Rock Island daily Argus., 1893-01-12

in State Legislation Proposed.
EPRIVGFIELD. ILL Jan. 12 Govern
or John P Altgeld inaugural address is
herewith given in full. Il is acknowl-
edged to be one of the ablest documents
ever handed down BY an executive of the
state:
1t has become the custom for each incoming
executive TO deliver an inaugural address de-
hning his position on public measures and, to
limited extent outlining the policy of the new
administration shah follow this custom, al
though realize that in this busy age compara-
lively few people pay any attention to inaugu-
raj addresses, but that both men and parties
are judged by what they actually do, rather
than by what they profess or promise In order
10 better understand the present, we will glance
for moment at the past
The policy of the state OF Illinois IVES directed
almost wholly by one of the great existing Po-
htical parties during the greater portion OF the
time from 1915, when it was admitted to the
union, until near the beginning 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 policies
relating TO education, internal improvements,
tne freedom OF conscience and OF speech, the
rights OF the citizens, the protection of proper
ty and the welfare of the masses were not only
adopted, but became so firmly rooted that their
subsequent growth, as well as the development
and greatness OF the state, were assured. 1t
was during this time that our common school
system, the bulwark OF free institutions, was
founded and munifcently endowed in order
that we might in time have the best schools in
the world. During this time the state fos-
tered a system OF internal improvements, so as
TO encourage and hasten the development OF our
great natural resources 1t not only caused the
construction OF canal TO connect the great
lakes with the Mississippi system, but 1t en-
couraged the building OF railroads so as to bring
remote parts Of the state close together. Not
withstanding its youth Illinois then ex-
celled almost every other state in that
regard. AT the same time the interests
of the public were carefully guarded. 1t
was during this period that an arrangement
WAS made with the Illinois Central Railroad
company in pursuance OF which IL now paws
annually nearly half million in the state treas
ury. Then came change OF party control, and
soon thereafter the civil war The young state,
which had led in the development OF civil insti-
tutons, took an equally patriotic and aggres-
gave greater per cent of its population TO
carry on the war than almost any other state;
and we now have home for the aged heroes
who were disabled in war, which is supported
by the liberality OF the state and it 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-
bandmen 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, is an Illus tration OF the
fact that in this country the people are greater
than the government and that they can attain
reasonable degree OF prosperity and happi-
ness in spite Of unjust and injurious govern
mental policies. The recent action of our peo-
pie at the polls is a warning that their patience
has a limit, and that they cannot be long fed on
empty and delusiye promises. They demand Of
their servants that honesty and good faith
which every employer has q right TO expect at
the hands OF those who serve him.
Now, after an interval OF more than thirty
years, that political party which guided the
councils OF the state in its earlier history again
assumes control OF its destinies, and we are
,FnAE
which, for their proper solution, require pains
taking investigation and deliberate Judgment
These must all be treated by general laws, in
asmuch as special legislation Is not only pro-
hibited by our constitution, but is antagonStic
TO democratic principles
Education.
Our great educational system Is so well
grounded that, with the exception of wasteful
extravaganza in some localities, IL is working
reasonably well. Its farther improvement will
depend more upon the emulation OF those who
are laboring in that field and their efforts to
reach the highest degree Of excellence than it
will upon legislation. But we have statute
PASSED four years ago. known as the
part OF our common school system and
which violates the fundamental principles of
free government 1t will be our duty, not only to
repeal this act at as early day as practicable,
out TO provide In Its place another law that
shall be free from the objections that apply to
for the care OF neglected children. The state
cannot permit children to grow up on the street,
learning nothing but the rudiments OF crime
and learning nothing to ft them for the dis
charge OF even the ordinary duties OF American
citizenship, even that OF self-mainten ance.
Public Funds.
The question as to who shall have the inter-
est on public funds calls for the attention OF
the legislature. While il may be true that the
law does not contemplate that the funds shall
be deposited at interest in banks, it is a motor
ious fact that all cuStodians of public funds
actually draw interest on the balance OF such
funds When the sums held were smaller, the
matter attracted but little attention, but condi-
tions have changed. The salary paid the Gus.
todians whether of state, county, city, park,
scnool or other public funds, having
been fixed when the amounts held
entirely disproportionate to the bond
which has to be- given and the respon-
ing, as part of his compensation, the interest
upon the public funds in his custody, but as
this Is In most cases many times great as a
reasonable compensation would be, the excess
should belong TO and be accounted for as part
of the public funds and, inasmuch as the con-
stltution will not permit the salary
his term of office, and as th5
terms Of most Of the custodians OF public
moneys whether state county city, school or
other public funds, brief, in my Judgment
the proper course will be to provide by general
law, that all such custodians that may hereafter
be elected or appointed and qualified shall be
paid salary TO be determined by per cent of
the amount of money they handle, and that all
interest or increment earned by the fund in
accounted for.
Liberty of the Citizen.
Practically, there is at present neither magma
charta nor bill of rights for the poor of our
great cities. They have to submit TO insult, as
sault and false Imprisonment, and have no rem
edy, except suit at law which takes from
three TO five years and requires time
and money to prosecute, they are prac-
tically without any remedy Any man.
rich or poor, taken into our higher
courts, no matter OF what charge, can have a
jury trial and full and fair hearing
before sentence can be pronounced against him.
but in the magistrates court they deprive him
OF jury trial by requiring him to advance the
jury Zee which, when poor, he cannot do. so that
he is compelled to submit to any thing the mag
istrate may do, which frequently means any
thing that police ofiicer may wish to have
done. In the city Of Chicago, where there are a
number OF magistrates sitting ut the same
time, there are from thirty 10 fifty men
and women tried by one magistrate in from one
to two hours every day The proceedings are
not under the criminal laws as u rule. but fines
are imposed, and when these are not promptly
paid Imprisonment follows, just as II would in o
""S" OF conviction for crime in the higher