The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-12
RETIRING GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS
IGNORED IN THE INAUGURATION
OF TANNER.
ADDRESS ALL PREPARED.
PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE .rOINT
SESSION REFUSED HIM A
HEARING.
Motfon TO Call on the Late Executive
for an Address Ruled Oat of
Order,

SPRINGFIELD, H., Jan. 1.-THE
inauguration of Gov. Tanner today de-
Veloped sensation at the close of
the state house ceremonies when the
retiring governor, John P. Altgeld. was
not permitted to deliver the farewell
address which has been one of the
features Of previous inaugurations in
Illinois. Gov. Altgeld had prepared
his speech; it had been given a place
on the printed programme and much
interest had centered in it's anticipated
delivery. The snub was made the more
painful to the ex-governor and his
friends from the fact that Mrs Altgeld
occupied seat beside him on the stage
and shared in the confusion resulting
from the affair.
Early in the course of the exercises
1T was moved that Mr.. Altgeld be re-
quested to address the joint assembly
present at the inauguration. Speaker
curtis, OF the lower house, declared the
motion out of order and subsequently
refused to recognize any Democratic
member who attempted to address the
chair The majority of the members
of the joint assembly and the large
audience did not appreciate the sig
nificance of this course until a motion
to adjourn was carried and put AN I'M
expected end to the ceremonies without
the retiring governor having had an
opportunity to deliver the address
which he carried with him to the stage.
Much indignation was expressed at
the snub and the Democratic members
tonight hiftpr, in
ton of what they term an Outrageous
insult, while some of the Republican
leaders declare that the whole affair
was nothing more nor less than an
oversight on the part of the speaker
in failing to call upon Mr.. Altgeld for
his speech. Ex-Gov. Altgeld left the
state house Immediately upon the con-
clusion of the inaugural ceremony and
returned to Chicago without permitting
himself to be interviewed upon the af-
fair. His friends were very indignant
and asserted that the supposed insult
would not injure the ex-governor in the
least, but would have contrary eff
feet.
Chicago, Jan. 11.-William ]. Bryan
arrived in Chicago early this morning
on a business trip. A representative
of the Associated Press tonight asked
him if he had read of the slight offered
to Gov Altgeld by the legislature. He
replied:
II have just noticed in an evening
paper that the Legislature refused to
hear the retiring governar. If It
Is true that the Republicans did this
in order to show their dislike for Gov.
Altgeld it will probably result, as such
insults always do, in more harm to
those who offer it than to the person
against whom it was directed
The fact that Gov. Altgeld ran
ahead of the national ticket in this
state is evidence that his defeat was
not due to personal hostility to him,
and l hardly think the people will ap-
prove of any slight offered to him in
his official position
EX-Gov. Altgeld with his wife ar
rived from Springfield tonight Dis
cussing the treatment he received at
the capitol during the inaugura ton
ceremonies, the ex-governor said: 1T
Is not personal question. 1t is a
question of decency and Of observing
some of the forms considered important
In republican government. The Gus
tom has grown up of having the retir-
Ing executive both participate in the
inauguration and make a brief address;
and If he were to refuse to do this,
he would be charged with failing to
rise to the occasion. So, on the other
hand, if the incoming party refuses to
permit him to speak, it simply shows
It's inability to grasp or to meet IL e
higher requirements Of republican
government"