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

rs l̂ HE PRAIRIE •*W *«%/«• STATfe EXECU- M TIV1 TO THE LEGISLATURE. Wi K/ F!®tt«Hnc Profr*aa, Material «0 "•*••• *'J«" in the Last *WO Yew*.l4k- , H* "r®3 SuPP«rt for frtat* Cl»yitle»--iree*Nl meil,lment'4 tb« Xetiool L»w--Tbs PSi'- l" ®tat® am' the Ballroadi--IkdvMmat «r«»e World's Pair. *•>' Gov. Fifer's message has been pre- i'V j*ent«d to the State Legislature, now In « JfeWion, and reads as follows: *I|*b49m&c& of the Senat«-an<l House of Bepre- wntatives: ' ̂ la compliance with the Constitution I have honor to submit for your consideration my ^ jM«nmal message. I a hall not ia this eommn- TOoation attempt to diaonaa in detail every JOoaation likely to become the inbjM of leglilti- Tawn at the present aaaaion, nor ahall I protract jUanly what I have to say by a referenoe to nets falling peculiarly within yonr own know!- •W® or tbm can be readily aaoertai&ed by an ex­ amination of thd reperta made to me in obedi- !w>eate law by tbe Hat* offioera wad those in •chargyof the varions institatlons of the Btate, Which reports, for yonr convenience and in- tonnation, tare bean printed and will in doe time be laid before yon. I shall refer to such "facta and make inch suggestions only as seem •cf moat importance and as are calculated to aid 3TO* in the discharge of the responsible duties of <H session now opening. _ > "v" TEXPimnmtni. 7 A W^One of the most important questions to which 1 ., s3| invite yoar attention and which wiJl demand most seridug consideration, in view of the * • Meant eonstitntional amendment, forbidding . contract labor, is the dlapoaition that is to be f made of thepriaonera confined in the peimi in- ; Stifottona of the State at tho expiration of tbe oontractp nrtder which they are now employed ' H%eae institutions e,ro being conducted with. • jprndence, wisdom, and economy. Ihey were never in bet; ©r condition and tha management * Will bear the most rigid scrutiny. During the * Jaat year the Northern Illinois Penitentiary has •Men self-sustaining and the one at Chester " nearly so. e ± I «natl speak of these Institutions separately, lMtfinlnc with the Illinois State Penitentiary lbcated at Joliet. There were on th^st day of 'October, lffflO, 1,365 convicts confined H this in- etttntian, contracts for the labor of SOS of WhOtn V" • P ; i i - i i • GOV. FIFBH. rr fkxphwd Aug. 1,1889, and July 1,18ML other oon- Sraota expired for the labor or 125 additional cou- Victa, making the total number of convicts re- . taaaed from contract labor np to this time 430. • "Of tbe contracts yet in force seven will expire 0ct. 1,1892, releasing 472 convicts, and the re- staining contracts, seven in number, will expire ' Set. 1 and Nov. 1, 1894, releasing 3M* more. These 741 prisoners are now employed under , : existing contracts, and each is earning ou an •verage about 60 cents per day. F ) T I 1 E ( S O U T H E R N P B I S O N . October, 1890, there wero confined in the v 'Southern Illinois Penitentiary 667 convicts, 125 Of whom are working under contract, and this, •he only remaining contract, will expire oil the •Oth day of June, 1894. Two contracts have al- Jbeady expired, one on the 1st day of July and ttie other on the 1st day of August of 1B!W, re­ leasing in all 250 convicts. And I will add that Ify ifae expiration of these contracts the earning capacity of the i>rison has been reduced in the •um of S3(i,00Q annually. The convicts not ^Working under unexpired contracts are em- £l°yed in building the Institution for Insane Criminals provided for by the last General As- aembly, in making brick, cultivating the farm, Sod in and about the Warden's house and other epartmenta of the institution. For a Retailed statement of the condition and v Sresent needs of this institution I refer you » to the Warden's report and that of tho Com­ missioners, and commend to your favorable s consideration the wise suggestions which they Contain. I especially urge that the capacity for •he manufacture of brick be at least doubled, as t»y this means from fifty to seventy-five addi- #onal convict3 can bo, with a small expense, frofital'ly employed. Much time and money ave been spent by the State in building up and paudiug this industry, and now, alter the se of many years, it "has been brought to a degree of perfection and the trade largely ftpa -£V 1 jjgp ̂ . Extended. It is* believed that it affords onb of •' r»W"" the heat means for the employment of con\icts f'.-'-y - , |xi the future. The appropriations asked for by V "k8* 1ihe Commissioners of both these Institutions f * aeem reasonable, and I recommend that they - .v' . 7. Se allowed. " PRISON REFOBM. " * ~ I have thus discussed the condition of the IHi- Bois prisons so far as concerns their fiscal and jfcdustrial relations. I cannot, however, turn ®" „ -Ifrom this most important topic without re- /' * JliindiuR you that there is another and far high- * %« "*r phase of this subject of prison management, \ \ ' licit s hould claim your most humane consid- iaration. To this higher phase of the question ;j[ will now, in very general terms, invite your ^attention. 1 am exceedingly unwilling that the proud Commonwealth of Illinois should in any of its 'flepartiiientB rest content with a showing of frogress that is merely material, or which can e fully expressed and tabulated in the report Of the assessor and the census taker. Frcuu as we have a right to be of our material growth we phould never forget that all our tabulated wealth and material potencies constitute no more than • broad foundation on which to organize and se­ curely found higher and better forms of pro­ gress. Nor should we forget that opportunities lor honorable achievement in the moral world „ when unimproved become the badges of failure disgrace. • 1 In no department of State regulation and ,;.'V-.»olice activity do the humanites, in my judg- Srient, find a wider field for intelligent exercise • ' ; fhan in the great movement toward prison re- jorm which now engages the attention of many * ?> '-0t the first philanthropists of the age. The character of the reforms inaugurated and the ' • Results of the work accomplished in some sister ,-i , . 'j|tatos of the Union are doubtless well known to -:i,aQost of you and need not here be recited at ; ,^ength. The fundamental error, which a true v." ".iisrison reform must correct, is that which treats ' V with indiscriminate rigor all who violate the Criminal code, and which, in the promiscuity of - 4 common degradation, drives every pris­ oner of State into a forced and liferlong ^far against society. It is the bane of tur police regulations that they know but wo classes--those who break and those who ob- rve the cold letter of the law. Of past oppor- ' vanities, of moral capacity, of the palliations of Environment, of degrees or moral turpitude, our System takes no account whatever. We deliber- atclr draw a dead line, and he who crosses over, detected, falls at once into a gulf as black and J Sottomlese as death. We refuse to recognize, in v !,V*. * # legal way, the patent fact that in many cases ••• "Ihose who step across this line are not morally ' , . Worse than many others who dally along its - , , adge and barely miss taking the one fatal step, • ,>-< - «»r who, taking that step, have the good fortune FEF-V , < *o do BO when the police are not on guard. We . ' forget, too, that many of the most dangerous ' r * ; ' ' 4 n e m i e s o f s o c i e t y u t t e r l o n g p r a y e r s i n t h e ggy, and secure citadel of legal favor, and '• ^ - fcave learned to avoid overt acts of recognized % 1 '**rButDI am convinced that sentences of impris- i *• 1 ' " i>nment should be indeterminate as to the time ' " -» punishment. The question for the trial v V «i»urt should simply be guilty or not guilty of - the crime charged in the indictment, and the \< I-' "4 Judgment of the court should record the result "«,* • 4 , . «f a fair trial upon that question. -H J1?: it is to me a source of regret that our State * J ** »®B now, as regards prison managemeat. in a . ; ' atate of transition, made necessary by the re- "£>**'•*Jfnt constitutional amendment which may de- !:-SL1 { ' J * 1 -And lu vuo CUU WO <* Utuv,ui- -- i 1 iA&anolal as well as a rnoraJ "way. I could not, '-vt:"-'•> however, forgive myself, holding the views I do; 13J/',? it I failed in this first communication by mes- <w ^ % v' to the General Assembly to direct atten- tion to this subject, compared with which I • X * •- . V f tiold no other of greater importance. And I do r-t£ '.i'v"; . ; llJis inthe desire that whatever mav be your '• <4 opinion as to the practicability of an immediate J? " - y . "departure in the direction pointed out you may > - '• . 