The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

GOVERNOR YATES I TO LEGISLATURE Chief Executive 'Hi" Illinois Recommends Measure** of Itqportair.ee. rAVORS CMLSERVICE LAW Work of Pure Food Commis­ sion Is Praised. AS TQ CONVICT LABOR Message Declares Against Competition With Work of Free Men--Child La­ bor Denounced--State Charitable In­ stitutions in Good Order--State FI-. nances in Gratifying Shape. The Illinois legislature convened in regular session Jan. 7. Governor Tales sent to both houses his biennial message, with recommendations for legislation to assist or improve several departments of the state government. Following are extracts from the gov­ ernor's address: Merit System Indorsed. It is scarcely necessary for me to say here, as I have said repeatedly on former occasions, that I am in hearty sympathy with the advocates of a statute for a rea­ sonable merit system; nor should It be necessary to repeat what has been pointed Out heretofore so many times that all must be familiar with the fact--namely, that we already have the merit system. Without a statute; that not only in the State charitable institutions, but in all branches of the state government coming under my control, merit or fitness has been the largest consideration in the ma­ king of appointments. All must acknowl­ edge the prime importance of fitness and experience in the appointment of public officers and employes. I have realized it fully and have acted accordingly. Of the 2,700 other state employes of all grades-- approximately 2.500 receiving less than $600 per annum each, the number in- eluding the employes of the Chicago park system--I feel entirely safe In making the Statement that not exceeding 10 per cent have in two years changed by order of any one. Nearly 10 per cent of these minor employes give up their positions every year regardless of change of ad­ ministration or other circumstances. In ether words, I contend that a substantial and successful merit system ia now in force. The question Is. Shall appointments for merit be compelled by law? I answer that the gratifying success obtained under this administration by the retention of the main part of the old forces at the charit­ able institutions shows what a calamity It w«»nl<? t" to hnve the whole force re­ moved, from time to time, by the prefer­ ment to power of first one political party end then another. Moreover, the present system, under which not only superin­ tendents, but trustees, legislators, party leaders and. the executive himself are, in spite of everything that can be done, embarrassed and harassed from year's end to year's end by applicants for small positions, who clamor for the hearing of their claims, involves a serious loss of time and waste of energy of officials, which loss and waste the people have the right to complain of and to abrogate by appropriate legislation. It will afford me great satisfaction to co-operate with the legislature to the extent of signing and enforcing an act making the merit sys­ tem compulsory. New Constitution Not Needed. A constitutional convention to amend or abrogate the present constitution has been advocated in certain quarters. I recommend that no steps in this direc­ tion be taken by his general assembly. I do not believe that a need for such con- •entlon has arisen. To provide for a new constitution would, for many reasons, be t grave step at the present time. The National Guard. By prudent management and the prac­ tice of the strictest economy the Illinois Katlonal Guard has been maintained up­ on the appropriation made two years ago, and I am glad to be able to say that a deficiency appropriation will be unneces­ sary, although an additional regiment, battalion and battery have considerably Increased expenses. The State Medical Board. A proposition to create a state board of medical examiners has been under con­ sideration by the board of medical men generally since 1897. when the secretary of the board in his report expressed the opinion that there was imperative need for an examining board which would leave the state board of health free to perform sanitary duties alone. In 1899 the state board of health gave Its formal Indorsement to a bill creating a state board of medical examiners, and this measure has received the approval of representative medical societies of the state. I feel constrained. In view of the circumstances, to recommend the legis­ lation desired to this particular. Pure Food Commission. Since the lives and health oi the people are dependent primarily on a pure and wholesome food supply the food interest Is necessarily of high Importance. The last two years have witnessed great prog­ ress in the cause of pure food. The state food department was created for the purpose of insuring a pure and wholesome food product. The records of the depart­ ment show that In the last two years 2,000 food samples have been analyzed. Of this number nearly 40 per cent have been found to be Impure. More than 800 suits have been instituted and convictions ob­ tained. Manufacturers and dealers are now very generally familiar with the law. The department has only six Inspectors for the entire state. To accomplish the results Intended by the law the number Should be not less than ten. The last general assembly made no appropriation for the expenses of carrying on the lab­ oratory work and the work of inspection. I recommend that provision be made for four additional inspectors, another as­ sistant chemist, and a fair appropriation for necessary expenses. Live Stock Commission Praised. Without attempting to exhibit In de­ tail the work of the state board of live stock commissioners, for which you are referred to the reports of this board, I deem it proper to state that there has been a large increase in the work of the board. In my opinion some increase in the appropriation for the expenses of the commissioners will be necessary to en­ able them properly to perform their du­ ties. Work of Labor Bureau. The work of the bureau of labor statis­ tics has increased materially during the last decade. Under the law this bureau Is required to collect data for the publi­ cation of three separate and distinct re­ ports--the annual report of the coal in­ dustry of the state, weekly and annual reports of the free employment officers, and a biennial report dealing with gen­ eral industrial questions. The mining industry is among the most important in the state, Illinois ranking second among the" states of the Union in coal production, and It Is important that any legislation enacted on the sub­ ject of mining be considered carefully. I am advised that experience has developed some slight defects and omission In the mining law as revised by the forty-first general assembly, and I respectfully rec­ ommend that these be corrected. Since the fvtsbHshment of the free employment offices--three in Chicago in August, 1899, and one in Peoria in July, 1901--107,000 men and women In our state have secured employment through these agencies. I am advised by the bureau of labor that the fee of $200 per annum re­ quired from private employment agen­ cies is excessive and works a hardship on many persons legitimately engaged in that line of business I recommend that the law be amended to provide for a more reasonable license fee and to require all private employment agencies to keep a record showing the number of appli­ cations received and the disposition made of the same; to regulate the amount charged for registration; to prohibit any such agencies from sending female help to places of questionable reputation, and to provide that the records of such agen­ cies shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of the commissioners of labor or their representatives. Problem of Convict Labor. One of the most important subjects which I have to bring to your attention is that of the employment of the con­ victs in tne penitentiaries. The competi­ tion of convict labor with free labor should not exist. I am In favor of alto­ gether abolishing such competition, and have reason to hope for a satisfactory solution before the adjournment of the present general assembly. Early in my administration as governor the convict .labor question was taken up for syste­ matic consideration, with a view to reach­ ing a settlement of it which should be conclusive, and *t the same time satis­ factory to all interests involved. Protecting the Children. Attention has been given recently to material reforms In the work of this de­ partment. Now not only Is action taken against the employer, but the child under 14 is turned over to the officers of tha compulsory department of the board of education of Chicago and returned to school. Whenever an Inspector finds a «hild who Is palpably under the age of 14 years, the affidavit is taken up for investigation. If It proves false, and if it be shown that the age Is less than 14 years, the child is placed back in school, the parents censured and the employer is given a proper warning. In my opin­ ion fifty inspectors would not be too many. New York has forty-eight, Massa­ chusetts has thirty and Pennsylvania thirty-six. Praise for State Charities. The state board of charities now has sixteen charitable institutions under Its Jurisdiction. Fifteen of these are in ac­ tive operation and furnish accommoda­ tions for over 11,000 inmates. The other, the State Home for Delinquent Boys, is in process of construction. The forty- 6econd general assembly appropriated $4,438,024.92 for the enlargement and main­ tenance of these institutions for the two years beginning July 1, 1901. I confidently assert that our state charitable institu­ tions are conducted with economy, effi­ ciency and humanity. All obligations and pledges are being fulfilled to the letter in these particulars. I further assert that they are equal, in these and all respects, If not superior, to the Institutions of oth­ er states or any other state. I challenge comparison, state by state and Institu­ tion by institution. All Insinuations and declarations to the contrary are as cruel, cowardly and contemptible as they are unfounded and false. The latest census of the county alms­ houses shows that there are 2,986 Insane persons confined in them. These county almshouses are not, as a rule, prepared to give Insane people the attention they require. In many counties no special pro­ vision Is made for their separation from sane inmates and in a large majority of the counties no special attendants are employed to look after them. The ques­ tion of adequately providing for the In­ curable or chronic Insane should receive your most careful consideration. I also recommend that the statute be 90 amend­ ed