New-York tribune., 1901-01-07
TOPICS IN CHICAGO.
THE SENATORIAL FIGHT OF ABSORB
ING INTEREST," GRAND JrJRY
sTIRs Up THE MAYOR AND THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.

srst engage the attention of the Illinois General
assembly. which is TO convene next "Wednesday
the election OF United States Senator and oe
a Speaker of the House-both of which have
threatened TO disrupt the Republican party in
+be state. The Senatorial contest of course
viii overshadow everything else until it is con-
euded. Under the Federal statute the first hal
LOT win be taken on Tuesday January % ana
it is probable that the Senatorial caucus will he
held the preceding Thursday. Senator ct,llom
the veteran statesman, who is a candidate for
reelection. and who has the support of the hest
element Of his party throughout the State has
been in Springfield since last Thursday. per-
sonalIy looking after his interests and has
thoroughly canvassed the situation Al tbe end
Of the review the Senator did not attempt to
conceal his satisfaction with the outlook. and
freely declared his complete confidence of re-
election. Graeme Stewart. one of Senator cuI-
Ioms closest friends and supporters. is equally
satisfied that the first ballot will show a clear
majority for the present incumbent R,,t -
must be admitted that the fight will be a closer
one than any since Mr.. Cullom was first elected
10 the National Senate That the various candi-
dates have succeeded in arousing their support
eTs enthusiasm to the highest pitch was shown
by the unprecedented gathering of politicians
in the State capital early as the middle OF
last week. By Wednesday every hotel in Sprinp-
field was crowded with politicians from all narts
Of the State. and 10 disinterested observer If
looks as if the veteran Senator from Illinois
will have to fight the battle of his life. Six
years ago. when Mr.. Cullom sought reelection
for the third time, William E. Mason. now
Junior Senator from illinois, was for a time a
dangerous opponent, but this was before the
outbreak Of the Tanner-CuIIom feud. and John
r. Tanner. who was then chairman Of the Re-
publican State Central Committee, assumed per
sonal charge OF Mr.. Cullom's campaign which
eventually assured his reelection before the
caucus opened. Now Mr. Tanner. with all in
fuences at the command of capable and willy
politician, stands ready to sacrifice everything
If need be 70 defeat his former political running
mate. 1t may be safely predicted that the con-
test viii be a close one.
Never have Chicago officials been arraigned
in severer terms than those used by the last
Grand Jury, which completed its labors and
made its final report on the last day of the old
year. Responsibility for most OF the crime in
Chicago is laid at the door of Mayor Carter III.
Harrison and the Police Department The re-
port constitutes what is known locally as "a
moral indictment" and a much more scathing
one than has ever before been recorded here
The December Grand Jury fully believed there
are persons in the city employ who ought to be
indicted, but against whom sufficient evidence
could not be obtained. II expressed the belief
that immunity is extended to the vicious and
criminal classes" and that 'the city authorities
must be held directly responsible for existing
conditions" II is the opinion of the Grand Jury
that this deplora bic condition of affairs IS due
@ laxity OF discipline in the Police Department
ne pubic interests. it says. ARE not safe in the
hanos OF officers whose Indifference and ieno-
rance amount TO incompetency.' 1t gives as an
AlsuaUlon the fact that the Chief Of Police
and several inspectors swore that there yyere
no saloons open after midnight while the Mavor
ssofe that the midnight closing ordinance had
long been dead letter. The responsibility for
maintaining in office men who are manifesfIv
ignorant and indifferent. and ito whose incom-
among the rank and file must rest the Grand
J Jurors say, upon the Mayor" The resuIt Of
me keelhauling has been the strict enforcement
OF nearly every blue law" upon the statutes
and especially the closing of every drinking
place IN the city promptly at midnight Some
hesitation was shown in obevinc the yoi6nigtt
closing orders. which are almost unprecedanfe5
IN the history Of Chicago. and about thirty
saloonkeepers have had warrants sworn out
against them in consequence.
Mayor Harrison declares that the midnight
closing agitation and the anti-vice crusade
have been conducted largely for political pur-
poses. Chicago, he declares has never fulfilled
want certain Of the city ordinances rigidly en-
forced. He calls public attention TO an evil
which he declares rs far greater than all of the
lFes ano all night saloons that have ever eX-
lsted in Chicago-rhe private dining rooms in the
higher priced restaurants. He says: II would
prefer 20 have the private dining room abol-
lsneo altogether, and / am contemplating sub
mtting an ordinance to the City Council which
VIII prohibit restaurant keepers permitting one
couple 70 occupy private room. / am not
quite certain how il can be done legally and
may not submit ordinance for several weeks
With regard TO the midnight closing ordinance,
am going to enforce il to the letter / would
suggest legislation TO the City Council which
would, think. solve the all night saloon prob
lem. ! DO not believe in tearing down legisla-
uon without having some remedial measure in
view, consequently i would suggest, after the
repeal Of the midnight closing ordinance, the
passage OF a measure along the New-orleans
women out Of saloons, and also TO keep bad
men outside their doors"
Enterprises representing an aggregate of
s5OOOOe00 await the outcome Of the delibera-
tons OF the Citizens Commission and the recon-
,nenoatlons TO be made by the committee OF
taxpayers appointed by President Jones of the
sanitary district 20 formulate a policy for the
Drainage Board for the Improvement OF the
Chicago River. If the taxpayers show that they
are in earnest I'm demanding that the river be
Nldened and deepened, much IL not all OF this
amount viii be expended along the river, in the
ishments and In the erection OF new ones. On
the other hand. IL the minority report of the
subcommittee of the Citizens Commission de-
caring for an indefinite pOstponcment Of the
further improvement of the river Is adopted by
the commission OF eighty representatives Of
various local organizations, il is declared THAI
the S50.Gc0.OO0 will go 10 the Calumet River
region in South Chicago and other rival har-
oors. The general opinion is that Chicago can
not afford 20 abandon plans for the further i'm
proVement Of the drainage channel, through the
creation Of which il is held that Chicago has
placed itself under certain obligations TO the
people OF the Mississippi Valley and TO the War
Department.
One p Pierce Of Chicago has given evidence
ot unbounded faith In Uncle Sans postal SER
vice. He wrapped a greenback around a card,
affixed two-cent stamp and bit Of white