4kt least do nothing which will in the future *. ,->awove inconsistent with an early adoption of i'0 ::t#®ti4'^'-aalutary reforms. • '!> , / ' , If reforms are not undertaken by the present , •" 'Oenaral Assembly, I recommend for immediate ̂ sf-r •> ' #etion the good policy of so changing the law as ^ v »o invest the court instead of the jury with the ' . J ' J t t w e r t o f i x p u n i s h m e n t s i n a l l c a s e s . I a m convinced tnat the statute making the V. > -oompaneation of. State's Attorneys depend : pPon tbe number of convictions they are able * y*r"' \i to secure is not wise, and should be modified so |[ » * *• to give the public prosecutors a liberal fixed •J ,ialiiy, thuaplacing them more nearly in a ju- W»" ' wcial attitude in the discharge of their impor* '-a ' ?':i Ufant duties. I submit it is not fair to a State'* i«-V . i*4' w l ' ' - • the trial of a system which, properly ad- istered, would, I believe, prove salutary, ~ And in the end be a benefit to the State in 1.. • K* ttoraey himself thuft to make his pay con- 1 ;ent on the securing of numeroce convic- He should be made to feel as free to dis- a prisoner the justice of whose convic- on la not apparent as to oonvict one known to a guilty, while our State'a Attorney a are, as * elaaa, of high character aad would not, I am tba ebaritat*a inatito. ttoaaad ̂ aoilM îiUM^WMeaoaBl vmk, I refer yon to we exbaasttM and lumin- VBM wnwtofctba Btate Bowdof Charities, to- f8thsr alth the raporU of tlw truMaaa of the a»*«ral cbarftable fesMtntlons, ooiitoa of which reports I wiUkaMeo to b© laid before you at an early data; . for the year ending June 30,1890, the average attendance at the Soldiers' and SaUota1 Hon* TO?: atJfca BoMiew'(̂ phans' Home, 313: at the four hoapitala for tbe inaane, 3.701; ̂ the Inatitut4on for ths Kduoation of tbe Deaf andDttmb. 884:at the InstituUon tor tfae Ed«- cathm of the Blind. 131; at the Asylum for the Feeble-minded, 410; at tbe Eye and Bar infirm­ ary, 139, «ad at tbe Reform School, 359. Some- of Ujese institutions are overcrowded, and there are many outside to whom admisaion la rofaaed f°r »J"t of room. Xbe management of oar State charities will bear the cloaeat acrntiny and moat and it ia a pleaaore to aaaaat that the institutions devoted to tbe care of the unfortunate are of snob a character aa to the approval of all on* people. Each in ita sphere ia accomplishing a good work and achieving the moat gratifying reanlta. efficiency should not be impaired by insn appropriations, for they ate, in a measure, alle­ viating the wants of a Irnrm class ot oorMlow- beiaga, whose helpless ocmditlon appeals to aa for oar sympathy and charity. 'Walls extrava­ gance in all departments should be carefully guarded against, nevertheless It would be false economy to cripple or enfeeble any part of the public service by failure to provide for all reasonable demands. ciently alad to believe, weigh grains of attver against ftgainat ounces of blood, yat there la, it aeetns tte civm to aay t0t«ha ien M . iMMaadthamaa a aad drill. I wish r<\ I have received from the United States for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home the sum of V131,- 608.M, and tbe same baa bean turned over to the State Treaaurer, This money baa been trana- mitted by drafts, payable to my order at Gov­ ernor, and I aoggaat that aome action be taken whereby Um money appropriated by the Federal Government toward the maintenance of the in- mntea at tbe Home may be received directly by the Ktate Treasurer. STATE BOARr. OP AGWCDLTURK. Dlinoia baa greater natural resoureea and is eapable of supporting a denser population any other fctate in the American Union. Tbe fertility of ite soil ia unsurpassed by any in the world and furnishes boundless resources for agriculture, which industry constitutes the real basis of our great wealth and prosperity. Heal- izlng these facts, and with an earnest desire to promote the interests of the farmer, the stock- raiser and the horticulturist the General Assem­ bly wisely enacted a law for the organization of tbe State Board of Agriculture, which beard has for ite object tbe development of these de­ partments of our industrial structure. The law was amended in 1377, and it ia now1 sufficient, it is believed, to enable tbe board to effectually discharge its responaible duties respecting these gnat industries. At each session of the General Assembly, for a number of years paat, a small appropriation baa been made to the Board for the .purpose of defraying necessary expenses. The State fairs, fat stock shows, and Farmers' Inatltnte meet, lnga in the Congreaaional diatricta of the State are all held under the anapioes of this Board. The gathering, compiling, and pobllahing of information concerning the oondlnon and yield of the principal crops raised in the State during the growing seasons and immedi­ ately after the harvest are also the work of this Board. It may be said that in every instance the appropriation has been small when com­ pared with the importance and. magnitude of the work involved and the gnat good accomplished through tho well-directed energy and prudence of the gentlemen comprising the boara. In no instance, I believe, has the an­ nual appropriation exceeded $14,^00, and $100 to each Congressional district, this latter sum being for the purpose of defraying the ex­ penses of Farmers' Institute meetings. This money, I am satisfied, has been wisely and ju- dicJou8ly expended. The board ha? fully met the expectations of tbe people; and the interests of agricultan, horticulture, manufactures, and domestic arts have been greatly promoted by its intelligent action and ardent zeal in carry­ ing out the purpose aad objects of the law. Since the organization of the board in 1853 it bas disbursed $1,013,889, the greater portion of which sum is the proceeds from State fairs, fat- stock shows and other like sources. This large sum has been wisely, and, it is believed, profit­ ably expended, and in consequence agriculture and all kindred pursuits have been largely benefited. I recommend i hat reasonable appro­ priations be made to enable the board to con­ tinue the good work in which it is now engaged, LIVE STOCK COMMISSION. The live stock interest of Illinois is greater, perhaps, than that of any other State, and well merits the enactment ot wise laws for its pro­ tection and encouragement. The returns for the year 1890 show that the assessed valuation of the domestic animals of the State aggregate in round numbers £47,0^0,000, which is one- third of the assessed valuation of the entire personal property of the State. A realization of the Vastness of this interest, coupled with the fact that the geo­ graphical position of our State is such that it is made the natural gateway for the live-stock traffie of the great grazing districts of the West, whereby our own domestic animals are greatly exposed to infectious and contagious diseases, induced the Thirty-fifth General Assembly to establish a Board of I4ve-£tock Commissioners. This law was amended by the Thirty-sixth General Assembly and its provisions are now ample, it is thought, to enable the board to pro­ tect this great and rapidly developing industry. For years the much dreaded Texas-fever, of which but little is known save that native cattle exposed to the fresh trail ot Southern cattle are condemned to almost certain death, has annual­ ly depleted the herds of this State. As a result of investigations atid experiments made by the board, rules and regulations have been by them formulated and adopted for ths safe conduct of tho Immense traffic in Texas and Southern cattle into or through