as to strike the word "incurable" from the title of the Institution at Bartonvllle. Home for Delinquent Boys. Two years ago the general assembly provided an appropriation of $35,000 for a rural home for boys. As provided by the statute, I appointed a commission to se­ lect a site. The commission selected a beautiful tract of land near St. Charles, In Kane county. Including about 1,000 acres, donated by citizens, and estimated in value at $100,000. Upon an additional subscription fund of $50,000 being guaran­ teed I appointed a board of seven trus­ tees, who selected a superintendent. There have been donated by architects elaborate plans for buildings, providing accommodations for 1.000 boys, committed by the various courts (Instead of being sent to the state reformatory and schools for delinquent boys and similar institu­ tions, as has heretofore been the prac­ tice), and the outline maps and designs for locations of buildings, drives, play­ grounds and farm and garden plots have been submitted to me, and been ap­ proved, as well as the plans for- two sample cottages which it is proposed to erect with the $35,000 appropriated. This Is a great and worthy enterprise, and the state should have its full part In it, and not leave the institution to be completed and supported by donations. Liberal appropriations are proper. State Care of Consumptives. By Joint resolution the senate and house of the forty-first general assem­ bly directed the state board of health to investigate the advisability of estab­ lishing a state sanitorium for consump­ tives and to report therebn to the govern­ or before Jan. 1. 1901. By this report it was shown (1) that tuberculosis is the cause of one-seventh of all deaths; (2) that it Is estimated that over 8,500 persons died annually in Illi­ nois from tuberculosis; (3) that tuber­ culosis is a preventable disease; that while there is no Infectious disease whlcli causes such disaster in the human fam­ ily, there Is none which Is more easily prevented; (4) that tuberculosis Is a cura­ ble disease, especially In its earlier stages; (5) that patients suffering from tuberculosis, especially those of the poor­ er classes, cannot be properly cared for at their homes, and that the state, for both humanitarian and economical rea­ sons, should care for the consumptive, and should prevent him from endangering the lives of those about him. One insti­ tution seems imperative. I recommend the construction of such an institution-- the size and expense to be according to your judgment. The Public Schools. Legislation affecting the public school system is always Important. According to the latest census there are In Illinois 1,601,175 persons of lawful school age- that is, between the ages of six and 21 years. Of this total number, nearly 1,000,- 000 were actually enrolled In the publlo schools last year. The schools were kept open an average of 7.6 months, or nearly two months in excess of the minimum re­ quired by law. The total number of teach­ ers and supervisors employed was 17,186. Of these 12,475 were In the ungraded or one-room schools. The buildings and grounds used for public school purposes are worth $51,444,902; while the apparatus and libraries are valued at $1,320,020. There la a total of 12,855 schools In the state. There are 350 high schools, this number including 24 township schools. These high schools enrolled 41,151 pupils, employed 1,606 teachers and cost for main­ tenance $1,50U,OOO. Eighty-elglit of the high schools are in separate buildings valued at more than $4,000,000. The resources are the Income from the township funds, the annual appropriation of $1,000,000 In lieu of the old two mill tax, and the amounts raised by district taxation. The latter In 1902 amounted to $18,062,572.90. The aggre­ gate expenditures were $19,899,624.64. Regarding school legislation generally, 1 trust that whatever recommendations may be made by Prof. Alfred Bayllss, superintendent of public Instruction, who Is the able head of our public school sys­ tem, will receive the consideration which is due him by reason of his present posi­ tion, his pact experience, and his ac­ knowledged ability. I will take this op­ portunity to say, however, that I favor a reasonable increase of the amount ap­ propriated annually for distribution to the school districts. This sum has re­ mained at $1,000,000 for many years. In spite of the fact that the State has grown wonderfully in population and resources and wealth. Railroad and Warehouse Commission. The first report of the railroad and warehouse commission, which was for the year ending June 30, 1871, showed a total mileage of all railroad tracks. Including Single arid double main, side-tracks, etc., of 5,066% miles, while the total number of tons of freight carried was 6,936,966. The report for the year ending June 30, 1902, shows a total mileage of 17,073.35 and a total freight tonnage of 125,210,113. In ad­ dition to the railroads represented by this mileage there are 384 miles of elevated and interurban electric railroad tracks wholly within the state, and several hun­ dred miles more of these classes of rail­ road chartered and in process of con­ struction, over 'nhlch the commission has partial Jurisdiction. These figures are sufficient to indicate the enormous growth of the transportation Interests since the creation of the