Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-01-12
FOR 4 NEW CONSTITUTION.

run " VIEW CUWSVUVUW.
AID. John i. Smulski. of the six
teentl Ward. introduced a resolution
Monday night at the Council meeting
calling upon the Chicago representa-
tives in the State Legislature to work
and vote for the holding of a constitu-
tional convention to revise or amend
the present State Constitution. His
resolution. with an amendment offered
by Alderman Alling. was referred to
the Judiciary Committee of the Coun-
ell.
Alderman Alling's amendment diff
fcred from Alderman Smulski's rcsolu-
ton principally in that it directs the
committee on State Legislature TO re-
port to this Council an amendment to
the Constitution of the state of Illinois
which snail permit the Legislature to
provide special laws for Cook County
in regard to its township. county and
city government. its drainage. courts,
and with regard TO the schools. parks
and local improvements of the City of
Chicago" Alderman Smulski contends
that relief from the many evils under
which Chicago Is now suffering cannot
come without u constitutional convcn-
ton. He points to the need of reform
in the justice courts. lie also mentions
the need of reform In special assess
mcnt laws. the consolidation of various
municipal governments. the fee system.
municipal ownership. civil service laws.
public arbitration of labor disputes and
other evils which he says are too M.
merous to mention.
lie declares Legislation Is needed In
n hundred directions. Under the pres.
ent constitutional restrictions made
thirty years ago. he says It is impossible
to get satisfactory results. as he thinks
the city Is bound hand and foot.
Speaking of the urgent need of Il
constitutional convention, Alderman
Smulski said:
"Nothing can be done unless united
and concerted action Is taken. and til,
tlvcs at Springfield vote for the calling
| of q constitutional convention to revise
| alter or amend the constitution. Thi,
must be done by u twO-thirds vote
Then the question will he submitted {,
the electors at the next general clcc
ton. and II carried by majority vote
the Legislature will provide for tn,
election of delegates to u constitution
convention. two from each Senatorial
district. and set the time ana place TO
such convention. The present consti
tutional laws are entirely inadequat,
for the present demands and needs o
the municipality. The justice court
one of the most fragrant evils of tn
present day In Chicago. the constable
and the system of fees governing botl
of these Institutions. are fixtures ere
atcd by the constitution. and they mus
remain without material change unit
the constitution under which Chicag
IL now working Is amended. The abol
ton of justice courts must he effected
Abolish the constable and the polio
magistrate and their fee system. Al
point district courts and let every OF
ficcr of these district courts he on
salary.
"'rhc idea of paying for bridges an
other public improvements out of I'll
current receipts and income Of the cit
IL preposterOus. That's what Chicng
IL doing. The current receipts and II
come of the city should he entirely d'
voted toward the running Of the city
government. The permanent improv,
mcnts should he paid for with mum,
ipnl bonds issued I'm sufficient amount
to take care of all of the city's presei
needs. But here again the ancleI
constitution, framed thirty years ag'
when Chicago was IN infant. block
the way.
IL say amend the constitution "
have outlived-permit the city to issr
bonds 10 make permanent improve
mcnts. and above all to provide for til
payment out of the public treasury fC
repaving of streets. Issue bonds fC
that purpose. II necessary, and nftt
the streets are well paved. spend MOI
Of the clty's earnings TO keep the street
clean.
"Thc fee system In vogue In some {
the county and city offices. which pc
mits a single individual elected to n
office of trust by the people to MAX
from $4,000 to 100000 u year In fee
which belong to the people. Is n deplo
able condition. say that the const
: tutiOn of n State which permits sue
conditions should he changed. The az
ministration Of the civil service Law
both In city ana county. UNIVERSAL
acknowledged as farce and an abu'
of public confidence, Is u failure, b
cause 1t Is not based upon any part {
rhe constitution which would give 1t Il
proper foundation"