this State during the seasons of the year wheudanger is to be apprehended, which rules the Thirty-sixth General Assembly enacted into la «\ A rigid and successful enforcement of these rules during the last year has kept the State practically free from the ravages of this disease. The board has protected our. herds from other contagious diseases, and it is be­ lieved also that the health of the people has in many instances been preserved by them. With­ in two years this board has condemned, slaught­ ered and destroyed for human food no less than 2,54S head of catt le infected with actinomycosis, or lumpy ja#-^ contagious disease which if capable of beicg communicated to other animals and to man. 1 can not enter into a full discussion of the work that has been and is now being done by this board. For a full history of its proceedings during the last two years I respectfully refer you to ita rsport, wlucli »ml bo la duo time laid before you. The effective work accomplished by tbe board in protecting the great live-stock in­ terest of the State fully juatifiea the wiadom of the General Assembly in the passage of thelawa now upon the statute books and in making the liberal appropriations that have.bentofore been placed at the "disposal of the board, which ap­ propriations, i am convinced, have been ap­ plied in the most economical manner consistent with an efficient discharge of its important duties. It will be seen from the report referred to what appropriations are required at the hands of the present General Assembly. The amounts asked for seem reasonable, and will be needed, I am convinced, if the efficiency and usefulness of the Board is to be continued, and I therefore recommend that they be allowed. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. This is an era of official inquiry and investi­ gation, and it is made so by the demand from every side for trustworthy information on I which to base- Ijpth legislation and intelligent opinion. It has thus happened that within re­ cent years all the more progressive States, as well as the Federal Government in its wider sphere, have established bureaus of statistics, and as the great problem of the day is the in­ dustrial one these bureaus aro especially com­ missioned to procure and publish statistical information on the condition of labor in the various States and the country at large. Illinois has not been behind other States in recognizing the value of impartial investigations in this field, and the bureau of Illinois is undoubtedly making contributions of material value to the statistics of the State and the country. The report to be submitted to the present Legislature consists of an extended statistical presentation of the individual earnings of the coal miners of the State aa shown by the pay- ' rolls of the principal companies. This affords a broad basis of fact on which to formulate cor­ rect opinions and such legislation as the welfare of these industrious ana worthy citizens may demand. In the second division of this report will be found statistics relating to tbe private indebt­ edness of the people as given by the court rec­ ords of judgments rendered and. of mortgages foreclosed. This feature is supplemental to tbe statistics of mortgagee compile*} for the last report-of the bureau. And, in connection with the indebtedness thua shown-'fe# renting upon the land of the State, statlHtias have for the first time been prepared showing the actual value of the land as found in the records of deeds made in the several counties. This bureau also publishes annually a com­ pendium of tho reports of the State Inspectors of Coal Minos, containing very fun information concerning the mineral resource* of the State, the number, distribution, and condition* of mines, the prices of coal, the wages of miners, and the conditions upon which they work. The organization and maintenance of this bureau of economic information is entirely- creditable to the State, and, 1 doubt not, the members of both houses will recognize the wia­ dom of making liberal provisions for its future uaefulness. I call attention to what I atid to the Thirty- aixth General Assembly on the question of labor, and again urge that suitable legislation be had so as to secure to labor its juat awards. ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUABD. The strength of the Illinois National Guard is nearly 4,000, which is the limit allowed by law. The force is organized into two brigades, each brigade comprising three infantry regiments of twelve companies each and a battery of light artillery. At the close of the last encampment, which occurred in the summer of 1889, it had reached a high state of discipline, and its gen­ eral condition was perhaps never better than it was at that time. The Thirty-sixth General Assembly--very unwisely, it stems to me-- greatly reduced the appropriation from what it had fesmerly been, and for thia reason it was found Impossible to hold the regulas annual en­ campment for the year 1890. Without any disparagement to this fine mili­ tary organization, or the officera or men com­ posing itil am sure that those who an in a po- ̂ , y § "t ̂• ">•1 - t; " Wlttl -Mkinh eameataess, . tb»" gnuwai aflMehcy of the lm- National Gaurd is to he main­ tained pmMOB »««t tw made for holding aannal aaouapateata, whaare the different or- oaniaatteaseompoalac ftosu be inatrpcted and drilled, aad wlfcn they will xmsive a military dls«lpUM that Will pr*V*» tbe«n to meet all * te atfewith promptneaa and |̂ . apan to aid the civil au- ef the laws aad the paaoe. Unlaaa pro- , aannal encampments , Will lose all interest in eoUatmenta will oeaaa. and laorpiniiatlan will aoon fol- T ia it wiae ̂la it aafe in the high- mt. totet teate; ti it economical to allow this to that the people should demand that tbe tews in times ot peace be executed by ths civil authorities, and this is exactly whaft the statutes of Illinois provide shall be done. Whan lbs local authorities, the civil officers eteetefttarthe paopla, Hal themaelvea unable to exaoate the laws and preserve the peace, they at* authorised to call apon the Execut ive, ana ha in torn calls to their aid the military, which ia required to act in strict subordination to the civil authorities. So far aa I am aware there is no complaint among tbe people against this mode of preserving the peaoe. There are but faw who are willing to resist the execution of the law when it ia made apparent that re­ sistance would be naelesa. Therefore the moral effect produced by the praseaoe, or even the ex­ istence, of the military is generally sufficient, to enable the civil authorities to preserve the peace without any resort to force. The able and exhaustive report of the Adju­ tant General will give yon fr.ll particulars as to tbe condition ancs wantB of this organization. The appropriations asked for in the report seem reasonable and I recommend that they be allowed. Tbe report also contains many wise suggestions looking to the future efficiency and usefulness of the guard, which sugges­ tions I command to your most favorable con­ sideration. FISH COMMISSION. The Thirty-fifth General Assembly wisely enacted a law enlarging the scope and power of the Fish Commission, and repealing all other laws in conflict with the same. This law has greatly aided the commission in the prosecution of its work. It has had the effect to encourage the propagation and cultivation of fish in all the waters of the State, and has fclso greatly aided in their protection. With proper encour­ agement on tbe part of the General Assembly in the way of reasonable appropriations the fish supply of the State can be largely increased, thus furnishing the masses of the people a healthful and most excellent food. PHARMACY AND SBNTAL BOARDS. The Boards of Pharmacy aad Dental Examin­ ers are both self-sustaining, and., thenfore, do not require any appropriation at the hands of the General Assembly. The laws craeting these boards and under which each is discharging its proper functions, have for their object the pub­ lic good, and rest on both reason and experi­ ence. These boards an neoassary agenciee in the preservation of the publio health. Each in its