The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-07-31
THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.
4 DISGRACEFUL EXHIBITION,
They Refuse to Investigate the
Charges of Corruption Against
Themselves.

Themselves.
Is it not pleasant to cut into ulcers
welding the knife with one hand
while holding your nose with the
other. But it is sometimes neces-
sary work
The Legislature of the state of Illi-
nois has been for some months past
sorry spectacle for gods and men. The
governor Of the state has openly
charged that "boodle" had been used.
by the corporations, to corrupt it, and
secure the passage of bills, relating to
the city of Chicago, which enabled
railroad and other companies to COM
bine and prevent competition. The
governor, Altgeld, vetoed the bills and
desperate efforts were made to pass
them over his veto. The Speaker of
the House who was the leader of the
gang, was so wrought up by the ex-
elements Of the time that he took
sick and died, and went up to heaven
to explain his course. or down to the
other place to eXplate 1T.
A member Of the House, a Colonel
Merriam, brought in. the other day, a
strong series of resolutions, reciting
the fact that "the public press, OF
both political parties, has repeatedly
charged that large sums Of money
have been solicited by Members" and
"cOnsidera BILE amounts paid them to
influence legislation" and providing
therefore for committee Of investi-
cation. But the resolutions we're
voted down! Here is part of the re-
port in the Chicago Times Herald of
July "a.
Springfield, ILL.,, July 23.-By refus-
ing to entertain resolution provid-
ing for an Investigation of corrupt
practices alleged to have been COM
mitted during the regular session, the
House Of Represe tatives to-day COW
cred itself with mantle of cowardice
and practically pleaded guilty to the
charges that have been made against
its integrity. Taking advantage Of a
parliamentary rule, providing that no
resolution can be presented out Of it's
regular order without the consent of
two-thirds of the members present
and voting, the gang was enabled to
prevent the introduction of Colonel
Merriam's Doodle investigating reso-
luton, although large majority Of
the house, embracing the honest men,
bers of both parties, was in favor Of
suspending the rules and permitting
it's introduction.
For nearly week the gang has been
in state of panic and has resorted to
every plea and subterfuge known to
men OF their class, to prevent Colonel
Merriam from carrying out his pur-
pose Of exposing the boodlers and
purging the general assembly of the
charge of permitting such practices
to go UNPUBLISHED. APPOINTMENTS,
have been used by turns to avert the
blow. When it fen the only thing to
do was to braZenly place themselves
on record before the people of Illinois
as accepting the charges made against
them rather than submit to an inves-
tigation Of those charges. 1t requires
two-thirds majority Of quorum to
suspend the rules, in order to intro
duce a resolution out of its regular Or
der. Under the rules of the house
the introduction of resolutions stands
No. IA in the order of business, and
could not be reached before the close
of the session. The gang has been
resting securely behind this parlia-
mentary brestwork. When Colonel
Merriam stormed it to-day they were
taken uawares and were compelled to
show their true colors in the roll call,
which the doughty veteran from
TaZewell forced down their unwilling
threats. The roll call showed sixty
votes in favor of the motion suspend
ing the rules, while thirty-eight we're
registered against it, These thirty
eight members do not comprise the
entire list OF those afraid Of the Mer-
riam searchlight, for tifty-four mem
bers were recorded as absent or not
voting. A large number Of these
were, in fact, present and remained
silent when their names were called
On the first call but eighteen mem,
bers had the hardihood to vote in the
negative. Crafts, Morris, Berry and
Hawley, the ex-"big FOUR" lodged the
first call, but when it was discovered
that the motion was likely to carry
they demanded a call of the absen
tees, and after voting mo- themselves
hustled up enough Of their skulkin2
followers to defeat the motion.
We do not allude to this shameful
record because the Legislature of Hi
nois is Republican, and was elected by
an immense majority on the tidal
wave OF Republican triumph last
year, but because it is typical of an
universal condition. All government
in this country is rotten and corrupt
there may be degrees Of difference in
the different states, but the disease is
omni-present. And the legislators are
debauchable because the people are
already debauched by the Money pow
er, which for its own ends has taught
the voters that bribery is right; and
that honor and truth are ''iridescent
dreams" No relief can come from
either of the old parties, (now practi-
cally one parity, because their ma
chinery is in the hands Of the corrupt
enemies of liberty and honesty.
There must be resurrection of pub
lie virtue, from the ranks of the COM
mon people, or the republic is lost,
and the shadow turned backward on
the dial of time. We have that resur-
rection already, in the shape Of the
Peoples Party. If all honest men
will come to its rescue it will redeem
the world, and save mankind from an
archy and barbarism.
LYING ON GUNPOWDER AND
WIND