops, and the people nave no
food for their children or their cattle. Il
Fra pkliu county the stock is subsistlnS o.
straw three years old In Jefferson count
the Weld was not two bushels OF wheat .
the acre. and the farmers have not eve
en- ough for seed in the spring. and have d
money to buy it. In Lawrence county two
thirds of the families are reported TO be o.
: the verge of starvation. Hamilton count
compIains of the loss of two crops IN
| people in the other counties are also rel
resented to be in pitiful plight Ther
!. ia no money, and hardly bread enough :
keep BODY and soul together. The chiidre
are shoeless, and cannot ge to scnoo
Such is the tale of want that comes u
; from the south, and it harrows the soul {
the tender hearted Executive te think ths
he can do nothing for the sufferers. and
is doubtful II the legislature can do an,
{ thing except, perhaps, to authorize sta
of proceedings in the collection Of take
8 which the people protest they are utterl
unable to pay. It is not improbable th'
the Governor will lay this matter befol
the legislature for its consideration.
= This will be
!, AN INTERESTING YEAR N POLITICS
Congressmen, half of the State Senator
all the Representatives. State Treasure
a State superintendent of Public lnstru
: ton and full county tickets will be elects
. in November, and the Legislature th'
elected viii choose successor to scnaf
David Davis. Already there are Indie
70 tions of lively campaign. Deep infere
r, is felt by aspirants for the United Stai
Senatorship and by their friends IN :
selection of good men for the Legisl
ture the goodness" Of the canuldai
+ consisting in their preference for Senate
IF they are for a certain man they .
.spoodv in the eyes OF that man and
E. friends, and they are mo good in
O. eves of some other man ana has frien<
It Already emissaries Of candidates are abro
IN nicling Out men In the various coaintl'
a. and urging them to get UP . boom and :
al for the Legi Stature. Il is not question
ii tho fitna il OF O man TO make ia"s Aoa