railroad and warehouse commission. Questions relating to the cros^ng of steam and electric railroads and of elec­ tric railroads with others of the same class, have frequently come before the railroad and warehouse commission and the commission has assumed jurisdiction under the general laws of the state and has heard evidence and entered orders In such cases. In order that all questions eg Jurisdiction over electric railroads may be settled beyond controversy, there appears to be a necessity for specific legislation defining the duties and pow­ ers of the commission with respect to this class of railroads. Primary Election Law. There are many who believe that a great deal of the friction which arises In all parties is due to the varying kind of primaries held, and to the scattering of the county conventions throughout four months. It is argued that if It would be absurd to hold an election in Cook county on Monday, in Peoria on Tuesday, Kane on Wednesday, Sangamon on Thursday, St. Clair on Friday and Mor­ gan on Saturday, why is it not absurd to hold 100 conventions on 100 different days? If it is desirable to vote at the polls on the same day throughout tha state, why is it not desirable to vote at primaries on a common day? Why not have all the ward and township primaries of all parties held on a given Monday, the county conventions on the next dey, Tuesday, and the state conventions on the third day, Wednesday, and thus sim­ plify the whole matter? It would keep every politician at home and the colonizer and the walking delegate politician would be "out of a Job." It would leave everj county and township and ward to settl4 Its own affairs and so give home rule. It would remove from every contest the hampering question of its effect upon other contests at other times. And It would compel every county to give up the unprincipled Idea of joining the winner at the last moment. As to primaries, the day Is sure to come when every man must vote his direct choice, by ballot, for both delegates and candidate. The plan in American, republican, and productive of honest politics. I sincerely hope to see it enacted iruo law at this session in som« form. Sta/te Finances in Good Shap*. The subject of state finances is on« •athich It would afford me pleasure tc dis­ cuss at considerable length, so gratifying is the present financial condition of the state, and so astounding is the contrast between conditions now and those which prevailed a few years ago. All debts hav« been paid, and on the fi *st of this month there was in the treasury a working bal­ ance of $2,875,476.63. In conclusion, 1 have only to sa* that If, at any time during the session. I shall become satisfied that it is my duty to rec­ ommend to the general assembly any par­ ticular subject for consideration. I shall not hesitate to exercise the constitutional prerogative of the executive In that par­ ticular, feeling well assured that the general assembly will carefully and wise* lv deal with all subjects thus presented y RICHARD YATES. THE HEART NOT CONSULTED. Irish Judge Tells of Some Marriages in That Country. Judge Adams, the County Court Judge of Limerick, in presiding at a lecture on Irish humor at the Irish So­ cial club, on Friday night, spoke of the humors of Irish matchmaking. Ac­ cording to the well-known proverb, marriages were made in heaven, but anybody who knew rural Ireland knew that very often marriages were made In public houses. They were generally made on Shrove Monday, and the talk between the parties concerned was not of love or constancy or of blue eyes and golden hair, but mostly about cows and sheep, pigs and feather beds. "It often hi ppened Chat a bride and bride­ groom met for the first time at the altar. A young girl once rushed into the house of a firi friend of hers and said: "Mary, Mary, I'm to be married in the morning!" "Yerrah, to whom?" Inquired her friend. "To one of the boys of the Donovans." "To which of them?" asked her friend. "Well," said the bride, " 'twas rather dark near the treplacs, and I didnt rightly know which." The judge mentioned another case where a woman called out to her daughter an hour earlier than usual of a morning: "Mollie, get up at once." "Yerrah, for what, mother?" "You're to be married to-day, Mollie." "In­ deed, and to whom?" inquired Mollie. "Now, what's that to you?" inquired the mother.--London, Chronicle. A Case of Necessity. Old Rastus, who once was a sleep­ ing car porter, is a character about General Passenger Agent George H. Daniel's office at the Grand Central station. He does the dusting and keeps the cat from eating up the tongs, literature, etc. Uncle Rastus is said to be very fond of poker as a gentleman's pastime during off hours. The day after Christmas, when Mr. Daniels arrived at the office, he wished Rastus a Merry Christmas. "I suppose you hung up your stock­ ing, Rastus?" "No, Sah," said Rastus; "I hung up ma overcoat, Sau. I hatter, er go without ma dinnah. Bah."