ow» way is accomplishing much good, and deserves the continued encouragement of the of the General Aaaemblv. The present condition of these boards and the work accomplished by each since the last aea- sion of the General Aaaemblv can readily be found by an examination of their laat biennial reports EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, The estimated value of school property in the Btate at the present time is, in round numbers, $27,000,000. The total expenditures for main­ taining the schools of the Btate from July, 1889, to July, 1895, amounted to $12,000,000. This lat­ ter sum was expended in the purchase of furni­ ture and apparatus, in paying teachers, build­ ing school-hou6es, making Improvements, and in the purchase of books for poor children, and for district libraries. It is well understood that a large share of this large sum is taken by the State from the pockets of those who have no children of their own to be educated, and it is justified only on the ground that all are, politically at least, inter­ ested in the intellectual and moral develop­ ment of cach. If it is the duty of the taxpayer to bear this heavy burden, then there is a corre­ sponding duty restlnH upon tho State to see to it that the money is wisely and judicially ex­ pended. How then can this duty be dis­ charged unless the power to regulate tne schools aud to compel the attendance of children is exercised by the State? Unless the State baa this power it seems clear it has no moral or po­ litical right to levy taxes for school purposes at all. It must be manifest to all that if any con­ siderable numbfer of children are permitted to remain out of school and grow ap iu vice and ignorance through the neglect or indifference of those having control over them, then the State is not discharging its duty to the taxpayer by making the best possible u.Sfe of the money it compels him to pay. \Vith4n earnest desire to remedy any detects that might exist in the school laws of the State respecting these matters tbe General Assembly passed what is known as the compulsory ed­ ucation law, whereby children between the ages of 7 and 14 years are required to attend some public or private school for at least six­ teen weeks in each school year. Experience has shown that this law has been of great bene­ fit not only to the public schools but likewise to the private and parochial schools of the State. In 1883 there were 1,118,472 children in the State of a school-going age, only 751,349 of whom were enrolled in the public schools and lt)0,405 in the private schools, leaving 266,058 children who did not attend schools of any kind during that period. From general statistics at hand I am convinced that at least one-half of the last named, or 133,329 children, were between the ages of 7 and 14 years and should have at­ tended school but did not. Taking the statistics for the year ending June, 1890, there was a gain in the enrollment of the preceding year of 10,454. In view of the char­ acter of last winter, the bad roads and the prevalence of epidemics, this is certainly a very satisfactory showing.. Tbe increase in the at­ tendance of pupils in the public schools during the last year is 29 per cent, of all the increase during the last ten years. That is, the increase for tbe last year is just double the average in­ crease, The private and parochial schools have been benefited by the law as well as the publio schools. According to the available statistics the number of pupils attending private and parochial schools for the year lass to the year 1889 had diminished. But from the year 18S9 to the year 1890 there was an increase of such at­ tendance of 6,729. This large increase in the attendance upon our schools must be very gratifying to the friends of education throughout the State. And it must be apparent to all from what I have said that this desirable result is mainly, if not en­ tirely. due to ;the compulsory education law. There was no design on the part of the friends of this law to deal harshly or unjustly with the private or parochial schools, but rather to ad­ vance the cause of education by benefiting all of the schools of the Slate. It is conceded, however, by all that the law needs to be amended, since by its enforcement injustice, it is thought, has been caused in some instances. The law, being a new one, perfection was scarcely to be expected, and that it should need amendment ought to occasion no surprise. Perfection in laws comes only after long trial and experience. It is not claimed that the law is perfect, and nobody is more willing to amend it than its friends. I conclude, therefore, that the general effect of the law has been good, and that in its essen­ tial features it should be maintained; bat it should be amended so as to remove all juat causes of complaint on the part of any of the citizens of the State. The standard of excellence respecting our public schools is doubtless better than at any former period in the history of our State, and this Jesuit is largely due to the ability and ef­ ficiency of our present Superintendent of Pub­ lic Instruction. This fact must be very grati­ fying indeed to the friends of popular education. The University of Illinois, located at Cham­ paign, and the two norm-.l schools are in a thriving and prosperous condition, and they have, by the good work accomplished, fully vin­ dicated the wisdom of the State in their estab­ lishment and support. i lOBely connected with the educational inati- tutions of the State stands tbe Historical Li­ brary, provided for by act of the last General Assembly. Tbe Library Board, which has been appointed, is now fully organized and has al­ ready accomplished considerable in the way of establishing a library, such as is contemplated by the law. I recommend that further assist­ ance be granted so as to enable the board to continue its work. The report of the board con­ tains much valuable and interesting informa­ tion and will furnish facts sufficient for intel­ ligent action oh the part of the General As­ sembly. BKPOhTS OF STATE OPFICKBS. The reports of the Secretary of State, Attor­ ney General, Auditor of Public Accounts, Treas­ urer, and Superintendent of Public Instruction contain much valuable information, and from them vou will be advised respecting the condi­ tion of their offices. The respective terms for which the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Treasurer were elected having expired, my official relations with them are -closed. I cannot, however, allow myself to separate from them without testifying to the faithful, efficient and fearless manner with which they have dis­ charged every public duty. Various and responsible duties have from time to time been cast by law upon the Aud­ itor of if iblic Accounts ; duties that do not, it would seem, properly belong to his office^ In addition to his ordinary duties as Auditor, this officer is required to look after that large and ever increasing insurance business of the State, also the inspection of banks incorporated under our statute. Thus three offices have, in effect, been combined in one. That a proper discharge of the duties of Bank Inspector and Commis­ sioner of Insurance requires some special training or qualifications will be con­ ceded by all who are in any way fa­ miliar .with these subjects. Many of the States have separated these offices, and I recom­ mend that b similar law be enacted by the present General Assembly, providing for the election and appointment of a Commissioner of Insurance and Bank Inspector, and that such officer be required to perforin all the duties that are now required of the Auditor respecting the insurance business of the State and the inspec­ tion of banks. I think it will bo found that the fees earned by the office will aiake it self-sus­ taining, not only defraying tbe ordinary exr pensee for conducting the office, but will also pay the salary of the incumbent. Recent da* af the haalaau .of. buetoaeai* MaaaeteiT .1|w .HiteS? lUuorai baa, I an informed, located tha offioa of Com- ndaahmar ot Inauraaee at the elty of St. Louia; Proper voooben for all ihonay paid out by tbe Governor from funda subject to his