Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-07
AN ADRO|T TITLED
ARRESTED IN
CASHINC IN

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no sense be regarded as illegal COM
binations in restraint of trade. Agri- |
culture and commerce have each re-
ceived distinctive national recognition |
in late years. 1t is not too much that
we demand a like recognition of labor, |
by the creation of a governmental de
partment whose chief officer shall be |
designated secretary of labor" and a
member of the presidents cabinet
Illinois, during the last two or three |
decades, has made marvellous progress
along all lines of material development |
In manufacturing and mining its ad-
vancement is without parallel Impor-
tant beyond the power of words to ex-
press is the salient fact that in the
establishment of educational and char
liable institutions it has kept even pace
with its material progress. In the
knows no superior in the sisterhood of
states. The additional provision for
free text books would add largely to
the present efficiency, and would be to
many families an untold blessing
Our common school system, supple
mented by the state normal schools
and the magnificent University of Hi
nois, affords to every boy and girl in
the state the opportunity for thorough
education. A large percentage of the
pupils in these institutions are from
homes of sons of toll. The great fact
is thus emphasized that this is indeed
the land of equal opportunity. In the
struggle of life there is no royal road.
Character, talent, industry are factors
that ineXorably make for success. Let
it not be forgotten that in the busy
marts of trade, in the halls of legisla-
ton, in the high places of influence
and power are to be found men whose
earliest memories are of the scantily
| supplied cottage, and whose fathers
earned their bread by daily toll.
From shop and farm, factory and
mine, from every center of industry,
| is a never-ending procession of young
men of character and lofty aims, NOV
| ing to the seats of learning, and thence
out into the world to become factors in
great human affairs.
| The II charitable institutions of the
state for the cure of the ills that affiict
body and mind are of deep concern to
us all. They appeal to that which is
tenderest and best in, the, human heart.
No man can know how soon some low
ed one from his own hearthstone may
be within their walls for treatment
and for cure They are the sacred in
stitutions established by all the people
of Illinois, and their management
should be upon an absolutely non-par-
tisan plane. The statement can not be
too thoroughly emphasized that these
( institutions should be absolutely be
yond partisan control. In appointments
to all positions in their management,
whether high or low, the only inquiry
should be as TO the character. fitness.
efficiency of the applicant. The skill
full, humane treatment of the thous-
ands of unfortunates in our charitable
institutions is today of deeper concern
to every citizen of this great state than
ton of national policy.
Pefmlt me, as 1 conclude, 10 cOngrat-
ulate you upon this auspicious day.
Let me remind the young men who
hear me that citizenship in a govern
ment such as ours carries with it high
responsibility. Study thoroughly in
your leisure hours the history of thi
magnificent state and of the great re
lpublic of which it is a part Thereby
will you the better be entitled to the
grand appellation of good citizen" the
unmistakable title of honor in this
| government of the people.