--Philadel­ phia Ledger. MILLION-TON DIAL FALLS. Famous Rock on the Atteghsnlea Drops Suddenly Into Valley. When the citizens of the town at Tazewell, Va., looked out threi* miles in the clear, crisp air of th* mountains recently, they missed the familiar landmark that had greeted their eyes daily. Dial rock, the beat* tiful promontory that boldly jutted out at the top of one of the tallest of the Alleghany range, was gone. It was a famous picnic table. It was in full view of the Norfolk & Western trains, and was pointed out to travelers as a great natural won­ der. The face of the great rock re­ sembled an old-fashioned dial. No one saw it fall; no one heard it crash. The people there simply found its millions of tons of stone broken In the valley below. The heavily- wooded mountain below had been swept of trees by the crash. No one can account for the fall. STATE HAPPENINGS SUCCINCTLY TOLD BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS THREE MEN VENT THEIR WRATH STRIKE BIG VEIN OF PLUMBAGO GOSSIP OF THE LEGISLATORS No one should be so Intensely re­ ligious as to insist that all others should accept him as the example. Meet While Responding to a Matri­ monial Advertisement. Three men seeking the same young lady to make her their bride arrived in Mineral, being attracted to that city through a matrimonial advertise­ ment Henry Forbes, a ranchman of eastern Kansas, arrived , first. He was followed by John Davis of Frank­ lin county. Mo., and George Yost of western Iowa. They stopped at the same hotel and began comparing notes and discovered that they were all on the same mission, but they were dumfounded when they found that it was the same girl that each was seeking. The three men went to­ gether to the home of the woman, vented their wrath on her for unfaith­ fulness and departed. Vowing that neither would have anything more to do with her. It has been stated that each of the prospective bridte- grooms purchased her a silk wedding gown, gave her jewelry and some money. She is pretty, dashing, young and quite clever. RETAIL MERCHANT8 TO MEET Prospectors Make a Valuable Find Near Harrisburg. While prospecting for zinc and lead on the holdings of the Big Four zinc mining and prospecting company, eight miles south of Harrisburg, N. W. Ferguson struck a five-foot vein of the finest quality of plumbago used in the manufacture of load pencils, stove polish, lubricants, etc. This is some­ thing unexpected in southern Illinots and is causing considerable excitement in Saline county. It is said there are only two other districts in the United States where plumbago is found. Tax Rate Comparisons. The total tax rate for Chester is $6.30 per |100--state, 40 cents; county, 75 cents; municipal. $2.40; school, $2.75. In the other incorporated cities and villages of Randolph county the rate is as follows: Sparta, $7.65; Rockwood, $5.95; Coulterville, $5.65; Percy, $4.40; Ellis Grove, $3 65; Bald­ win, $3.45; Red Bud, $3.15; Steeleville, $2.95; Ruma, $2.90; New Kaskaskia, $2.80; Prairie du Rocher, $2.75; Evaus- ville, $2.35; Old Kaskaskia, $1.15. Alton Making Preparations for Their Entertainment Feb. 16. A meeting of the Alton retail mer­ chants has been held for the purpose of making complete plans for •enter­ tainment of tne delegates to the retail merchants' state convention, which will be convened in Alton Feb. 16 for a three-day session. The sessions of the convention Will be held at Spald­ ing auditorium, and the closing feature will be a banquet at Turner hall. A large number of delegates arc expected to attend the convention of retail mer­ chants. New Corporations. The following corporations have been licensed by the secretary of state: Farmers' grain, live stock and coal association of Deer Creek; to oper­ ate grain elevators, stock yards and coal and lumber yards; capital stock, $3,000. Incorporators--J. C. Culbert- son, Frank Field and ftobert Lane. Illinois stationery company of Rock- ford certified to an increase of capital stock from $2,500 to $10,000. The Fidelity loan and trust com­ pany of Pierre, S. D., was licensed to do business in Illinois; capital stock, $250,000; capital stock in Illinois, $2,400. Regains Historic Relic. Sangamon county is to regain pos­ session of the historic chandelier which hung for years in the circuit courthouse. During the remodeling of two years ago the chandelier, which Is a fine piece of cast bronze work, and it valued at over $500, was lost, and it .turned up later in possession of C. A Roosa, a plumber, who had charge of that part of the remodeling work. A suit for replevin was instituted and the property recovered. United Presbyterian Elder*. At a meeting of the United Presby­ terian congregation of Pinckneyville W. G. Wilson and W. G. Blair were elected elders for a term of three years. They will be installed Sunday morning, Jan. 18. William Dyer and Gilbert Wilson were elected trustees for a term of three years and James McLean and Green Brayfleld were chosen for two years. Thomas Blair and Robert Smiley were lected for one year. Marry at Pana. Dr. Vincent L. Cohenour of Jollet, 111., and Miss Myrtle Belle Harbour, residing northwest of Pane., were mar­ ried by Rev. E. W. Clarke, D. D. The bride is a graduate of Illinois woman's college at Jacksonville, and is promi­ nent in society circles. The groom is a graduate of Illinois college at the same place, of the college of North­ western university, and saw service in the hospital corps during the Span­ ish-American war. Engineer Is Killed in His Cab. J. E. Kelly, who is an engineer on fast -mail train No. 8, was killed in his cab. His train had just passed Buda on its way to Chicago, and was going sixty miles an hour, when the side rod on his side of the