The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-22
THE CITY AND THE STATE.

The contest which is going on be-
tween the city of Chicago and the state
of Illinois over what is known as the
Humphreys bill, a measure intended
especially to apply to the chief city of
the state is the same old contest which
has been Waged for centuries. Cities
have ever tried to regulate their own
affairs in their own way and the state
has as persistently interfered. In Ger
many at one time this strife ended in
the establishment of what were known
as Free Cities. Already in this country
a movement has been started to make
of New York city aseparate state. Chi
cago may feel it necessary to adopt
similar plan if she feels that she is be-
ing treated unfairly. There is always
some way of righting an actual wrong.
In Indiana the courts have just de-
cided that a city may grant a charter
to a corporation but cannot take it
away. That can be done only by the
legislature. The question arose in con-
nection with the war between the city
of Indianapolis and her street car COM
panies
In view of the powers Of legislatures
to interfere in matters which concern
directly but a small number of the
mem bers it is not surprising that ex-
Governor Altgeld said at a meeting of
Chicago citizens held for the purpose
of protesting against legislative action
inimical to the city's interests:
7 want to remind you that for years
it has been almost an impOssibility to
get any measure passed by the legisla-
ture of Illinois unless it's backed by ire
mendOuS influence or by DOODLE There
are still many excellent men in the leg
islature, but they are in the minority.
Most of the men that go there now tell
you they do not go for their health,
they go there for business"
The resolutions passed at this meet
ing were as follows:
Be it resolved by the citizens Of Chi
cagO in mass meeting assembled, that
every representative and senator from
Cook county who votes for the Humph-
reys bill is a public enemy and that he
be treated as traitor to his constltu-
entS in his public and private life, and
that his name be Judas, for that he
sold his master, the people, for few
pieces of silver, and that the price OF
his treason be spent, together with the
remainder of his blasted life apart from
the constituency that he has betrayed,
and that although respect for the law
may prevent the personal violence due
a burglar, be it
Resolved, That we, citizens here as
sembled, SOlemnly, steadfastly and un-
forgettingly,set about to teach the peo-
pie the wrong done them to the end
that deserved infamy and ultimate ruin
may mercilessly dog the steps of public
thieves.
Kansas is experiencing the same
clash between state and municipal
authority in the matter of the metro
politan police law. Nebraska but re-
Gently passed a law which puts almost
the entire management of Omaha's af-
fairs in the hands of the state. If the
powers of states over cities were never
exercised except for the cities good all
would be well but unfortunately spec
ial interests are able to control enough
members who have no direct interest in
the matter to work great harm as is
being attempted through the Humph-
reys bill in Illinois.