Year: 1877

private opinion.


MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.


Senator KEuoE deserves the thanks Of the


people of Chicago for his efforts to prevent


the repetition of the great election frauds


practiced last year in South Chicago. Sena-


tor KEHoE was personally witness Of the


frauds perpetrated ut the election upon the
adoption Of the charter in 1875, and he is


fully aware of the outrages committed at the


town election in 1876 ALI the other Semi


tors and Representatives from this county


Gun bear testimony to these frauds. These


town elections are fixed by law on the first


Tuesday in April of each year, while the city


election is fixed for the third Tuesday in


April. At the city election there are numer-


Gus precincts, and voters are required to vote


in the precinct in which they reside. At the
| town elections it is O mere conflict between
| two fnobs; tho Use Of ballot-bo1es and the


counting Of votes are mere sham that mob
which can secure the Moderator always elects
its men, without reference to the ballot
boxes. The Assistant Moderators at the polls
| empty their boxes Of all ballots Of which


they are not sure, and fill up the boxes with
the tickets prepared beforehand for that pur-


pose. Last year an effort was made by the
citizens, which was successful in North and
West Chicago, but was totally defeated in
South Chicago, where the mob ruled every


thing.


Legislature to change the date Of holding


the city elections to that for holding the


town elections that both elections shall


be held on the same day. This change will
prevent the useless holding of two elections
within the same month each year, and it will
give to the town elections character aud
dignity they Gun never have under any other
circumstances. This change will require IN
amendment to the general law, but the same
reasons for it undoubtedly apply in the
cases Of all other cities. There can be no
city which desires to have two elections
within two weeks, and cities laboring
under town and city organizations at the
same time will not object to having both elec-
tons take place on the same day. It is
change in the interest Of economy, good !
order, and honest elections.


There is another bill pending before the |
Legislature which Senator KEHoE might |
well add to, and make part Of; his own, or,
if that be out of order, which he IN ght |
push along and have passed at the same time; !
it is the bill changing the manner of electing
the County Commissioners. This Board is
the political substitute for the Board Of |
Supervisors of other counties under town.
ship organization. It's functions are the
same, and its term Of Office and term Of cleo
ton should also be. the same. The bill I
providing for the election annually of the
members Of this Board should be passed,
and the date Of the election should be the
same as that of all the township officers.
Under KEHoE's bill, and under this bill, the
County Commissioners would be elected at
the same time with the city and town
officers.


The recent decision Of the Supreme Court
determines that the county cannot issue any
bonds to build the Courthouse without sub
hitting the question to vote of the people. |
We are in favor Of building the Court -Hcuse
Without delay. We believe that the county
ought to avail itself of the present abundance
# unemployed labor and the low prices of
building material, and We believe that there
S general willingness on the part of the
people to hare the work go Oh. But the
character Of the County Board stands in the
yay. With q new Board, and one responsible
annually to. the public, and within reach of
he public at the polls, we do not doubt that
be people will vote for the issue Of nll the
'onds necessary to. build the Courthouse,
Fhile not dollar will be voted so long as it
S to be expended by the present controlling !,
'ower Of the Board. The passage Of Senator ,,
bill, and fixing the election of
he Commissioners in the spring, would
emove the only, but most determined, op-I ,
.osition to the Immediate building Of the
Courthouse and the voting of bonds for
hat purpose. Cannot the Cook County dele
alton unite and have these bills passed in =
ime to take effect at the April election? Not :


dollar can be had for the Courthouse :.
7ithout the affirmative vote OF the people,
nd that vote will never be given so long rs =
he present Board have the expenditure Of
he money.