Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-03-15

John Peter Altgeld was born in Ger
many in December. 1877, and WAS
brought to this country by his parents
while vet n child. The family settled
near Mansfield, o., where Altgrld re-
ceived his common school education.
At IL years of age he enlisted as Il pri-
vate in the Federal army and was in
the service until the close of the war.
He then taught school in Missouri.
studying law evenings. and was adj
mitted to the Missouri bar in 1860. His
first elective office was that of state at
torney in Andrew county. Mo-, in 1874
The next year he resigned and moved
to Chicago. where he practiced law. In
1881 he ran for congress. but was de-
feated From 1856 to 1891 he was
judge Of the superior court of Illinois.
With Altgeld'S election as governor in
1893 his stormy career was fairly under
way. The four years of his ldminiSlrn
tion have been bitterly attacked by his
political enemies and family praised
by many of his political friends. Jug
Cling with the state funds, their deposit
in favored banks. the dissipation I"
private sources of interest accruing ON
deposited public funds. sharp bargains
by which administration adherrntS
prOtitrd-theSe were freely charged Dy
Governor AltgcId's opponents
In defense Of his pardOnnG of
Fielen, Schwab and Ncebe. three men
serving life sentences upon convictions
of completely in the bomb throwing
during the Hnymnrket riots, when Srv-
eral police officers were killed, Gov
crnor Altgeld made a statement that
the jury that tried the men was prac-
tirally packed jury.
His attitude during the great Chi
cago railroad strike Of 1891 was one of
inaction Ii it was not dictated by
covert sympathy with the strikers it
was at least interpreted so by mohs
that destroyed railroad property,
sacked, burned and pillnged cars. and
tied up transportation by rail in Il wide
area around Chicago. The mails hav-
ing been interrupted. President Clrve-
land ordered United States troops to
the scene of riot and interruption to
the federal mails and Interstate com
murcc There was bloodshcd, but law
and order trumphcd. Meantime Coy
ernOr Altgeld entered into Il controversy
with the president over the latters ac-
tion but was finally slcnced by Il stern
rebuke from the president, who tcle-
Al, l,,,t
way ITO active efforts of all authority
to restore obedience to law and to pro-
tect life and property"
Mr.. Altgeld was Il partisan u Democrat
with many popuistic and socialiStic
ideas. He became an enthusiastic
silver man. Il supporter of Bryan.
When that doctrine was repudiate,l in
1896 Altgeld helped to hold the Illinois
Democracy in line for Bryan in 1870.
worked for the reitertion mt Kansas
City of the Chicago platforms.
Meantime he had been hard hit in
cally us we'll as politically. He came
near going down in the Globe SAVINGS
bank crash in 1896. when the funds
were miSapproprinted by President
Spaulding. who he himself had recon-
mendcd for treasurer of the university
board. and in which bank he was
stockholder. director. and large bOr-
rover on doubtful collateral stock in
his extensive real estate enterprises in
Chicago.
Ever since the failure of the Globe
bank Altgeld had not been a well man.
His mind was just as clear and active
as of old. but though the spirit was
willing the flesh was weak.