New-York tribune., 1902-12-21
TOPICS IN CHIC-4GO.

Chicago Dec 1a-wornan's desertion OF the
cooking stove, her failure TO acquire prac-
teal knowledge OF the culinary art, and too
much devotion, instead. to liberal arts and
philanthropic reforms will. according to 2 local
student Of the science Of sociology, prove the
basis of such strong dssension in the household
as TO disrupt it either by divorce by the flight
Of the poor male victim. Ernest P. Bicknen.
chief of the Chicago Bureau of Charities, in a
recent address before one Of the leading local
self-culture clubs, declared shat poor cookery
and siovenly housekeeping were the direct
causes Of four hundred divorces IN Chicago last
year. This made many Of his judicious hearers
grieve, for it IS leading some Of them 10 doubt
the practical value Of the science of sociology.
There could be doubt Of the truth Of the
statement of Mr.. Bicknell, startling it may
seem, because four hundred deserted better, but
weaker, halves applied 70 his bureau for assist
ance, and assigned the reason stated for their
lege lords desertion OF them. Now, Mr.. Bick-
nell asks what will sociological scientists do
about this matter where so many bubbles have
fled because they could not stand the cooking
and the housekeeping, such as it was? OF course,
Mr. Bcknell claims, poor cooking and poor
housekeeping not confined to Chicago and
SO it is interesting know how many suffering
husbands have fed in other cities. Many
thoughtful sociologists in this big city not
only new but a fruitful cause of severance of
the marital tie. And with good reasoning, after
the statistics quoted by Mr.. Bicknell, not few
believe, and. in fact say, that here is the oppor
tunity for all women's organizations, for women
are the chiefly interested, to begin an ear
nest agitation for the removal of this cause for
divorce.
Chicagoans who have at heart the wellbeng
of the city realize that in the death of John w.
Ella the Western metropolis has lost one of its
Nh ic Eoir cir
his demise the cause of Civil Service reform is
deprived OF an able and vigorous as well as a
successful advocate. In the West the name Of
Mr.. Ella Will forever be associated with the
Civil Service reform movement 1t is almost
entirely due his individual efforts that the
State OF Illinois enjoys the high honor of being
the first in the West TO pass merit law, which
is fast extending TO the various branches of the
State and municipal governments The law was
framed by Mr.. Ella, and he led the campaign
which resulted in placing it on the statute books
and having it adopted by Chicago. He met
every attack upon the measure while the strug-
gle for its passage was on, and was its tireless
defender. il is small tribute to his skill and
the with which he drafted the act that
every test Of the measure served to strengthen
the law and made merit in civic office in this
city a more firmly established policy, to which
al OF the political parties, in the main, are
thoroughly pledged No man in Chicago has
done more than John W. Ella to raise the stand
ara or pubic office and to remove party politics
from local elections
Mayor Harrison not long ago said he was sure
Corporation Counsel Walker was TO be his sue
cessor. II would seem, however, that his honor
was in error, for Mr.. Walker has told the pow
ers that be in the Democratic party that he
doesn't want the nomination. The tone in
which Mayor Harrison comments upon the
withdrawal Of the citys legal adviser from the
Mayorality limelght in measure betrays that
he is preparing to lead the Democratic hosts
again at the coming municipal election. not as
a party chief, but as the head of the ticket 1t
is admitted by Mr.. Harrison's political advisers
now that the Mayor is out for the Democrat tic
nomination. The Republican mayoralty norni-
nation lies between John NJ Harlan, son of Jus
tics Harlan. Of the United States Supreme
Court. and Graene Stewart. local business
Elan-
The politicians in Illinois will soon be on tha
warpath in defence Of the most sacred fruit n.
political victory. spoils. which are threatened
with complete elimination in the near future
Under the auspices Of the Illinois Civil Service
reform Association State civil service bill
which deals the death blow to political assess
.ments and other evils of political oficeholding
has been drafted ana will be introduced ga ~,
in the coming session Of the General Assemblv
The measure. which is the work of a coun,ittee
neaoed by Colonel Frank O. Iowden a leaiiny
hepupncan OF Chicago, and Samuel Alschuler
democrat. who was defeated for Governor nv
hlchard Yates. seeks TO place practically every
position in Illinois which is not elective under
the merit system.