Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-01-11
"OUT THEY GO, IN WE CO."
The Procedure at Springfield in the Prai-
rie State-AltgeId's Address

The Procedure at Springfield in the Prai-
rie State-AltgeId's Address
SPRINGFIELD, Jan. l1.-Probably $4,000
Democrats from all parts of the state came
to this city yesterday to see the Democracy
resume sway after years of exile in the
state government. 1t was jolly crowd
most enthusiastically happy throng, for
to them Babylon is fallen and wese
gwine to occupy de land The day was
fine, the procession of Democratic clubs,
etc, very imposing and the capitol very
beautifully decorated.
Cheered the New Governor.
The Inauguration took place in the
chamber OF the house and here, amid the
cheers of the packed audience, Governor
elect Altgeld appeared and took the oath
Of Office that made him chief executive of
the state for four years. With him were
sworn in the other state officers elected at
the same time, and that ceremony being
over the new governor proceeded to read
his inaugural address.
AltgeId Reviews History.
The governor began his inaugural with
a reference to the history of the state. say
ing that during the period of Democratic
ascendency the foundations were laid for
all the blessings which the state had since
enjoyed. he also referred to the change Of
administration and the honorable part the
state took in the war for the Union. The
richness of the soil had attracted immigra-
tion from all parts of the world, and in
material prosperity the state scarcely had
n rival anywhere. This prosperity, he
said, had been gained in spite of unjust
and injurious governmental policies
The Question of Education.
N,.lrt bat OF I.I
had been called again to power and was
confronted by many important problems,
among them compulsory education. OF
this important matter the governor said
that we "have a statute passed four years
ago, known as the compulsory education
act, which Is no part of our common school
system and which violates the fundament-
al principles of free government. 1t will
be our duty to not only repeal this act at
as early dav as practicable but to provide
in its place another law thatt shall be free
from the objections that apply to this and
which shall make ample provisions for the
care of neglected children. The state can
not permit children to grow up or the
street. learning nothing but the rudiments
of crime and learning nothing to fit them
for the discharge of even the ordinary
duties of American citizenship. even that
OF SeII-HldlnLen8nCe.
Interest on the Public Funds
The governor then passed to the question
as to who should have the interest on pub
lie funds. He declared his opinion that the
public should, and he advocated a general
law providing that salaries of officers who
have custody of public money shall be
per centage of the amount of money they
handle, and au interest shall belong to the
public. He urged reform in procedure of
magistrates courts, which courts he said
could do great violence to the rights of the
citizens and frequently did so. He called
attention to some of the evils of the system
as it exists, c"d urged a reform of the same.
Compulsory Labor Arbitration.
He expressed himself in favor of nom
partisan management of public institu-
tions; advocated a compulsory arbitra-
tion law which shall have power to settle
disputes between labor and capital, refer
ing to which system he said: There seems
to be no doubt about the right of the state
to make a thorough investigation and
render decision, but the difficulty arises
in enforcing the decision. The state cannot
compel an unwilling employer to run his
shop, nor can it compel unwilling employees
TO go to work. The state may compel an
employer who disregarded its decision and
persisted in operating his works to pay the
expense of any special protection he re-
ceived. On the other hand, if employees
should refuse to go to work in accordance
with the terms of decision, the state can
give its entire power in protecting the en-
ployer in hiring new men, but the moral
influence alone of state decision would in
many cases be sufficient to end strike.n
4 Word About PiDkertons.
RefarriDcr n ha nhliuofiop If he cto%a 90
protect its citizens in their rights during
strikes the governor said: MANY civil
officers have shown disposition to shir6
their duty during a strike, ann this has been
followed By the introduction of an IRE
sponsible armed force controlled by pri-
vate individuals. The presence of these
armed strangers always acts as an irrita-
ton and TENDS to provoke riot and disorder,
and we should take warning by the expe-
rience of SON of our sister states and alb
solutely prohibit the use of these armed
merceDaries " private corporations or in
dividuals. At the same time we shouli
see to it that the civil officers do their
duty"
Matters Worth Looking Into.
The fact that large number of insane
was scattered about the state in poorhouses
was noted as worthy of attention; legisla-
tion against the sweating system was ad-
vocated; municipal ownership of everything
used by the general public in cities was
suggested a. a matter TO be examined. a
good word Was said for good roads: pro
vision for the employment of convict labor
SO as not to compete with free labor was
urged on the legislatures atten-
ton; a fair redistricting of the
state was urged; heavy tax on estates
of deceased persons, heavy fees for corpora.
tions on org- aization, and general over.
hauling of the revenue system of the sta !.
are commended to the notice of the Iecis-
lature; which is finally asked to take less
time "off" an work more continuously 4
Il used DR. Bulls Cough Syrup in my