Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-01-14
ALTGELD's INAUGURAL.
The Governors Message Delivered to TIL
General Assembly.

The Governors Message Delivered to the
General Assembly.
Following is the text of the inaugural ad-
dress of Governor Altgeld:
1t has become the custom for each incoming
executive to deliver an inaugural address de-
filming his position on public measures, and. to
a limited extent outlining the policy of the
new administration. In order to obetter under
stand the present, we will glance for a moment
at the past.
The policy of the State of Illinois was di-
rected almost wholly by one of the great eX-
listing political parties during the greater por-
tion OF the time from 1918, when it was ad-
mitted to the Union, until near the begin
ming of the civil war This was the formative
period, during which the foundations of
our institutions were in great part laid
and those broad and liberal politics relating to
education, internal improvements the free
dom of conscience and OF speech, the rights of
the citizens, the protection of property, and
the welfare of the masses were not only
adopted, but became so firmly rooted that
their subsequent growth, rs well as the deVel-
Opment and greatness of the State was as
sured. 1t was during this time that our COM
mon school system, the bulwark of free insti-
tutions, was founded and munlfcently en-
dowed in order that we might in time have
the best schools in the world During this
time the State fostered system Of in
ternal improvements so as to encourage
and hasten the development of our great natu-
raj resources. it not only caused the con
structiOn OF a canal to connect the great lakes
with the Mississippi system, but II enCour-
aged the building of railroads so as to bring
remote parts of the State close together Not
withstanding its youth, Illinois then excelled
almost every other State in that regard. At
the same time the interests of the public were
carefully guarded. IT was during this period
that an arrangement was made with
the Illinois Central Railroad company
in pursuance Of which il now pays an
nuallr nearly half a million of dollars
into the State Treasury. Then came a change
of party control, and soon thereafter the civil
war. The young State, which had led in the
development OF civil institutions. took an
equally patriotic and aggressive stand in favor
OF upholding the Union, and gave a greater per
cent. Of its population to carry on the war
han almost any other state; and we now have
q home for the aged heroes who were disabled
in war which Is supported by the Hberality of
the state. and II will be our duty to see that
this worthy object Of a states bounty is fairly
and literally treated
The richness of our soil has attracted hus-
baudmen from all quarters OF the globe. Our
great mineral resources and central location
have drawn the manufacturers Of almost every
kind of goods great railroads traverse nearly
all parts of the State. while. owing to the push
and enterprise of our people, our commercial
interests are scarcely rivaled in the world
The present condition OF our people both in
the state and in the nation ts an illustration
OF the fact that in this country the people are
greater than the government. and that they
can attain reasonable degree OF prosperity
and happiness IN spite OF unjust and injurious
governmental policies. The recent action Of
our people az the polls l. warning that their
patience has limit. and that they can not be
long fed on empty and deiusive promises
They demand Of their servants that honesty
and good faith which every empower has "A
right 90 expect at the hands OF those who serve
him.
Now. after an interval Of more than thirty
wears that political party which guided the
councils of the state in its earlier history
again assumes control Of its destinies and we
are confronted hy number uf important
problems. which. tur their proper solution re-
Hulfe rHlnHtaklnE Investigation and deliberate
luiGmrnt These must all 81 treated bV gene.
fal lawa iutsmueh aa special legislation n not
nulF prohibited FF our constitution hut h. al
taguHi tlr to hf Wncfafie principles
Education
uuF uraf educational sfHfom la 50 ueu
srHHHAHI tatN #Ath tHe ekHHptinH uf aaafd.
HHI UsHIlIsafnre In HnHr IHaaItIfs. Do IS Wufk.
Ius faaf.HsHIf aelL tHH iHf.hnf Improvement
aNi HHUrH4 .Nf- HiHH ftH fmUiffiUH ~ ihHaa
HNu .Hr IlIaI.H9 En- IHHf .ff HnH tnrIT eHHfta
Ell .HaaH INE I... HA f .sNaIlHHUs EhHH
# HH HWH Hsa'IHa NHt ~ hate aesafHft.
sf i.HHt PEE e.HlH'
Na'iNH H.t .HHia
tN. HHtfs
HI
Hl