Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-27
OUR CAPITAL LETTER.
Legislative Discussion of the
Worlds Fair.
What Part the state OF Illinois Ought
Properly 20 TAX mments ON
the Appropriatian-Cra
ford A gain.


ties and uncertainties, its perlls and its
generals, its committees and its managers
and even its Secretary Couzins. is Great
Ing good deal of noise throughout the
state. and outside of Chicago. no place in
that respect can hold a candle TO SPRING
field. There is money in the business
and somebody wants to get cinch on the
ducais, but just how 10 manage ii is
puzzling question. II had generally been
conceded all along until recently that the
legislature would make an appropriation
OF the most liberal charscter-a million at
lesst-not only TO set good example to
other states. but to provide an ample
fund for all the purposes of the exhibi.
ton. II was not the intention that the
appropriation should be used just because
il was appropriated, but that in case of
emergency or TO meet any exigency that
might arise. the money should be availa.
bic. Il was proposed. too, that the state
board of agriculture should have charge
OF the states exhibit and to do whatever
il thought necessary in the premises, and
the majority of people looked upon this
as piece OF wisdom, when, 10 and be-
hold, one fine morning Representative Ed
Merritt introduced his bill asking an ap-
preparation of 500 GOO for the purpose
and that the whole matter be taken out of
the hands of the board of agriculture and
placed in those of number OF commis
sioners appointed for that purpose.
What's the matter with the agricultural
bosrdI is being asked by good many.
Is it not created for just such pur,
poses, but perhaps On 10, quite so
large a scaleI 1t is non-political
body of % members, as almost ANYBODY
knows, one for each of the different con-
gressional districts of the state as well as
its two United States senators. The ex
hibii Of the state Viii be principally sgri
culture, horticulture and kindred affairs
everything pertaining TO the production
OF the SOIL including live stock, etc The
products OF the mines, whether coal or
otherwise, ss well as geological displays,
VIII Re added, of course, and Al is 10 these
that Illinois will point with pride Her
machinery, agricultural and all other. will
be closely allied TO those, including manu-
factory of every description, and in fact
al matters and THU g of the most practi-
ca. arc lesst estbetic kind l. is not ex-
pected that the world will stand in awe
al the art display of Illinois. but what
ever she may do in that respect or any
other tfat the state board would not be
supposed 10 be thoroughly or sufficiently
cOnversant with, the intention is aud hss
been ell along to appoint proper persons
to take such matters in charge, just as
the geological, educational. historical and
other departments OF the state are In the
care of competent hands at present.
Others might be added whenever the &C.
css!on demanded. bu, all nevertheless to
be under the general supervision of the
board. That is practical and sensible. is
1t not? But then the cry was raised that
this large appropriation would 60 into
the hands of this so called irresponsible
body and they would squauder it at it's
own sweet Will. Let us see. The money
would still be ia the hands of Treasurer
Wilson and every demand made upon the
appropriation would have TO pass through
the hands of the governor, and auditor
and Secretary Garrard, and the Lord
only knows how many others, to be ex-
amined. scrutinized and approved before
one dollar could be called forth. The
board is composed of nine democrats aud
thirteen republicans, but politics is never
mentioned OF limited of even. There is
SO much ignorance Of the politics of each
other that some of them who have been
serving together for years never took in
terest enough To find out, and sometime
ago when Secretary Garrard made it
known to member that he was dyed
in>the-wool democrat. the member said
il was the first time he had ever given the
matter thought. But further, Ed Mer-
ritt's bill asks that the appropriation of
$500, 900 be placed in the hands and at
the disposal of q man who would be I'M
der bond Of $50. 900 only!
is not likely that Merritt's measure
will ever be flied, but instead that the
Legislature. will grant the million dollars
asked for and the whole matter of the ex
hibit placed in the hands of the state
board
Some are inclined to think that the
session will last some six weeks longer as
there is so much business of importance
that demands immediate attention, while
others incline 10 the feeling that after
some matters Of absolute necessity have
received the requisite attention that the
states law makers should put up the
shutters. lock the door. make for the
rain and show their passes to the con-
ductor. There is big chunk of wisdom
q the latter idea.
Statesman Crawford. from your diss
irict, introduced bill in the senate to.
day to assist farmers in holding county
Institutes for educational purposes; also
10 develop the agricultural resources of
this state. and for appropriating moneys
therefor. You can see BY this how that
man is developing. His breadth of men
tai grasp sees the necessity of the farmers
becoming educated. Look at the lofty
heights have scaled. he can say to his
trother agriculturalists, b'gosh A RAM
pant republican paper here said last week
that Crawford meant well, and the Rock
Island senator was so overcome that be
hurried down 10 the Office and laid PEN
Nv on the editors desk and said he would
see him later. F.J.D.
a Zeal BALKAN IL Kemp's Balsam