order will be found on file in the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts. I submit for your consideration the following estimates of appropriationa fat the yeara 1B91 aadlKSr «Noattaaa* faint JftCn andeMattt epartffisnt, oompoaed ' Governor, flsvretavw *>r, TNMorar. Attotv (90,000 823,000 40,000 10,000 33,003 40,000 96,030 23,000 240,000 100,000 *»,000 48,000 20,000 52,400 •s.ooo 61,209 40,000 10,000 100,000 Legislative Department •380,000 The Executive Pej " * " of the offVoee of of State, Auditor, „ ney General, aalaitea aad expenees; alt o salaries and axpanaea Of the eeti eral Btate Boards, 1 pomading Bailroad and Warehouse, Canal, Labor, Liva Stock, aad Fiah ConsmiiiioM; State Board ot Agriculture, State Board of Equalization, State' Board of Chad- ties, and 8tate Board of Health, state Entomologist, Mine Inspector, and State Agents at Stock Yatds Judicial Departm't, aaliurles of Judgea State's Attorney*, Commission of Claim a, and exponaos Carrying conviota to and from peniten­ tiaries Carrying conviota to and from Befonn School Arresting and returning fugitive from justice Publio printing for State purpoaea Paper and stationery for the same..... Binding......: . Illfitota National Guard. .. Illinois State Penitentiary Southern IBlnola Penitentiary, for or­ dinary expenaes «v........ Southern Illinois Penitentiary, for apeeial purposes. Live Stock Oommiaaion, ordinary ex- peams Southern Normal University, ordinary * ,.M Illinois State Normal University, for current expenses, including one-half interest in the college aad seminary fond Univawity of Illinois, ordinary ex- pen aea and salaries Ordinary expenses and maintenanoe of inmates of four State Hoapitala for the Inaane. fieaf. Dumb, aad BlindL and Feeble-Mmded Asylums* tbe So£- diers Orphans' Home, the GhaHtaAii Eye and Ear Infirmary, State Reform School, and Soldiers and Bailors' Home 1,980,030 Pchool purposes 2,000,00# Estimates for contingent appropria­ tions for Illinois aud Michigan Canal State Board of Health continent fund Live Stock Commission, contingent fund Awards of Claims Commission THE CLAIMS COMMISSION. * The Thirty-sixth General Assembly provided by law for the appointment by the Governor of a commission to hear and determine those claims against the State which formerly found no ether trlbUhal than the Legislature itself, where tbe opportunity for their Impartial con­ sideration waa not. It ia believed, so food as would be enjoyed by a court eatabllahed for that purpose. In thla step our Btate but imi­ tated the prudanoe of the 'leneral Government and many of our sister Statee, which have long had commiaaions of thla character; and the experience of the last two years, I think, justified the wisdom which prompted the General Aasembly to provide for this tribunal. The evidence iu support of claims which have been heard by the able Board of Commiaaionen appointed has bam undoubt­ edly more carefully examined and more thor­ oughly sifted than a buay General Assembly could poesibly have found time to do in the bustle and heat of a seaalon. and the ends reached are more in harmony witb justice. A class of apeculative claims >hich could hope for no status before a tribunal thus organized and proceeding aooording to legal forms are by such a regulation placed where they will cease to annoy the General Assembly, to the expedi­ tion of legitimate legislative business The Claims Contmission has since its organi­ zation allowed an aggregate of claims amount­ ing to $8,682, which sum I reoommend be appro­ priated for the payment of the several adjudi­ cated claims embraced in this amount. RAILROAD AM) WA HKHOVSF, BOARD. The able report of the BaOroad and Ware­ house Commission will bo found to contain .much information of a practical character which can but prove of great interest to the people of the State, and particularly instructive to those who make the laws. Tho limits of this communication do not permit me to comment in detail upon the important matters and wise suggestions con­ tained in this report. I cannot, however, re­ frain from expressing my hearty indorsement of those suggestions and recommendations which call'for the passage of such laws as will insure greater eafety to employes in the opera­ tion of railway trains, and also increased ee- curity to the traveling public. Particularly am I impressed with what is said in this report up­ on the necessity of providing by statute for some way in which the gnat number of grade crossings in Illinois may be guarded by late and appropriate appliances, thus reduc­ ing the liability of accidents by collision of trains at such points to the lowest possible minimum. 1 mention this? particular subject, which will be found ably dnouesed in ths report iu question, because it bears so directly upon the public welfare, and appeals to us all on tbe side of humanity. The entin report will be read by you, and its minor suggestions will, no doubt, receive from you the consideration their import­ ance deserves, without a separate mention of each in this message, which is not practicable. THE ILLINOIS CKNTUAIt KAILliOAD. The Illinois Central Bailroad sustains such special lelations to the State Government of Illinois, in addition to those important relations it shares in common with all other roads of the State, that its affairs may properly be made the subject of special mention in this 'message. Under the wise provision which retained to the State, in co»8ia«ration of the franchise, and valuable lauds granted to this company, an in­ terest to the. extent of 7 per cent, of the gross earnings ot the road, to be paid annually into the State Treasury, there has been paid to the State, all told, for the years from 1855 to 189,), inclusive, the fim of $12,30T»,C1«. Upon the $40,000,000 of capital stock of the company paid in there was paid as dividends in the same period tht sum of #*4,782,357, showing that an amount slightly exceeding 19 per cent, of the total paid as dividends on such §40,000,000 of paid-in stock lias been turned into the State Treasury; or a sum equal to 10.03 per cent, of the whole sum paid both to the State and upon stock. The last year the State's 7 pt* cent, of gross earnings paid amounted to $486,281, and on said §40.000,000 of stock were dxstributeu as diviueuuti 00,000, tbe State's portion being nearly 17 per cent of the whole amount so paid. Ths showing for tho last six months ending Oct. 31,1890, gives the State as its 7 per cent of earnings $257,219, or at a rate which would make the income of the State from this source over half a million per year, exceeding in amount any other half year in the history of the road. The last year as a whole has yielded the State a larger revenue than any other year except 1805, which, coming ing in a period of war prices aud inflation, hardly constitute a fair eomparlson. On the whole, I think the rapid increase in the State's revenues from this source in the late years, rising as they have from $307,798.92 in 1885 to 6483,281.03 in 1890, presents an encour­ aging prospect, aad speaks well for the efficien­ cy of ih > present management of the company, under which, if continued, we may reasonably expect the annual revenues of the State from this source will not hereafter fall below a half million dollars. The further building of new competing lines of railroad such as have of late years greatly reduced the cross earnings of the road below what they otherwise would have been, having entirely ceased, there seems cause to hope for a gradual and healthy growth in the revenue of the lines in which the State will share with the owners of the stock. THE ILLINOIS ANI> MICHIGAN CANAL. The report of the Commissioners, soon to be printed and laid before you, will furniah fall and explicit information concerning the operation and present condition of tho Illinoia and Mich­ igan Canal. The earninga for the last two years amount to §183,054.17. The total expenses for the same period amount to $170,110.27. Tbe first day of December, 1890, there was on hand $70,333.03, out of which sum there have been paid the monthly expenaes for November' of that year, amounting to $7,200, whioh sum, together with the