Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-01-05


able contest between the legislative |
and executive branches of the Govern |
ment, gave an unqualified and unwav- |
ering support to the Congressional pol |
icy Of reconstruction. Having been |
appointed to the responsible position |
of Chairman Of the Committee on
Territories. he was the first to recog. |
nize the necessity of promptly dealing
with the difficult question growing out
of the practice Of polygamy in Utah.
He introduced bill on this subject, en-.
titled "An act in aid of the execution Of
the laws" providing stringent meas
ures for the suppression of that twin |
relic of barbarism." and succeeded In
securing its passage by the House. He
also. much to the qualification of his
immediate constituents. secured an ap-
preparation of S320,OO0 for the con-
struction of Federal building at
Springfield. which not only met long
felt want. but at the time of It's erec-
tion. was regarded as one of the archi.
tcctural attractions of that beautiful
inland city.
Cullom was reelected in 1866, and
again in 1S6S. but in 1870 factious
opposition to him had been fomented.
which resulted In the nomination of an
other candidate and in the loss of the
district to the Republicans.
In 1872 he was again returned as a
member of the state Legislature. and,
being the unanimous choice Of his par
~. was once more elected speaker. In
1874 he was, for the fourth time, the
chosen representative of SangamOn
County In the General Assembly, and
would undoubtedly again have sue
cecded to the speakership but for the
successful combination of independents
and Democrats. which controlled the
organization.
1t was at this time that the friends
of Mr.. Cullom began to put forward
his name as candidate for Governor
of the Prairie state. His fitness for
the position. by reason of his ability
and large experience in public affairs.
although yet q young man, was ad-
mittcd on all hands, and when the
state convention met in the centennial
year. It was found that a large major
| ity of the delegates We're favorable
to his nomination. His election fol-
lowed i'm the autumn and his Inaugural
ton at the beginning of the succeed
| ing year.
In the administration Of the state
government Gov. Cullom developed the
highest qualities of statesmanship. was
able to keep expenditures within due
and economical bounds. to discharge
the last cent of state Indebtedness and
to exercise an intelligent supervision
over the several State institutions. pc
nal and rcformatOry. These were the
tasks to the accomplishment of which
he bent the best powers of his mind.
Wherever the interests of the state
fell within the purvicw of the exccu-
tive department.. the most patient and
thoughtful attention was bestowed
upon them. TO preside over great
commonwealth like that of Illinois,
surprising in wealth, Importance and
resources many of the minor states
of Europe. In such n way that every
department and bureau shall work In
concert In the development OF the NOR
al and material progress Of mighty
people, requires not only the guiding
hand Of practical experience, but also
rare wisdom In the selection OF men
and measures best adapted to secure
the desired result.
At the end OF his four years admin
istration Of State affairs not a word
could be urged against the Governors
policy even by his political foes, and he
was elected to serve n second consecu-
tive term. the first instance OF such a
reelection in the history Of the State.
The expiration of the term Of David
Davis as United States Senator from
Illinois In March. 1888, suggested the
election of u Republican to succeed
him. Notwithstanding the fact that
Cullom was only midway through his
second gubernatOrial term, and was,
in measure, under obligations to
serve during the remainder OF the pc.
rlod for which he was elected, the Re
publican caucus nominated him to rep
resent Illinois In the United States
Senate, and he was accordingly elect
cd The comforting upon him Of this
the highest honor within the gift OF a
State Legislature was not the result
Of the manipulation Of party machin-
cry, but was rather the reward for
: faithful and meritorious services rem
: dered to the State in various capacities
during the preceding years.
, He was again elected to the Senate
l In 1882 and in 1895 was elected to his
! third senatorial term, which he now
: fills. Perhaps his senatorial career has
' been brought most prominently before
: the public through his introduction anC
! championship Of the interstate com
+ mcrce BILL which he successfully pilot
: ed through both houses of Congress
2 The Importance, If not the necessity
: of governmental control of railways
\ had long been recognized, but the per
Y sistcnt agitation had no practical out
Y come, and very little had been done OI
the subject in the Senate until tn,
: task was assumed by the Senator from
=. Illinois. The opposition to this class o
: legislation was exceedingly difficult Il
I overcome, and 1t required the utmos
g tactical skill to insure success. How
: this was eventually compassed by Sen
i atOr Cullom Is n matter of history, ful
[ of interest, but which lack of spac
: forbids describing at length. Suilic