engine broke. The steel flail, in its revolu­ tions, smashed the cab to pieces, and beat Kelly so severely that he soon died. The fireman, E. A. John&on, narrowly escaped the same fate. Repairing Engines. Employes in the repair shop of the Wabash railroad at Springfield are now turning out one engine in first- class shape every day. For some time after the settlement of the recent strike the motive power was just touched up enough to keep it going, but now the engines are being given a thorough and general overhauling. To Dedicate a Church. The date of the dedication of the new Methodist church in Mattoon has been set for the first Sunday In Feb­ ruary. Bishop Fitzgerald will deliver the dedicatory address, and other prominent ministers of the church will be present to assist. The handsome new pipe organ will shortly be placed in the church, and an organ recital will be a feature of the dedication festivities. The church is one of the finest edifices in that part of the state and will cost $45,000 when completed. Immerse the Converts. A protracted meeting is being con­ ducted in the Baptist church in Shobonier by Rev. Clemens of Central City and Rev. Hicks of Vandalia. The meetngs are being well attended. A number of converts have been im­ mersed. Judicial Convention. A call has been issued for a conven­ tion to be held at Pana March 3, 1903, to nominate three Democratic candi­ dates for circuit judge. There are nine contestants in the field. Fund for Logan Monument. The pupils of the Murphysboro town­ ship high school will give an entertain­ ment on Feb. 14, in commemoration of Gen. John A. Logan's birthday, which falls on the 9th. The proceeds of the entertainment are to go toward rais­ ing a fund to erect a Logan monument in Murphysboro. Gen. Logan was born and reared In Murphysboro and the old log cabin in which he was born still stands on Eighteenth street. High Price for Illinois Land. The largest price ever paid for land in Saline county was paid at Harris­ burg when John Davenport bought a thirty-five-acre tract of land, one-half mile south of the city for the sum of $6,500, or nearly $186 an acre. Land ordinarily sells there at $25 to $40 an acre, but this land is known to be un­ derlaid with an 8-foot vein of the finest coal mines, will sink a shaft on this property. Horsethief Detectives Elect. The annual meeting of the Wood river horse thief detective society was held ^t East Alton, and the following officers were elected: Herbert Culp, president; William Wickenhause, vice presidert; Charles Ferguson, secre­ tary; Fred Penning, treasurer. The report of the secretary showed there was in the treasury over $2,000. Mrs. Yates to Receive. While the legislature is in session Mrs. Richard Yates will give a recep­ tion on Wednesday evening of each week for the members, their friends and politicians from over the state who may happen to be in |_he city. The hours will be from 8 to 11. Similar receptions were given two years ago, during the session of the last general assembly. Drill for Gas and Oil. Fifteen capitalists of Taylorville have subscribed $10,000 to be used in prospecting for oil and j|as in this locality. A drill will be purchased and other arrangements made for be­ ginning the work at once, it is the intention of the promoters to drill 4,- 000 feet unless oil and gas be found before that depth is reached. Voluntary Bankrupt. Two voluntary petitions in bank­ ruptcy were filed in the federal courts of Springfield Otto Taylor and bis wife, Mary E. Taylor, both of Drummer township, Ford county, schedule liabil­ ities for the former at $2.C28.30 and for the latter at $1,599, and assets for the former at $159 and for the latter at $55. Three Calves at a Birth. M. Klasner, living near North Al­ ton, owns a cov; that gave birth to three calves at one birth. Two of the calves died within a few days after birth, but the third one is living and in good health. Mr. Klasner says It is the first time he ever knew of such an occurrence as three calves being born at one time. Dame Rumor Assigns Committeeships to the State Lawmakers. In the gossip on the house commit­ tee chairmanships it is said that Rep­ resentative Montgomery of Moro would like to head the committee on fish and game; Schnipper and McEl- vain are talked of for mines and min­ ing; Owen and Wilkerson for civil service reform; Chiperfield for penal and reformatory institutions; Swigart for contingent expenses; Curtis, Wheeler and Murray for appropria­ tions, and Burgett for live stock and dairying. Speaker Miller has not yet begun to consider his selections for appoint­ ment on the Republican house steer­ ing committee. It is said that Mr. Sherman will be offered a place on the steering committee. Gossip^as to the senate committee chairmanships is more definite, and this is how the gossips haves assigned the places: Judiciary, Humphrey; ap­ propriations, Gardner; railroads, Townsend; drainage and waterways, Clark; enrolled and engrossed bills, Pemberton; contingent expenses, Campbell; banks and banking, Hughes; live stock and dairying, Koch; corporations, Berry. But all of this is gossip, and it is probable that no committees will be announced until after the election of a United States senator. The state bureau of labor has pre­ pared a bill amending the law as to employment agencies. The present law created