Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-21
SP RINGEIELD NEWS.
The Legislature Still Grinding
Away.
The Ballot Reform Bill Under
n-Representarive
VintOn Hard ut work
Crawford's Bril-
Iiancy.

Crafts is SD owing his ability TO hurry
along the measures introduced, and when
this session closes il will present as grati-
Tying result as any of the preceding
ones. As to its final adjournment there
is nothing definitely known. Some have
thought thatthe middle of next month
would be fitting time and that il would
AXE until June in order to get through
With the necessary amount of business
There is still good deal of wrangling
over the ballot reform bill. There is a
good deal said about the Australian ball
lot bill, but lis stated as fact that of
ell the so called bills in the different leg.
islatures of the United States, that not
enc of them is similar, except in the
slightest degree TO the ballot system of
that country. The legislature has just
passed here bill enforcing the payment
of wages weekly, which Is looked upon
with good deal of favor. only one man
il the house-Wilk. of Cook-voting
against it, The committee on the world s
fsir has much TO contend against but its
members are earnest and there can be no
doubt that matters will be satisfactorily
settled. There are those who think that
because New York state appropriated
only $500. 600 for its exhibit, aud it be-
ing the first city in the union, that like
amount would be sufficient here. And
yet their are those who believe that 81,
000, 600 would not be cent too great,
because Illinois in this matter should set
an example 10 the rest OF the country.
TIE average opinion is. however, that the
S5JO,0OO proposed Is amply sufficient
and greater sum would not meet with
the wishes OF the taxpayers Of the state
The committee went to Chicago last night
to study the matter more thoroughly, and
will no doubt gain clearer idea as to the
needs OF the enterprise when the question
has been studied on the ground.
Representative Ninton is one of the
hardest working men in the house. He
is active at all times and has an iutelli-
gent grasp ofthe necessities of legislation.
Some idea may be pictured of the amount
OF labor he has undertaken whsn il is
known thst he has prepared and intro
duced bill for the exemption from tax
alton OF public buildings 4 bill ceding
to the United States jurisdiction over
certain structures OF lands in Rock Island
county. A bill TO establish the Western
insane hospital west of the Illinois river.
Should this measure GO thorugh this ses-
sion it could not fail TO be of incslculable
bene fit to the people of that section of the
state, and as ii is one of the pet meas
ures of Mr.. Vlntou he would labor Eight
and day in order to effect his purpose. In
addition to these he has introduced bill
in regard to elections and TO provide for
filling vacancies in election offices and to
provide for presidential electors being
elected by congressional districts. A bill
relating to the Columbian exposition. A
bill to protect associations and unions of
work ngnen on their labels. trade marks
and ferns Of advertising which
bill has become law. And
also measure to compensate persons
convicted of crime who have afterwards
proven to be innocent, and a bill for an
act concerning fees and salaries and to
classify, with several counties of this state
with reference to the per cent for collect
lag taxes, etc. Ia all these matters he is
enthusiastic aud by this enthus ASH en-
lists tie CO operation of others.
Senator Crawford is heard of some
times either as zephyr or a cyclone.
When he is heard of as zephyr it is when
he is acting on his own behalf; when like
q cyclone, it is when there is some laugh
able opposition as against something he
has done or proposes to do. For instance
he recently introduced his famous stock
yards Dill in the senate. 1t was referred
to the committee on agriculture and some
weeks ago dame up before the committee
for consideration A couple of similar
bills we're before the committee on the
same subject, and it was proposed that
the three bills be referred to a SUB com
mittee. Crawford was appointe chair
man OF the subcommittee, but gave up
the place to Senator Humphrey, another
agricultural statesman. Ever since that
Crawford has not been able to have his
bill advanced. Whether Humphrey had
been talked to on the matter it is not
known, but Crawford could never make
any hesdway with his pet scheme. The
subcommittee was always backward in
coming forward and Crswford's eloquence
availed but little. And the Rock Island
senator is an eloquent man. He went to
Chairman Hunt, of the agricultural COM
mit'ee, and wanted to know why his bill
was no. making its appearance Hunt
tOlc him to hurry up the subcommittee.
but the subcommittee could not be moved
IN the n after and then Crawford intro
duced a resolution to the effect that as
the agricultural committee had done
nothing with his bill that it be discharged
from further consideration of the sam
and the bill be returned to the senate,
there to be acted upon. When the read.
ing of tie resolution had concluded, Hunt
came in Tor a roasting from different SEN
ators for his want of action and after the
adjournment Hunt approached Crawford
and said Crawford, you havn't got even
a little bit of sense. The bill is not in
the hands of the agricultural committee,
but in the hands of the SUBJ committee. of
which you are chairman.
But I'm not chairman of the sub-com
mit'ee. " said Crawford. Senator Hum
phtey was"
That don't make any difference. l
appointed you chairman of that sub-com-
mittee and if you hadn't the nerve or the
sense TO retain it, why that's your own
fault. You let the matter slip through