The Ottawa free trader., 1883-06-23
ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.

ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.
The Illinois Legislature reached final
adjournment on Monday afternoon, quo
rum having been kept together both on
Saturday and Monday to finish up the
business. The closing hours, as usual
were somewhat disorderly, members throw
ing paper balls, whooplng and yelling
pounding the desks with and hurting
books and pamphlets and succeeding in
smashing some windows and knocking
the glass points from the chandeliers
Speaker Collins was complimented with
the presentation of gold watch, and Pres
ident Campbell of the senate received a
silver tea service.
While the late legislature IS justly crlti-
czed for the inordinate length of its ses-
sion, there is this apology to offer, that it
grew out of the evenly balanced state of
parties IN the house. every measure of a
partisan character leading to a prolonged
contest--,he high license question and the
Bradwell election contest alone taking up
fully halt the session,
Aside from its waste OF time however,
there is at least this to be said IN favor OF
the late legislature, that If ii did but little
work it did little harm. The few acts II
passed Qess than 100 including the appro.
prla,ion bills) are generally regarded as
wise and necessary, while of the 100 bills
introduced and unacted upon, the people
are doubtless more fortunate IN their fail
ure than If they had become laws.
OF the laws passed, aside from the ap-
preparation bills, OF the character of which
1t is still too early to judge,) the few that
may be called important were TIE high
license bill, the bill amending the road
laws, various bills in reference to mines
and mining and the compulsory education
bill.
OF the high license bill we have had
our say heretofore and have nothing to
add or take back. While we are inclined
to think q majority of the people of the
state would vote for The law, we regard 1t
nevertheless as anti.democratic and hold
that all the good attainablc under it could
have been more justly attained under our
local option law which it virtually super
scdcs.
The new road laws (or amendment
rather of the old road laws are rather
complicated in their provisions, but gen
orally it may be SAID they require the com
mlssioners Of highways, instead of vast
ing money each year in mere temporary
work, to construct permanent roads as fas,
as means will permit They require work
to be done IN accordance with the bes,
known methods Of road-making, and le,
by contract. To prevent as far as possible
the seeding of weeds, thstles, etc. Full
provisions are made for draining the roads
with tile, and for entering adjacent land
and carrying drains through them. and
also for contracting with owners to dram
into it, they paying part of the expense
All road taxes, including poll taxes, must
be pald in money. A levy of sixty cents
on the 100 is permitted, If needed, with AZ
additional levy Of forty cents (making 81
in ALI, IN view of any contingency with the
consent of the town board. The supcrvi-
sor of the township is made ex-oiilciC
treasurer OF the mmissioners, and TIE
town clerk, their clerk.
In reference to mines and mining sew
eral bills were passed. One provides fol
State inspection OF mines; another for The
construction of firo-proof buildings at III,
entrance to shaft; and the third fcl
weighing coal at the mines under the di
rection of an agent TO be appointed by III,
miners. These measures are believed Il
provide full safeguards against many seri-
Gus dangers that have hitherto attended
the mining interests 10 this State, ana Il
avoid many sources of disagreement anC
trouble between the miners and mine own
II ers. III ~ T aa.Et1-- H a
The substance Of the comp ulsory educa
ton bill may be stated in a few words 1
provides thst every person having th'
charge or control OF children between ia,
ages of and IA years shan send them L
school at least twelve weeks in each year
unless excused ty the local School Board