Evening star., 1925-06-23

Chicago's brief war of secession,
during which the Western metropolis
threatened refusal to pay it's millions
of taxes into the Illinois State Treas
ury, is responsible for a general dis
cussion Of the tendency of States to
large centers Of population because of
the danger that the big cities will con-
troll law-making bodies.
The sympathy Of q sister metrop-
oils is extended by the Daily Eagle Of
Brooklyn to the Lake City. If taxa
ton without adequate proportionate
representation is tyranny" says the
Eagle, Chicago has much the same
moral basis for a revolt against 1lli-
nois that our colonial forefathers had
for rebellion against George III. Even
against New York State. The spirit
of revolt is wholesome. Whatever is
wrong should be made right. Non
proportional representation is Sc
wrong that it cannot possibly be de-
Tended ACCIDENTALLY. 1t persists be-
cause the sections that profit by it. by
having other sections pay their taxes,
resent any change. Something close
to civil war was produced In Rhode
Island by this reluctance to let justice
prevail. And without agitation in
JubllCC SdH IicFCi Dc OniiohCu hAohA
government"
History is recalled by the Norfolk
News while declaring that similar con-
ditions are found in most States con.
cities. Chicago contains about half
the population of Illinois," the News
states. but the Legislature. being
dominated by the rural districts, will
not reapportion on a basis satisfactory
to the city. In the days Of the Fed
eral constitutional convention of 1887
much the same situation existed. The
small States refused to join the Union
IL they were put on a purely repre-
sentative basis. They forced the in.
corporation of a provision giving all
States equal representation in the
Senate" Out of the controversy there
arises a situation which. according to
the Milwaukee Journal, reflects "a
growing feeling that State Legislatures
are impressed with the idea that the
cities may contribute the taxes, but
the rest of the State will make the
laws
However much one may sympa-
thize with the sighted cities" the
Louisville Post protests. prudence
and expediency suggest a cure less
violent than revolution" The Post
also finds parallel in the discrimi-
nation against Louisville.
Possibilities of oppression by Legis-
latures furnish the basis of comment
by the st. Paul Dispatch. 1t notes
that the Illinois constitution requires
reapportionment, but there is no
power to make the Legislature act.
Until it acts voluntarily the existing
apportionment stands"
"As the embattled farmers of Lexing-
ton fired the shot heard round the
world, so the embattled politicians Of
Cook County emit a whoop that echoes
down the State clear to Cairo" says
the Adrian Telegram. There has
been similar talk among some of the
more fre-eating patriots of Detroit.
It's great game, this nullifying.
The only trouble is that it won't
work" The Rockford, Ill.,, Star adds:
considering the source of this big
exploit, 1t is easy to note the grand.
standing back of it. Chicago has
some wonderful people within its con.
fines. It also has some two-by-four
politicians who are attempting to
fill twelve.by-twelve opening"
There was a plan to make a new
State out Of Cook and such other
northern Illinois counties as might be
necessary to give geographical re-
spectability." the Joliet Herald-News
states, but 1t is doubtful II even the