New-York tribune., 1902-03-13

his profession IN 1884 he accepted the Democratic
nomination for Congress In strong Republican
district. Although he defeated he considera-
bly, reduced his opponents majority. Two years
later he was nominated for Judge of the Superior
Court of Cook County, and was elected by large
majority, although the Republicans carried the
rest of the c1lnty ticket. He on the bench
about five years, being Chief Justice for one year
In 1891 he resigned L. give his attention to his
business interests. which had become very large
He had become wealthy principally n-~sSh dealing
in Chicago real estate and by investments in
street railways. He had built several of the
finest business blocks in Chicago. among them the
Unity Building.
In the Democratic State Convention of 1892 Mr.
Altgeld was nominated for Governor the first
ballot. and elected 10 that office. 10 the sur
prise Of even his own party. For more than
thirty years Illinois had been considered safely Re
publican by from 5000 to 90 900 plurality. Early in
his administration Governor Altgeld brought down
upon himself the condemnation Of law abiding citi-
through his pardoning in June, 1899, Of three
of the Chicago anarchists, Neebe Ffelden and
Schwab. who had been sentenced to life impris-
Onment. His ground for this act, stated in his
pardon message was his belief that their trial
had not been fair His position on this ques-
tion stated by him in an interview published
in The Tribune in September. 1894:
Have. you ever regretted pardonng those an
Never Never" he exclaimed, with great energy;
thumping the back Of the chair with his fst: II
do it over again. I knew Just what it meant on
the side there was nothing. The anarchists
a lot of friendess devils without sympathy
from the majority. Every mans hand was
against them. On the other hand; knew that m
every civilized land. and especially IN the United
States. would ring out curses loud ana oltter
against me for what l did. I my duty and
did II. There evidence 10 convict those
Besides the jury packed.
Il have political ambition. Office seekers are
poor lot. pardoned those men because l thought
they were illegally convicted. Their trial was
farce"
In the great Pullman strike of 1894 he addressed
a public le.,er to President Cleveland, protesting
against the Presidents policy Of sending United
States troops to keep the peace in Illinois. when he
had not been requested 70 do so by the Governor
He asserted that Illinois was abundantly able TO
protect its citizens and that the act OF sending
troops overrode the constitution and up what
might easily lead TO a military despotsm On this
question of federal interference together with op
position TO government by injunction" Governor
AltSed sought reelection ige 1896. but de-
feated by Governor Tanner, who received a large
plurality. With his failure carry the State his
power as a local boss steadily declined. but he
ceived independent nomination for Mayor OF
Chicago in 1899 from his old hand Of malcontent
supporters. but his vote was insignificant He was
not afterwarG active in public affairs and his
health was not good for the last three years
Ex-Governor AItceld wrote a book penal ma
chineTy pamphlets in favor of the eight hour move
ment anu compiled volume entitled Live Ques-
tons in which he brought together all his
papers, sneeches. interviews messages to the leg
islature Of Illinois. and 4 statement of the facts
which Influenced his course Governor on sew
erel occasions"