The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-11
BURH|NG ISSUES Of THE DAY.
Affairs Of State and Nation
Discussed by Altgeld.
'Nesssge Of Illinois Governor TO
the Legislature.
ssssrssss Msas 20 the Great sssiks sd
Iss nRsss sn American Labor.
Justios In Large Cities.


Iovotes space to the condition of the various
Ntate institutions and makes numerous recon-
'nendations Among other things, he takes
up the question Of capital punishment, and
asks whether the death penalty does any sub.
otanlial good; whether we are any better off
shan they are in those states where it was long
aso abolished; whether 1t is not barbarous and
dakrading In its effects, and whether it, would
mot DO better to have more rational system
~ managing our prisons and abolishing capt.
~ punishment entirely"
Or the question of civil service, the governor
bays there is urgent need of legislation that
Will relieve executive officers. both state and
municipal, of the constant and Overwhelming
Nmportunity for place. he doubts the wisdom
~ system that forever keeps the same men
on the pay rolls. for it is not calculated to pro-
4uce the highest degree OF proficiency.
j. mean should be struck between the rete ten
Non OF incompetents and distribution OF spoiis
DENIAL OF JUSTICE.
The governor, speaking OF the administration
~ Justice in large cities, says the business In
The courts OF Chicago almost amounts to a de-
nial OF justice The whole system should be
toyersed and simplifed at once.
ditions surrounding the police and justice
;oourts In Chicago, which he d declares a dis
6iared, in its practical workings, to be giant
o{ injustice. The governor speaks at length OF
the manner in which the rich escape proper
Ing to the proper taxation of corporations.
He says the state board of equalization is
FAILURE and should be abolished. The COVER
NOR calls attention to the act providing that
sompanies formed for the publication OF news.
<Papers shan be assessed as toe property OF
DEfVAfe individuals is assessed. When care
Hully Examined 1t is found that only the tan
kible property can be assessed and many
newspaper corporations which have not much
<augible property but do have large business
.fhaf would sell for cash in the market and
which makes enormous profits, practically es-
rapes taxation.
LABOR TROUBLES.
8 Coming down to the settlement OF labor
Y troubles, the governor says the question o.
4 1ealing with them is q difncult one. No prac-
\ deal method Of enforcing decree Of compul-
bory arbitration has been fouu d, but there is
Z no dificulty in the way of making compul-
ory IN ever fSse saa w yeli as
corrective. Promptly asserting and making
public actual condition in each case arouses
the moral sentiment that often forces set
,Iement. The governor strongly urged legisla-
ltton ON this subject and also TO prevent labor
Pr being brought into the state by squaas, as
1umber who, being suddenly thrown out, be-
,ome public charge.
K Governor Altgeld speaks in terms OF highest
z,ommendation of the work of the Illinois Ma
;ional guard dnring the troubles OF the past
year. Taking up the question OF the great
<trfkes. he reviews the many reports which
nave been made, and says the placing OF the
United States troops on duty in Chicago. I'M
question OF the most far-reaching Importance.
The old doctrine of state rights, says the gov
zrnor, is in no way involved Nobody for
iinion. The great civil war settled that we
5hould not have anarchy 1t remains to be
5ettled whether we shall be destroyed by des-
lDotism. II the president can, at his pleasure,
In the first instance, send troops into city,
Town or hamlet under pretense OF enforcing
tome law his judgment being the sole erit e,
Ibis respect between the powers OF the presi-
lent and those OF Empetor William or the
4 If the acts OF the presidents are to stand I'M
challenged and thus form precedent, then
We have undergone complete change in our
4torm of government, and whatever semblance
i've may keep up in the future. our career as
republic is over. We will have rapidly in
:reasipg central power controlled ana domi,
natter Of special regret to many OF our patri-
,tic citizens that this blow at free institutions
vas placed in power by party that has made
iocal self -government cardinal principle for
more than century,
GOVERNMENT BY INJUNCTION.
Government by injunctions is dealt wit tn Sc
yerely by the governor, who says the usurpa-
Ion OF power on the part of the federal judic-
Iary has assumed form where it is destroying
Tho very foundatons of republican govern
nent These injunctions, he said, are a very
AN be had for the asking by a corporation
lawyer, and these were the processes of court
10 enforce which the president sent federal
II Governor Aitgeid speaks Of the numerous ar
tests for 'scontempt OF court made underthese
Injunctions. and of the fact that the federal
government, in spite of having at hand the
complete machinery Of justice found it neces-
ary 10 retain another attorney, and he an en-
,loyee Of one of the railroads involved in the
Never before were the United States govern
nent and corporations of the country SO COM
5lotely blended, and never before was the
3oddess of Justice made a mere handmade for
me Of the combatants 1t is evident that if
he attorney-eeneral OF the United States did
lot outline the policy that was pursued, it re-
eived his approval, and was carried out
through his assistance.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE LAW.
sWhen the interstate commerce law was
aken into court by the railroads afew days
70 these same federal judges proceeded to
loId section after section to be unconstitu-
ional until they made the law as harmless as
dead rabbit. Then after having nullified an
ct of congress, intended for the protection OF
he people, they turned around and made OF it
club with which to break the back of the
nan who toll with his hands. If both the con-
titution and our past experience are to be dis
eGarded and the federal courts permitted to set
IN and form new government, it would be
dually proper for the state courts to do so,
nd We sr na b su1 to toe An afairs w W be
exulated, not by law, but by the personal
lessure, prejudice or caprice Of the multitude
ssrhe marked feature of the age" says he,
has been consolidation. As they grow more
.owerful these trusts get beyond the control of
he government. Prompted by the instinct of
eIf-preservation the laborers Of the country
re trying TO form combinations. Trust mag
tafes are opposed to this and the federal
ourfs that have been the special guardians OF
corporations and combinations seem deter
aimed to crush labor organizations In recent
ears the constitution seems to have become
q fnsumountable barrier to every measure
Intended for the protection OF the public,
Thile its most plainly expressed provisions for
he protection of the liberty and the personal
irhfs of the citizens are blown away with
5reath.
DEATH BLOW TO AMERICAN LABOR
: This subserviency on the part Of the federal
udiciary when dealing with men who have to
ern their bread by the sweat of their brow Is
OF calculated to produce respect for the law
= III machinery. If these conditions con-
{uued the fate OF the American laborer is
ealed He must be reduced to the lowest con-
.ifions OF existence and this must destroy
own for with the destruction of the pur.
hazfnx power Of the American laborer will
i<xppeer our great American market. Fur
berrnore. this process must produce dfscon-
enf disturbance and hatred and Will greatly
Increase eozt of government and consequently
axes. Russiauizing government IS an ex.
:enslye business and has never yet succeeded
mot even in Russia
4 s<Our government is not in the slightest dan
Ter from the anarchy of a mob Our danger
1omes from thGt corruption, usurpation. IN
5tvency and oppression that go hand in hand
9Th vast concentration of wealth wfel1ed
unscrnpHIous men and 1t behooves every
riend Of republican institutions 10 give these
hings most serious confederation
/.