Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-02-17

girls as entertainers 70 SdfoOuSs cstss
etc
tiyn service.
At the beginning OF my administra.
ton. two years ago, the State Civil
Service law, so far as Il applied TO
the more important positions IN the
service. was eighteen months old.
Since by its provisions all the APP
pointees holding office at the time II
became effective were covered without
examination and comparatively few
changes In the personnel had been
made, there was widespread unfa-
miliarity with the provisions OF the
law. The strain of enforcing this law
after the first complete change in
party domination IN sixteen years, has
not been slight: nevertheless. with de-
terrhined. honest. and fair enforce
ment, there has come a vigorous aad
gratifying growth in the Civil Service
work of the State. In 1911, 4.6S5 ap
plications for examination were re
ceived: in 1912, 6.671: in 1918. $3.50;
in 1914, estimate to December I, IL.
307. In the past year the commission
has held IA examinations and, e was
estimated. had examined 1900 appli.
cants up to December ], this being
approximately one hundred per cent
increase over the number examined In
1912. There has been a marked q
crease in the number OF positions
filled by certification from the eligible
lists and OF all the persons occupying
positions in the classified service OF
the State. II is estimated there are
now less than seven hundred who have
not proved their qualifications by pass
ing examinations.
It is with sincere qualification I re-
port to you that the merit system In
all State Departments Is now estab.
lished upon a firm basis and respect
fully urge that your honorable bod,
give careful consideration TO all meas.
ures relative TO civil service, ftf
results both TO the convicts and 10 tns
State. A very small percentage OF
the convicts have violated their pledg,
of honor, and the work done has been
valuable and efficient
1 would respectfully recommend the
amendment of the law, so as to permit
cOnyicts whose uneIpired terms exceed
the fiye-year Limitation to be used npi
road building The limitation. in my
Judgment, can be safely extended 70
ten or even fifteen years instead oi
five.
In order to bring about more sx'
tensive use of the convicts for tait
laudable purpose, il might be wise "a
amend the Good Roads Act. so as "a
require the counties, who are re.
cipients of state aid to avail then.
selves of convict labor. charging there
for the actual cost of feeding the mes
while so engaged.
During the last fifteen months
ffty-one convicts were employed AZ
road building, from September 3. 1914
to February 10, 1914, at Camp Hope
near Dixon, Illinois, doing very effect
i've road work. Not one attempted to
escape.
Seventy-two convicts were employees
at Starved Rock from April p. 1914.ta
August 20, 1914. and afterwards ri
VIII County, Illinois. until
December %, two OF whom escaped
and have not been re-captured.
Sixty-five men were employed nj
Beecher, Illinois, from June Is, 1914,
10 November "a. 1914. none OF whorn
attempted to escape.
One hundred and FIVE convicts wwt
utilized at the Joliet Honor Farm from
February 27, 1914, until recently
have had their sentences
nine returned 10 ths
prison; two paroled, and nine trans.
erred to road camps, leaving sixty
me still on the farm operating same
In view Of the small percentage OF
escapes, and the general observance
Il their pledges by the convlcts, ths
warden of the Joliet PeAitentiary hss
that the convict Labor
lct be amended so as 10 permit ths
Use of convict labor upon the public
Dads, by removing the clause speci.
wing that man must have less than
I've years to serve before he is eligible
or road work.
State Finances.
In relation 10 the finances OF tbs
tate. they are in most excellent con
ition, the cash balance on hand in tha
tate Treasury on January ]. 1855
eing -.
For full information and figures con
erning said state finances. / refer
ublic Accounts and state Treasurer.
The Constitution requires the Gov
rnor at the commencement of each
OCULAR session 10 present estimates OF
le amount of money required to be
aised by taxation for all purposes
In this connection. would direc,
our attention to the budget which will
2 presented to you by the Legislative
eference Bureau. which contains se-
mates by the various department
eads as to their needs Cor the COM
e two years. l earnestly request
our cooperation in pruning and cut
ng down the same. where possible.
the actual needs and necessities Of
hcient administration.
Executive Expenditures.
For a statement of expenditures,
AIDE by me for this department from
nds subject to my order. your at