The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1926-04-10

the writer, of Senator Roberts and the
wonderful and brilliant record he has
made in the legislative halls at Spring
field, Illinois. So at this time we feel
justified in publishing short review
of his remarkable career in that law
making body, which follows:
An Ehviable Record of
Achievements
Senator Roberts passed an Anti-Ku-
KIux Khan Bill in the House by the
remarkable vote of III to 2 and which
was enacted into law that paralized
the criminal arm Of. the Klan in this
state.
Enacted legislation that reduced the
bombing of our homes to minimum.
Killed the Full Crew Train" Bill
which would have, if enacted into a
law, thrown out of employment 200
railroad men in this state.
Defeated legislation during the Sind
General Assembly, that would have put
out Of business hundreds Of our wom-
en- engaged in the hairdressing, beauty
culture and manicuring business.
Voted and worked against the Rent
Hogs.
Voted for an eight (8) hour day for
working women.
Voted against the repeal of the
Child Labor Law"
Voted for bill to permit women to
serve on juries.
Voted for an amendment to the Fed
eral Constitution giving women the
same political rights that men enjoy.
Voted to legalize horse racing.
Voted for the boxing bill.
The most constructive piece of legis-
lation ever put upon the Statute books
Of any state in this Union, by colored
man, was the law that he passed pro-
viding for the creation of the 35th ST.
Branch Of the Illinois Free Employ
ment Office. This Branch is Differed
by colored men and women drawing
lucrative salaries. In a single year
1900 Of our men and 5000 of our
women have secured positions through
this Office and it has not cost them a
cent for them.
During the 53rd General Assembly
he passed more bills than any other
member Of the House.
In consideration of this splendid
record and service, grateful constitu-
ency elected him to the State Senate.
position which he has filled with
credit to himself, with honor to his
race and eminent satisfaction to his
district and his state. The best testi-
moTy that can be given as to his
standing in this great law-making
body comes from the pen Of James
O'Donell Bennett, acknowledged to be
the greatest newspaper correspondent
in America The Chicago Tribune sent
Bennett to Springfield during the 54th
General Assembly to make a careful
study Of the work and worth Of the
members Of both Houses. And this is
what he said of our State Senator:
II was much interested in noticing
that the best diction have heard in
the course of two days senate debating
was that Of the colored Senator, Abel
bert H. Roberts Of 3405 Calumet Ave,
chairman of the Committee on Grim
inal Procedure and member of dozen
other important committees. He is one
of the few Senators who ever quotes
from anything but a public document.
He has frequent recourse to the words
of Charles Sumner as he puts it, and
he quotes them tellingly. That great
spirit who suffered much for the race
from which Senator Roberts sprang.
would be proud if he could hear this
able and dignifed legislator citing
bim."
He secured the enactment Of one law
during the last session of the General
Assembly that should endear him to
every man and woman in Illinois. II
was what he was pleased to call "The
Fugitive Warrant Law From this
time on it will not be possible to kid
nap a supposed fugitive and take him
out Of this state without giving him an
to defend himself For
Senator Roberts Law provides: that
no person apprehended upon Cover
.o~- r,v,~-a-t cL.ff IL Jaf:-.a-ad 49,