the state free employment agcncies and fixed a yearly license fee of $200 for all private employment agencies. The new law reduces this fee, but places all agencies under con troi and supervision of the state au thorities. State Game Commissioner Lovejoy, acting in conjunction with a commit tee from the State Sportsmen's asso­ ciation, has prepared a revision of the Illinois game laws. The purpose is tc include protection for all classes oi game, some birds and animals having be€n omitted in the previous laws, it has also been the purpose of simplify ing the statute. One feature of the bill prohibits the killing of any sort of game for com merclal purposes. The open season for the killing of various sorts of game are as follows: Quail, November; grouse, September; woodcock and doves, October and No vember; snipe and plover, Sept. 1 to April 25; wild geese, ducks or others water fowl, excepting the mud hen and coot, from Se|t. 1 to April 15. This section prevents also the killing of any game at night or from ambush. It is made unlawful to kill deer and wild turkey at any time. Senator Burnett will Introduce in tne senate a bill to repeal an act passed by the last general assembly regulating the interment or other dis posal of dead bodies. This act re­ quired permits for the burial or re­ moval of a body in all parts of the state. Senator Burnett says that it is impracticable in country districts an<! has proved to be a source of annoy­ ance. He declares that the law is c dead letter in his district and he see:* no reason why it should remain on the statute books. Both houses met In joint session Jan. 8 to canvass the vote of state offi­ cers. Inasmuch as the new hands at the helm were unfamiliar &ith legisla­ tive procedure, the proceedings were rather choppy, but after ex-Speaker Curtis and Clerk Reeve took seats be­ hind Speaker Miller and prompted him the programme was rendered more smoothly. Senator A. C. Clark has the honor of introducing the first bill of the session. He put in two, both of which relate to Chicago. The more im portant of the measures provides that the various taxing bodies in Chicago pay their share of the cost of levying and collecting taxes. At present ttae county has to foot the entire bill. Senator Clark's other bill offers a means whereby territory can be an­ nexed to the Chicago sanitary district Miners Are Injured. William Johnson, a coal miner in the shaft at Athens, was probably fa­ tally injured in the fall of a large quantity of slate from the roof of the room in which he was working. He was completely buried from sight by the mass. A companion named John Whitehurst was also caught by the slate and-bad one leg badly injured/ Smallpox in Macon County. The state board of health has dis­ covered several cases of smallpox in Macon county. The patients number about a dozen, but the disease is in a mild form. Drowns in a Cistern. Sallie Doolln, an aged and feeble­ minded inmate of the Randolph county farm, committed suicide by drowning herself in a cistern, the covering of which she had removed. She was a member of a well-known family near Steeleville and had been at the farm for about ten years. To Prospect for Coal. Arrangements are being made to prospect for coal in the vicinity of Greenfield and it is believed that It can be found in sufficient ouantity lo justify the sinking of a shaft Big Field of Redtop. t)r. A. 1. Spriggs has purchased 400 acres of land, known as the Thomas Centers farm, located five miles south of Flora, for a consideration of $10,- 000. The entire tract will be seeded to redtop. Petitions Congress. The Quincy chamber of commerce for the second time has petitioned con­ gress to establish a department of commerce with a representative in the president's cabinet. MIGHT BE GOOD ID*A. Postoffice Is Closed. A vacancy exists in the postmaster- ship at Old Ripley, caused by the res­ ignation of the incumbent. There are no applications for the place, acd the postoffice department has posted a notice that the office will be closed. Lack of patronage has caused this con­ dition, which is due to a rurU free delivery route serving nearly all the former patrons of this office. Soldiers' Monument. A committee of the Bond county sol­ diers' monument association is now making a selection of the style of monument to be erected in memory of the soldier dead who volunteered from Bond county in the civil war, and to confer with the board of supervisors relative to locating the monument in the courthouse square. Masonic School. A school of instruction will be held under the auspices of the Masonic or­ der in Flora Jan 20, 21 and 22. The visiting delegates, to the number of 200, will represent the whole south­ eastern section of Illinois. New Weather Man. W. G. Burns has arrived In Spring­ field to take charge of the locaJ> office of the government climate and crop service, succeeding M. E. Blytone, who has gone to Phoenix, Ariz. Meteorite Falls. A small meteorite, weighing about 50 pounds, fell near the Elliott Manu­ facturing company within the city limits of Warren. The factory en­ gineer heard it strike the ground with­ in a few feet of the building. It is a heavy mass of iron worn smooth on all its outer edges. Lack of Coal Closes Schools. The public schools at Rochester were forced to close because of an iift- ability to obtain coal with which to heat the buildings. Why Professor Advocated Change* ta College Curriculum. Gentlemen," said the college presk dent to his confreres at the annua* meeting of the Amalgamated Associa­ tion of Advanced Educators, "gentle­ men, I have a novel idea to suggest to you." "Nothing Chicagoesque, I hope?