dtfbts now being in­ curred for rebuilding aqueducts will reduce the sum on hand to about $30,000. Unleaa the contingent fund of £20,000 per annum is ap­ propriated, it is believed by the Commissioners that it would be unwise to reduce tbe amount in the treasury much below what it now is. It has been tbe policy of former General Assem­ blies to keep on hand a large contingent fund so as to enable the Commissioners auccesafnlly to meet railroad competition and other contingen­ cies likely to arise. It may be here stated, how­ ever, that in no instance has it been found necessary, 1 believe, to use any portion of this contingent fund, and tbe same has uniformly The net earnings of ihe canal for the last two years amount to §5,807.90. This sum would have been much larger had it not been for tbe fact that expensive and much needed Improve­ ments have been recently made. It may be re- xnarked that these improvements are of a sub­ stantial and permanent character. The Commissioners in their report represent that the lock gates at Henry and those at Cop­ peras Creek are in bad condition and will have to be replaced with new ones and that a new miter-sill is very much needed, at the latter place. Special appropriations are thought necessary for these improvements unless the annual contingent fund is provided for. This canal, in connection with the Illinoia Kiver, constitutes a system of water communi­ cation through our btate and largely reduces freight rates along its line. The affaire of this great public highway have been for the last two years wisely and economically managed, and it is well worth the support and encouragement it receives at the hands of the State. I will cause the report of the Commissioners to be printed and in due time placed before ^ou. STATE BOARD OF HXALTH. The State Board of Health has proved an efficient agency in the preservation of the pub­ lic health. The able anc|a prudent manner in which affairs have been cbndaotod during the last two years entitle it to the nnewed confi­ dence of the people and the continued support of the General AaaembUr. In recant yeara much time haa bean devoted by the board to an ex­ amination of the water supply of the State and tho pollution of its streams- A thorough study certain localities of tho State, bat wen genar- ally teaachlunder oontrol when the lnatruo- tionaef the board ware obeyed, la manv eaaea the adMee of the board waa wholly diarenrded. and aw a nault a apraad of ths disease uraaUv foltMKsd. The tow ahould be amended ao aa to make It obligatory anon the local anthoriUea to report nmnptly all dlaeese* of this character to tt» Baaed of Baatth. A law of this kind would enaMe tbe board to act promptly and ef­ ficiently in shanking the spread of contagioua In addition to its other duties, this board haa given considerable of ita time and attention to. tho work of elevating the standard of the medical proiaaafon in the State, and aa a reault tbo intareata of tho affiioted have been oonaerved by driving from aotive practice many who wen not qualified to belong to this highly useful and honorable profeeaioa. The able report* made by the board from time to time contain valuable facts and statistics, and to these I respectfully refer yon for more exact and oomplete information touching this very interesting and important eabfeet. ^ The odiUngent fund appropriated by the last General Aaaembly baa remained untouched, which proves that the board haa conducted ita affairs with prudenoe and economy. The uaual appropriation la aaked for at the handa of tho present General Aaaembly, and I do not see how It can bo lavuoed without Impairing the ef­ ficiency of the board. WORLD'8 COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, I invite yonr attention to the legislation which may be neceaaary to provide that Illinoia may he represented la an appropriate exhibit at the great World'* Columbian Exposition which will be held In the city of Chicago in 1893. Though the next anoooedlng aeaaiou of the General Aaaembly would in regular Oaaatita- tional cotirae bo aitting aome time before tho opening of tho fair. It Would not be wise to leave any portion of the work required to that body. All needed preparationa ma at be made long before it, would be practicable to secure •sgisiation from the General Assembly which will meet in January, 1803. I think it would bo Wise, perhaps, to raise a committee in each •ouse charged with the work of framing and re­ porting such legislation aa may be deemed neceseary touoning thla subject. Illinoia' exhibit at this axpoaition should bo a minlatun of the State itaelf. It should show hatwe have done, what we now are, and what we have resources vet to accomplish in all de­ partments ot laudable human activity. Through the medium of i$uch an exhibit we ah all become known to all tte world, and better known to our­ selves, and the infinen'oe can but prove aalutary and lasting upon our industries, our commerce, and the Intellectual and moral development of our people. 1 have noted with mingled pride and satisfac­ tion tho measures which nave been wisely adopted to bring into the joint management of this Exposition a large and representative body of Amerloan women, who are expected to give oapeclal attention to whatever ap­ pertains to the part and work of their own sex in the actlvftlea and civilization of tho world. There ia In thla a peculiar propriety. If America onjoya on® distinction more creditable to her thiui any of the other numer­ ous point a of her departure from old world ideas that distinction U found lu the universal respect hen paid to the character of woman and the liberal ahare here accorded her in soap­ ing the thought, the morals, and the institu- tiona of our npubllo. It ia only necessary to add that every auoh broadening of woman's ac­ tivity haa been thrtqp juatifled by reauRs. To the needa of the woman's department of the Exposition, whioh ia in wiae hands, I invito your attention not leaa .earneatly than to the rest; and, without advooating specific meas­ ures or particular appropriations for any pur­ pose, the available iaots not being auffioient to enable me to do eo Intelligently at this time, I advise you to hear fully auon committeea as may bo intrusted by the different boards of management to present before you matters of detail out of which you will be able to evolve suitable legislation to secure the gnat object in view. I venture, however, specifically to suggest that no more competent and appropriate agenoy could be found to lie intrusted with the work of the exhibit of our State than the Board of Agriculture, this body is non­ partisan, and is highly representative, being composed of one member from each Con* gnsslonal district of the State, chosen by the agricultural boards of such districts. The work of preparing for this exhibit will be in line with the work this board has hwl to do in managing our State Fairs and ehowe of stock, in which work the members have dis­ played marked ability and gained a valuable* experience. The members of the Board enjoy the largest measure of public confidence, and the successful management of previous impor­ tant enterprises amply insures that, tho inter- eata of onr State cannot suffer in their hands, and that any funds placed at their disposal will be wisely aud economically expended. KEFOBM OF THE BALLOT. There seems to lie a well-grounded belief pre­ vailing among the people that votes are bought and sold at the polls, and that other frauds are committed, against the ballot whereby the will of the majority 1b sometimes defeated." It is be* lieved also that these crimes are frequently con­ nived at by those claiming a large share of the public confidence--not; infnqutn Iv by the ben­ eficiaries of the wrongs committed. The conse­ quences of ordinary crimes are necessarily con­ fined to a few victims, while he who by what­ ever means commits ft fraud upon tlie ballot corrupts and poisons political power iu its very- sources and strikes a blow at tho, foundation of our frea institutions. Severe penalties should be denounced agaiust all such and they should be brought to speedy punishment. With the unusual good feeliug now existing