Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-04
0V. Dement'S BIENNIAL MESSAGE TO LEGISLATURE


tenn are practically tantamount to an
election of the two legislative nomi-
nees of the majority and the one NOM
inee of the minority party in each or
the senatorial districts of the state,
there is no opportunity afforded to the
voters at the general election to cor
rect this evil which can only be re-
moved through the abolition or the
system itself The question of amend
ing the Constitution for this purpose
is therefore submitted to the general
assembly with the recommendation thai
il be givSn careful consideration.
Justice Orrin \. Carter, of the SUI
preme court. has the honor of being
the first and last judge of that body
to make a recommendation TO the resis-
lature He forwarded a letter to the
governor containing bill, which will
be found in the index of the COVER
nor's message. The governor refers
to it in his message. The bill gives
the q pellate court authority to rem
der decisions without submitting wri-
ten opinions.
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY.
Governor Deneen gives briefly the
history of his attempt to secure the
legislation fixing the liability of en-
ployers, which finally ended in the ap-
pointment of an Employers liability
commission. The commission was re-
quired to complete its Investigations
and report its findings by September
18th, 1910.
The act provided that the commits
sion should report to the governor
only such recommendations or drafts OF
bills as should have been agreed upon
by a majority of those representing
employers and a majority of those
representing employees. Under those
limitations the commission was I'M
able to reach an agreement upon bills
to be submitted. Continuing on this
subject, the Governor said:
Nevertheless, I believe that steps
should be taken at the present SEES
sion TO meet the persistant demand for
legislation respecting the liability of
employers and compensation of work
men in cases of Industrial accident.
FACTORY INSPECTION.
After referring to the "so-called
health, safety and comfort act pro-
viding for the protection OF health of
employees in factories, mercantile es-
Establishments, mills and workshops and
the law limiting the hours of labor
for women to ten," the message says:
"Our state has taken the leadership in
many forms of labor and industrial
legislation and the passage of the two
acts mentioned marked a distinct adj
vance in this direction. Under the
first of those laws, provision was made
for the installation of effective safe
guards for dangerous machinery and
for modern and improved methods Of
sanitation and ventilation. This act
has been reconiZed as a model for le-
gislation of this character in other
states, and since it's enactment has
been accepted by the employers of our
state as desirable legislation, with the
enforcement of which they have peen
very generally in sympathy. Under
its provisions the department, since
January, 1910, when the law went in
to effect. has made 1894 inspections,
2,217 in Cook county and 1874 outside
of Cook county.
1.-The ten hour law places Illinois
In the front rank Of progressive staues
In legislation safeguarding the health
of women employed in the more labor
ious trades. A test case carried to the
supreme court of the state has dem
onstrated the constitutionaIly of this
act, and employers generally are now
in accord with the purpose Of the law
and active in support of its enforce
ment. Since April 10, 1910, (the date
Of the supreme courts decision sus-
tanning the constitutionality OF the
law), the department has made 4,771
inspections, 3,701 in Cook county and
I,3Eo outside of Cook county,
The failure to put the state fire mar
shall law into effect because of the in.
ADEQUATE provisions for the support of
the department was recounted, some
of the work. given, and the governor
recommends that an appropriation be
made that would enable the depart
ment to take up the work for which
it was created.
The message again refers to anti
pass legislation and the evils incl
dent to the practice of granting passes
and other special favors by public ser
vice corpor atoms" The recommends
ton is made that the legislature en-
act an anti-pass law governing steam
ana electric railroads and OF an anti
frank law governing telegraph, tele-
phone and express companies. and a
law prohibiting gas and electric com
panies from furnishing service with
out charge to public officials"
GENERAL ELECTION Laws.
On the subject of an amendment to
the general election laws, the message
says: AT the last special session Of
the general assembly certain bills for
the amendment of the general election
laws were introduced but failed of
passage. The amendment included
provisions for compulsory service as
judges and clerks of election and the |
comforting upon boards of election |
commissioners of the power to ap-
point judges and clerks of election TO |
serve in precincts in which they did |
not reside. The purpose and proprf- !