* said the editor from the coast "No," said the first speaker. something decidedly practicaL" 'I object," cried the tfhief subscript tion gatherer from the city on tha lakes. "The objection is turned down,* said the chairman. "Proceed* . brother." "My scheme," said the first speaker, "is to "add as extra course to the usual curriculum. I would call it the football < course, and' devote the first six weeks, of the college year to It" "Good," said the president from New f Jersey. *'• "It would be an optional course," > the first speaker continued, "and thosa who didn't take it up would have noth* ing to do save to look on while tha others demonstrated their familiarity with the study. Then I would hat* the regular academic course beginoa, Dec. 1." »' 'And why," inquired the advance^ educator from the far south, "and- why do you Buggest this change?" "Because," replied the first speaker*;' "because there's nothing doing in tbS old school until the whistle bkrss osl the last half of the last game of ths season. That's why." Whereupon the educators adjourned. to think It over. HI8 PLEA A FAILURE. Senator's Efforts to Boom Western Town Not Successful. ^ Senator Beveridge lived In Kansas^ tor a while after he graduated froi*. college. When the old-time land boom* ; ers get to spinning yarns, says ths* Washington Post, tha young Hoosief has one or two himself. When hs . alighted from the train at Alva, Okla* * during his late southwestern trip, h# was grasped by the hand, and torn* one exclaimed: "Well, Senator, do yon know whers I saw you the last time? In a settler's », wagon over near Dighton, Man, by golly!" "I wrote the first boom circular fat the country over there," said Mr. Be"#* erldge. "Soil four feet deep, abundant: rainfall, and all that sort of thing, 4 There was a lively business In thajt vicinity for a time. The soil was really splendid for agricultural purposes. 1 was In partnership with a man named McClellan. Mac and I worked hard t6'\. develop that part of the state." yJ- "Flourishing community now?^* asked those who had heard the senS* tor's vivid western story. "No," he replied with a dejected sftM; that would discourage a triple stats* , hood boom. "Just rAnch land." JV; •M Paddy Found the Third. • London mechanic, with the lnts**_ tlon of enjoying a practical Jokv pasted the figures of two donkeys oft the dead wall opposite to his worfc* shop. Under these figures he had written in large letters: "When shall we three meet again?" The idea of this, it need hardly bs explained, was to presuppose that, whoever should stand to read the in* scription was the third donkey. Hs then retired to his shop, from whicfc he could see how the bait would take It was not long until a man com­ ing by stopped and stood gazing i* perplexity at the two donkeys and tbfe inscription. The mechanic was elated at the manner in which his brilliant joke had worked. He burst into a 111 of loud and heaj$y laughter, which soon, however, subsided when ths man quietly turned round and Korfr fully exclaimed: "Bedad, I was all along wondhertn* where the other one was." $ •m Grant Helped Out. Capt Lamb, the Richmond member,. -, always adorns his speeches with nn» merous brief incidents, in which th* life of the colored people of the soutfc' is depicted. "The captain and I spoke from the - same platform over in Baltimore other night," said Mr. "Hank" Smith of Michigan. "He made a speech that . / took. I think he pleased the audienaa most by telling of a Democrat's pie* * in the last election for the vote of a * negro. " 'You mustn't get it into your head that Republicans emancipated ths slaves,' said a Democratic candidate' to this negro. 'That was providence,* " "Mebbe it was providence,' said this doubting colored man, "but I reckon Mars Grant helped out lots.'"--Waslfc* lngton Post vm Answered the Description. He was dining at a foreign hotel * when a detective approached an& - said: "Beg pardon, sir, I am In search of an escaped convict, and shall have IB trouble you for your passport as •" matter of form." *?' "But do I look like a convictV "Possibly not, sir. Still, I shall re­ quire to see the passport" ••••$». The Englishman, in his annoyance snatched up the bill of fare from the " table, thrust it in the detective's hand, , and exclaimed: ,** "There it is, then!" "What is this? "Sheep's head, neck of mutton, pig's feet.' The description : tallies exactly; you must come alongv with me." ?• The First-Born. Young Father--I am amazed, shock;* ed, my dear, to hear you say you ia» tend to give the baby some paregoric. Don't you know paregoric is opium, and opium stunts the growth, enfe» hies the constitution, weakens ths, brain, destroys the nerves, and pro; duces rickets, marasmus, consumption, insanity and death? Young Mother--Horrors! I never heard a word about that 1 wont glvs' the little ducky darling a drop--no. in* deed. But something must be dons to stop his yelling. You carry him a while. Father (after an bout steady •tamping with the squalling tnfant)-« Where In thunder is that paregoric?