Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-02-14
Chicago. Feb. 10, 1903.

To the Editor Chicago Eagle.
Dear Sir: Just now there Is good
deal of talk, particularly among the
City Hall Oficcholders and politicians.
who from the Mayor down are mainly
Interested in holding on to their Jobs.
about the referendum In connection
with the settlement of the traction
question.
have given this subject n good
| deal of thought and have discussed IL
with others who have given II serious
| attention. ana / beg to offer the opin-
| ion that those who are clumOring so
| loudly about the referendum either
have not considered the subject seri-
ously or are simply using II for ultc-
rior purposes.
Let us ask ourselves. In the first
place. would the referendum be really
| of any benefit whatever to the people
by inducing the passage of u better
class of legislation? I believe II would
not, for the simple reason that the
people would not have either time or
inclination to read. study ana men,
| tally digest the various bills und or
dinnnces introduced In our public
bodies from time to time.
They would do as they do now. form,
their opinions upon the views of 9th.
ers, ana these others are the news.
papers.
What would the result Of that he!
Suppose the referendum was In force
and effect as u law?
Simply the setting mp u dictator
ship In the matter of public legislip-
tiOn which would bc simply absolute
ana decidedly dangerous.
That dictatorship would consist OF
the daily press. which could actually
decide what Legislation should or
should not pass. the people blindly vot.
Ing rs the trust press might dictate.
II that condition should ever DO
brought about we might as well abOl-
lsh all elective Legislative bodies.
The daily press would bc lcgIsla-
turc. city council. initiative and refer
endum all In one.
IL this the object aimed at by the
clanlOr In the press for the installn-
tlOn of this system?
IL such II condition to he desired? "
Are the people more likely to have
their interest cared for and subservc,l
through legislation manufactured by
few newspapers or editors than they
would be by their freely chosen and
elected representatives In, the legis-
lntive bodies made up In accordance
with the constitution or the charter?
To all these questions answer. en-
phatically. no: and ! believe that every
citizen who gives the matter much
thought will join with me In the an.
| swcr. j, NJ, W,
Editor Eagle:
Dear Sir--I notice that Mr.. John
NJ. Harlan, In his candidacy for the
Republican mayOTlty nomination,
makes the point that garbage. ashes
and other city waste should he hauled
by night. ana that there should be an
ordinance to that effect.
| Permit me to point out II still create
nuisance than the hauling of city waste
In the day time. This Is the delivery of
coal In the downtown districts during
business hours. This practice has done
more to contribute to the dirt Of the
downtown building, the smudging of
the atmosphere ana the grimlncss of
the city generally than anything else
except the smoke nuisance. 1t Is II
common spectacle TO see ladies In cost
| ~ attire covered with coal dust and
their clothing thereby ruined through
ly inconvenlent ana even dangerous To
pedestrians. This could easily be rem
cdied by n simple ordinance.
Yours respectfully,
PEDESTRIAN.
Chicago, Feb. o.
&eA
Hon. John Powers has proved To be
Il most useful member of the State Sen
ate. His knowledge of public affairs
and his acquaintance with the affairs
of the people of Chicago, gained
through long years of experience In
public office, has contributed To max
ing him one of the best representatives
ever sent to Springfield from this city
~6A
Mr.. 7. A. Lennon, the able secretary
and treasurer of the Chicago, Whining
ton and Vermillion Coal Company. has
been connected with the business inter-
ests of Chicago for the last thirty years.
He Is respected by all who know him
and occupies high and honored place