throughout the State, patriotic men of all par- lien will, I trust, unite iu the passage of noma law that will plaoe a check upon fraud and insure fair elections. I have heretofore called attention to the fact that it is mode by statute unlawful in this Stata for an elec­ tor to sell his vote, and that the statute pronounces no penalty against the more guilty and dangerous p'arty who plies trade of corrupting voters with money. These latter are really more dangerous to societv than the man who sells his single vote. The buyer of votes operates in a larger field ; he is the mora active agent in crime mml usually represents accomplices of wealth and influence. Justice and policy alike require that this law be changed, and, if it beoonjes necessary in order to secure conviotlona, that either should escape, let it be the more Ignorant and leas re­ sponsible offender who sella hla vote. I aumeat that the law be amended ao as to make J>oth parties equally puniahable, giving to tbe prose- cuts;-, necessary to secure convictions, a discretionary power to aay which offender ahall be prooeeded against, ana making tbe one not prosecuted a competent witneaa. puThere waa introduced into tbe Thirty-sixth General Assembly a bill embodying the essen­ tial features of what la known aB the Aus­ tralian ay stem of voting. But the General Asaembly hesitated ana finally refused to pass the measure, because the law was a new one, I am pofauaded. and had not been sufficiently tested In this country. Since that time a number of States have passed laws slightly differing in moat Inatances from each other, but all embodying the main features con­ tained in the bill introduced into the Thirty-sixth General Aasembly. These laws, it is reported, have worked well in the States adopting them, and I, therefore, recommend the passage of a similar law by the present General Asaembly, Great care, however, should be taken to make the aystem of voting as plain and simple aa posalhfc, In order that the unedu­ cated and more Ignorant will find no difficulty in understanding it. It is believ-xi that these measures, if adopted, will tend to gnotly purify the ballot and secure fair elections. CONCLUSION. Having measurably oomplied with th» re­ quirements of the Constitution, in conclusion I express the belief that your deliberations will be guided by wisdom, moderation and patriot- lam, and that the benefits to result from your wise councils will raise our beloved oom»«ii wealth to & far higher standard of industry, and moral exoellenoe. Upon your labors I invoke the considerate judgment of your fellow citiaens and the gnaoM favor n Almighty God. JOSEPH W. fmi ILLINOIS tAVRifAKm preparing State Boar Why Ho Said "By Thunder!" I am tolerably cool myself, but I lost, my temper once, and that was in an American car. I was going from Peters­ burg, in Virginia, to Washington, and had comfortably installed myself In the smoking compartment at the back of the parlor ear. Presently in came the con­ ductor of the train. He opened the win­ dow and calmly seated himself to read the newspaper. The conductor of the parlor car might perhaps have had a right to use this smoking room, though even that I doubt This man was an in­ truder, and, as I afterward learned, had no right to be there. The draught from the window annoyed me, so I got up and closed it. The fellow rose, gave me a mute, impudent scowl, and opened it again. I then said to him, "I dop't know whether you are on board this train to look after the safety and comfort of the passengers, or purely to study your own, but I will not have the window open," and so saying I closed it. Still mute, he once more rose and moved toward the window. By. this time my blood was up, and gripping him by the shoulder I said! "By thunder, if you open that window again I am going to pitch you out of it!" There must have been something per­ suasive in my tone or glance, for, still without a word, he made an exit com­ pared to which a whipped hound's would be majestic.--Mat O'Rell. To OR. JOHNSON belongs "A good hater," and to Macintosh, in 1701, the phrase, often attributed to John Ran­ dolph, "Wise and masterly inactivity." Thb Thirty-seventh General 0|M*ed at Springfield in due forth at high boob on the 7th. Lieutenant Governor Kay, im tfce Senate Cltamber, and Seeretaty of State Pearson, in tbe B*pr*"w>nlatlve hall. Initialed the proceedings tn accordance Witlt tftw constitutional provision. The at­ tendant* of members was large, and the galleries- and lobbies were crowded. The session, warn opened with prayer by the Rev, Francis Pptteger, after which the roll was called. Tk«r Members arose and an»w*red as their nanvesn were called, and it was shown that every one of the 153 members of the House was present. Upon a motion that the House proceed to tbe election of a temporary Speaker, Mr. Brooks of Chicago.nominated Q. J. Chott, Republican; Mr. Craig of Coles County, placed Rufus N. Ramsey, Democrat, in nomination, and I>r. H, H. Moore pre­ sented the name of Representative Cock- rell on behalf of the F. M. B. A. members. The result of the roll-call was, Ramsey 77, Chott 73r Cockrsll 3. It was moved that the Democratic caucus nominees, except that of 8peaker, be made temporary officers of the House. This motion prevailed, as did a like one from the Republican side. The House then proceeded to the election of a permanent Speaker. Representative Reed presented the name of Clayton E. Crafts; D. P. Keller, of Macon, presented the name David Hunter, and Representative Cockrell nominated Dr. H. H. Moore. A roll-call was at once ordered on the election of permanent "peaker and the vote resulted as foUotfs: 17 73 8 ITEMS GATHERED FROM Vi OU8 SOURCES. C. E. Cnifta David Hunter. Dr. H. H. Moon Total...,,..... ..is Mr. Crafts was at. once' 'Conducted to the Speaker's chair, anrt amid this applause that followed proceeded to thank his friends for the honor, and in a brief but compre­ hensive speech outlined the work before the body. The Senate on the same date was called to order by President Ray. A com­ mittee of three awaited upon the Justices of tbe Supreme Court Informing them that the Senators-elect were ready to take the oath of office, and shortly afterward Chief Justice Schofleld administered the oath to the twenty-six new members. ^Senators McDonald and Mathews were placed in nomination for Speaker pro tem., resulting in the election of the latter. ON the 8tb, but little business was done la the House. Notice o£ contest was Sled in the cases of Wallace vs. May, of Chicago; Butaow vs. Hamilton,of Kankakee; Fletcher vs. Dawk ins; Sllvas vs. Collins, of Rock Island; Cornwell vs. Giber; Adcock vs. Chandler;Adcock vs. Graham;Cleveland vs. McCroite; and Coe vs. Merritt. Mr. Jones' resolution directing the House and Senate to take the first separate ballot on United States Senator on Monday, Jan. 20, and tho first, joint ballot on the succeeding day, was passed. In the Senate, the President an­ nounced that contests had been filed with the Secretary of State by Harris against Noonan, Savage against Arnold, Adock and others against Anderson, and Moore against Caldwell. No action was taken on this communication. The Gov­ ernor notified the Senate that he had ap­ pointed James -A. Rose, of Pope, Chester Penitentiary Commissioner in place of Isaac Clements, resigned; also Homer Green, of McLean, to the State Board of Pharmacy to succeed Charles W. "Day, of Sangamon, resigned; referred to executive session. Mr. Evans offered a resolution, which was adopted, providing for an elec­ tions committee, to be composed ot Messrs. Matthews (Chairman), Crawford of Cook, Bass, Bacon, MacMlllan, lverrick, Lehman, Chapman, Humphreys, Republicans; and Shumway, Copplnger, Mahoney, O'Connor, Farmer and Karraker, Democrats. The Senate then adjourned to ten o'clock la the morning. Bogus Alaska Carlos. "The spread of American enterprise and Yankee ingenuity is nowhere seen to bettor advantage than among the guileless natives of Alaska," said Captain Anderson, of the Bertha. The Captain thereupon proceeded to throw new light upon the results of the fad of relio hunting pursued by Alas­ kan excursionists. "The captains of