New-York tribune., 1901-01-14
TOPICS IN CHICAGO.
SENATOR CULLors REELECTION BE-
LIEYED TO BE ASSURED-TALK
OF RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

Chicago. Jan. 13 CSpeciaD.-Uness the prog
nostioations of the best informed local poll
ticians are at fault Shelby NJ. Cullom will sue
ceed himself as Senator from Illinois. For the
last ten days the scene Of the Senatorial contest
of absorbing interest to Chcagoans, has been in
Springfield, the State capital. The question will
be settled for the next six years on January -
when the two houses Of the State Legislature
will ballot. The adherents Of Mr.. Cullom. and
the better element of the Republican party
throughout the State, are confident that there
can be only outcome-the reelection or the
veteran statesman who for eighteen years has
represented his State in the National Senate
Dispatches from the State capital credit Mr.
culIom with having pledged to his support no
less than eighty votes in the newly elected Leg
islature thirteen more than necessary to
secure his reelection. These reports are not
oontradicted by the Democrats the scene.
and the Tannerites. who have been straining
every nerve 20 insure the defeat of their chiefs
bitterest enemy are despairingly silent Tanner
and his aids have made bitter fight. and have
brought to bear every influence which could
possibly injure the cause of Cullnm; most OF
their ammunition has thus far been proved
waste material and what yet remains 70 he
heard from has heen little exploited. so that II
the Legislature decides upon Cannon. Hit or
any other Of the Tannerite candidates. the Sc
lection Will be decided surprise TO the local
business community.
Because a Chicago manufacturer brought an
Iowa workman TO this city without informing
him that a strike was at his factory local
court has held the manufacturer for trial In the
criminal court. John A. Gauger. the manufact-
urer finding his business injured by protract-
ed strike advertised in several papers through
ont Illinois and the adjoining States for wood
workers. Frederick Wetter. who lived in Du-
huque. Iowa. of these advertisements.
and as result Of the correspondence that fol-
lowed came to Chicago 10 work. on his arrival
he learned of the strike. and forthwith refused
TO go 70 work. On November 23. shortly after
his arrival in Chicago. Wetter began criminal
proceedings under an Illinois statute approved
April %. 1899 which makes il unlawful for any
person to nlisrepresent by letter or advertisement
any position business opportunity. and which
especially refers 10 strikes. BY mutual consent
the case was continued from time to time in
the court Of local justice of the peace. The
case involves some nice points of law. and is Of
Importance to manufacturing interests, which
watching the outcome closely.
Speculation is rife as 10 what is going to hap
pen TO the Chicago River when the various
committees subcommittee and sub-sub-com-
mittees get through with it. Some $4,000,
aforesaid committees. whose opinions and
wrangling nave occupied three months Thus
far IL seems to have been unanimously resolved
by each body that has turned its attention to
the subject that Chicago's commerce is suffer
ing because of the inadequate harbor facilities
afforded by the Chicago River. Furthermore, it
is announced on unquestionable authority that
unless something is done 10 better existing con-
ditions less than S50000O00 will be with
drawn from the banks Of the stagnant ditch
that is called a river to be invested in the
municipality of South Chicago a suburb which
has already become a serious menace to the
Windy City because of it's low taxes and excel
lent water front The Calumet River bisects
South Chicago in much the same way the
Chicago River does its larger and pre- =
tentious neigEbor. The trouble seems to be
that under existing laws the river is taken
care Of by Board of Sanitary Trustees a
group Of officials with large responsibilities and
meagre compensation. This body is constantly
bidding for expressions Of public opinion its
plans for future operations, and nearly every
commercial organization in the city has at one
time another been asked for advice. Such
requests have usually resulted in the appoint
ment of more or less intelligent committees
whose labors resulted in little more than to get
into print the names Of their members with an
occasional lengthy recommendation respect
fully submitted" to the Honorable Trustees of
the Sanitary District" Recommendations and
personal argument having failed to set in mo-
ton the ponderous machinery of the Sanitary
Board the Western Society Of Engineers tried
AT which members of the Board We're present
and az which the question Of river Improvement
was the principal topic. and now Chicagoans
are wondering whether the next few months
will as they express if. see anything doing"