Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-01-22
PLAN LAW AGAINST
OFFICERS Who FAIL
TO PERFORM DUTY
SENATOR BARBOUR DRAWS Up
DRASTIC LEGISLATION AIMED
70 SAFEGUARD STATE AGAINST
paoAIstTloN iNFRACToNs.

Springfield. H.. jan y senator ,.
barbour of Chirago has introduced
IN The senate one OF The most drastic
law enforcement measures ever pre-
sonte dior consideration 10 that body
"a be referred to the Judiciary com
fnirtee whea it is appointed. Il toll
lowed quickly the ratification by tie
general assembly OF the national p TO-
Inhibition amendment and, if il IS eli
acted. into law. by the Assem- $ Ill
j. believed by It's champions VIII go
long way toward pUttnG out Oh
business all "bliHd tigers ana boot
leRgers," for in the event Of oiilc' RS
Ninking at any law violation in any
section of the state. il Will ena
the people themselves To take the ia"
into their own hands and on their
initiative start proceedings IN tae
circuit court for the removal OF any
county or municipal official who is
negligent IN his duty. 1t plans sum
mary add apeeedy action against any
Office wap fails TO perform the duty
inp0. Jy law.
Scnator Barbour's bill provides Tor
the removal OF ANY county or nu-
nicpal officer holding an executive ad-
ministratiye i. or ministerial electro
office" and that about covers the list.
for any OF tn following causes:
Wilful failure To perform any pub.
lie duty imposed by law.
Wilful misconduct or maladmin-
istration in Office.
Corruption.
Extortion
Removal proceedings are to be in
stHuted by petition filed in the cir
cult court by the attorney general, tie
states attorney. or or any five gu Al
fled electors OF the county upon their
own relation The attorney general
is 10 prosecute them when directed
by the governor and II shall be the
duty of the governor TO direct the at
torney general to prosecute whenever
he has knowledge that reasonable
grounds exist for instituting a pro
ceeding If the attorney general does
not prosecute ii shall be the duty Of
the states attorney, the bin says
The emasure instructs for speedy
serving of the summons and reply of
the defendant and provides that eth
er party within ten days after the
cause is an issue may apply 10 JUS
tice from another circuit to hear and
determine the same The bill pro
vides speedy hearing, summary in
its nature, to be disposed of either in
vacation or term. and tried by the
court without intervention of jury
If the court finds that cause exists
Tor the removal Of the officer, judg-
ment shall be entered removing the
0iiiced and the vacancy filled as in
other cases of vacancy.
Either party may appeal from such
judgment to the supreme court as in
other eases of direct appeal. says the
hill except that the bond, if any. shall
be filed within five days, and the rec,
ord within ton days unless the trial
court shall grant further time.
The taking of the appeal shall not
stay the effect of the judgment. is an
other drastic provision included in
ne measure.
That the enactment of such a law
viii finally do away with Illicit sale
Of intoxicants IN Illinois IS the firm
opinion OF its advocates here. They
declare It's operation 50 stringent few
would attempt 10 infringe on its man
dates
The bill is regarded with favor nv
a number of the legislators here