Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-16
YATES DENOUNCED
Chicago Mass Meeting Con-
dennis Present Spells
System.
MANY SPEAKERS ARE HEARD
Resolutions Adopted for Committee
to Draft Merit
Law.
MANY SPEAKERS ARE HEARD

| NHi'dSo, Zee. lo--Ih he continuation
OF the sopils system in the making
of appointments in the state penal
and charitable institutions was con
demned in unmeasured terms at a
mass meeting in StudebaLer Music
hall yesterday afternoon and resoIu-
tons were adopted providing for the
appointment of Il committee whose
duty il Will be to- draft law to be
presented to the next legislature the
object of which will be to place all
employees of such institutions under
the merit system.
Gov. Yates was accused of having
violated his ante-election declaration
that he favored the application of the
merit system to these institutions,
and letters were read showing that
he had removed superintendent.
trustees and employees at the behest
of politicians to make room for party
followers and personal friends.
The declaration was made that the
spoils system as now conducted by
Gov. Yates had resulted in waste of
public funds, discreditable finance
inadequate care of the unfortunate
and partisan assessment of en-
of affairs would continue until the
merit system displaced what was
characterized as relic of barbarism
The speakers disclaimed any inten-
ton of censurlng individuals or max
ing capital for any political party and
no mention of Gov. Yates name APP
peared in the resolutions. but the fact
was cited that this administration
has followed the policy of preceding
ones in making sweeping changes to
the general generalization of the
service.
John Ii. Hamline presided at the
meeting and Frederick w. Burling-
ham acted as secretary. The speakers
were Jenllin Lloyd Jones. DR.. L. G.
HirSch. Professor Graham Taylor and
William Kent.
One of the seVerest critics of the
present state administration was
Jenkin Lloyd Jones.
Change in Laws Urged.
illinois needs radical recon
struction of its lunacy laws" said Mr..
Jones. Our institutions are at pres
ent so situated and over-crowded as
to preclude the possibility of the
proper classification and rustication
by the latest science. Our
so-caIled asylum for feeble-minded !
children has Il population of about |
/ 900 with 1,2OO applicants waiting |
for admission.
This institution recently enter |
tanned the state conference of char |
tiles held at Lincoln. There we saw !
hcrded together in the same rooms |
l.. IL. I,.,I
of contracted skulls. |
alongside of little girls and boys |
needing and capable of mental train
ing. though too dull for orr public |
schools as at present organized.
THE insane hospital at Elgin has
upward of 1000 inmates, Kankakee in
the neighborhood of 1900, Jackson
Vile about 200. Anna about 1000.
Of the first three / can speak from
personal inspection. They are all in
cramped quarters. 1t is in this way
that Illinois packs its most pathetic
dependents, where they cannot have
that wholesome contact with the
earth and domestic animals which is
possible only to deurbanized and de
populated farm institutions.
But our institutions can never be
our dependent children
.an never he ruralized on farms and
IN private homes. our chronic insane
IAN never be nationally distributed
md segregated. our epileptics can new
,r be scientifically cOlonized and our
state institutions can never be hand
al into the hands of educators until
We have broken absolutely and for
.ver the iniquitous hold of politicians
mon these sacred trusts. until we
rave relegated to the realm of Grim
nails any man or body of men who
lare use their public authority or
private influence in farming out the
ives of the dependent ones as so
much patronage TO the faithful
workers of the political party that
gets there
ION the LIST of January last there
vas Il change of administration III
he state of Illinois. but no change or
,arty. and still, with no party JUST
ication. simply the justification of
me boss against another boss IN
ide of the republican party, we have ;
his exhibition which / believe to be
in the history of state ]
n the union.
I'VE have fifteen institutions placed (
nder the direct management OF hVe S
with a paid secretary.
VERY one of these commissioners
nd the secretary were changed with ,
n a few months, the secretary being !,
ictated by the governor, not for any
pecial training or peculiar fitness as
assigned by the law and as Practiced
" similar boards in other states as
veil AZ by the board of the state of
n the past. but obviously for Politi-
al reasons"
Other speakers were equally earn
st in their denunciation of Gov. S
'ates' peanut politics. {
Unlocks the gates of happiness; +
makes the music and saws the wood; q
fits one up in the sunshine of life.