the excursion eteam- ers are pestered bj the passengers for information as to the best place to procure relics," said he. "The arrival of excursionists creates as much of a stir among the natives as steamer day did in San Francisco in the sixties. They are the legitimate prey of the children of Alaska. Years ago it was possible to get real relics at a moder­ ate price, but now it is hard to tell the difference been real and false relios. "Some time ago, some ingenious na­ tives used to take half dollars, ham­ mer them out very thin, and manufac­ ture them into bracelets. These cu­ rios were sold for $1.50 or $2 at the most. When steamer loads of tourists commenced going to Alaska in the summer they bought up the bracelets as fast as they were made. The na­ tive Alaskan is a very speedy individ­ ual., He saw fortunes in store for him. The bracelets could not be made fast enough to supply the demand, and he formed a sort of syndicate with his brothers. This syndicate sent to Sail Francisco and had hundred* of these bracelets manufactured here and re- shipped to Alaska. There they were and are still retailed to the guileless excursionists at eight or nine dollars a pair. The same may be said of native idols, straw hats, bottle covers, and arrows. More than half of them are made in this and other coast cities and then sent to Alaska for sale. The na­ tives know when they are talking to an expert, and they do not try to palm off spurious articles on them. But the green excursionist is their ready vic­ tim. They will sell him a straw hat made of spruce roots for $5 cr $6 which they ordinarily sell for fifty cents. Im­ ported war suits decked with feathers and beads are disposed of at from $25 to $75 each. "If the studious collectors of Alaskan curios only knew the history of half their materials they would beoome very sad. The native Alaskan is a victim of eivilization. He has learned from his white brother how to lie, and he knows how to seize an opportunity."-- San Francisco Chronicle. California'a Balaln Crop. During the last year thousands of acres havie been planted to raisin vines in all sections of the State af Califor­ nia, where soil, climate and tempera­ ture are conducive to the successful culture of the fruit. In Fresno county alone 50,000 acres are devoted to raisin grapes, all of which will be in full bearing in about four years. 4-s a rule the croR from an acre is valued at $200, so that in 1895 the product from one county will be worth $10,000,000. This is a conservative estimate, as in­ stances are known where under favor­ able circumstances and by careful cul­ tivation one acre of Muscat vines has yielded as much as $450. The reputation of California raisins is rapidly becom­ ing established all over the world, a9is testified to by the fact that the ship­ ments to Australia and Canada are in­ creasing from year to year, and that a market has been found far the goods even in London. On tho Beach. Miss Beaconhill of Boston--Do you tike Browning, Mr*. Potts ? Jack Potts of Omaha (somewhat vaguely)--Well--er--yes, .but I don't like to "see any one too brown, though. Yonr complexion is about my idea. Shall we stroll? They strolled.--Wteibofxirugh flpft* une. •That Oanr Heighbora Aim B«tn*HNii§tf*. of CI----I and Local Intvreat-^litew riagwa Paaflu-A«aMaat> <ut«CUbalM«^ •--Personal Potat«ra- Fibk at Mt Sterling destroyed th«M buildings worth $?,5C0; no insurance. Thb Btate Board of Pharmacists fiad a balance on hand of ¥379.09, after t»> ceipts of •G.ssa.??. Salariea teak fiy 689.93. AT Cairo, tbe New York Dry Goods Store was burned; loss f 106,000. CHAKLES (TEISLKR, Charles Genein- weiser, Martin Baab. and Christopher Immer, teamsters, tried to cross in front of an Illinois Central train in Chicago^ and were all fatally hurt. J AS. MEAGHER, of Enfclewood, wa« knocked off a street car platform by a Rock Island engine and bMHy hurt ROBT. BRUCE, a Chicago lodging-hones keeper, was murderously assaulted by three ruffians who escaped. ABOUT fifty Italians Joined" in a free fight over one girl, in Mrs. Salvini'a saloon in Chicago. One was killed^ twenty wounded. * < : v OFFICERS Jras ASD SLAYTOX had * hard light capturing Mrs. Weier and lit* ale Zimmerman, two Chicago shopliftem i AN overheated stove caused the bum- ing of Wm. Misener'8 shoe store in cago; loss, $7,500. ^ ( In Washington County they are enjoy* ing fresh lettnee and strawberries, grot*? out of doors without artificial heat PROF. CAMBREI.l, balloonist and air­ ship man, is in Chicago, and says that Hogan, of Jackson, Mich., who was sup* posed to have lost his life two years ago while operating Campbell's air-ship, is •live, tod that his family know where te is. CLARENCE ARMOXT, a Chicago and Western Indiana Company baggageman, at tho Polk street depot, Chicago, was arrested charged with robbing trunk*. Over $1,000 worth of jewelry was found! fn his room. GEO. W. FREXCH, a Chicago book­ keeper, fell down an elevator shaft and died four hour afterward. THOMAS CREAMER, the 18-year-old bey who is beating his way from Boston to Sa& Francisco and return without a cent* in order to secure $5,000 offered by a Boston dime museum proprietor, patted through Chicago on his return to Boston, on schedule time. JOHN EOGLEK, of Olney, dealer fa." boots, shoes, and notions, failed. Lia­ bilities, about $8,000; assets, $2,000. A BIG Newfoundland dog owned by • Frank Kotz, of Chicago, jumped front ft counter through a transom, ran Up­ stairs, and awakened his master aad family Just in time for them to escape from flames which had started, and then died from cuts received from broken glass. DUQTTOIN will soon have a system of waterworks, as soft, pure water was found in abundance by the prospectors. HARRY DAUM,. of Chicago, attacked by hemorrhage of the lungs, and being unable to get salt to use as a renedy quickly enough, died within half an hoar. OSCAR J. FRIEDMAN, traveling sales­ man, was in a Wabyh Western wrack in Missouri, and severely injnreil. A: Chicago court awarded him $30,000dam­ ages--one of the largest verdicts on rec­ ord. MRS. LOTJISK KBEPPS, of Chicago, di­ vorced in New York yeara ago, has kej up payments on a life-lnsui in*her favor. She recently] divorced husband in the, asylum so crazy he couM name. Identification was by birthmarks, and when Mrs. Kreppswili receive the nBraranc% money. ^ LIZZIE PBETKLAFT, a youn*%fl!t 9toh Chicago, committed suicide at Racine*, Wis., because her grandmother woald* net allow her to go the skating rink. • A CALL has been issued for a meeting of the Illinois Mexican War Veterans* Association in Springfield. GOT. FIFER has issued a requisition Oft the Governor of Tennessee for Frank' Harvey, who is wanted in Chicago ftp* assault with Intent to commit murtte& and who is in custody at Memphis. MANAGER BURGEON,' at Decatur, ap- , pointed John H. Sessions to succeed An­ drew Stevens as General Freight and Passenger Agent for the Terre Hauta. and Peoria Railway Company. CHARLES GLIDDKK, JR., of Lincoln* Is suffering from poison, superinduced by running the point of a lead-pencil into his hand. ' H. M. SENSE:*! Last laktm eoat$M& for furnishing the Joliet Penitentiary with 1,000 tons of nut coal at H.1S per ton and 5,000 tons of lnmp coal at $1.60 per ton. So FAB this winter George Carlin o( McLean has trapped twenty-five skunks, seventeen muskrats, and fifteen cooaa. He shipped their skins to New York City. ONE of th(3 barns on B. M. Patrick's farm at Marengo was burned. About 1Q& milch cows were burned, together with a great deal of hay, grain, and machinefjfe Loss, $10,000; insured for $*»¥»• * WHILE celebrating the New Year at Peoria, William Luckey fired a revolver in the face of a bootblack. Tho toll en­ tered the nose and passed up into tne brain, producing a fatal wound. THE merchant tailoring establishment of Burton & Ahearn, Aurora, was cioeed by the Sheriff. The liabilities wtil aofc exceed $1,000, while the assets are mndi leu. A HITMAN hand was found on LeflfcHa street, Chicago, Just as throng* of people were on their way to the theater*, ft was a man's hand. It was white and shrunken and lay on the stone sidewalk where everybody could see it. Netting can bo learned as to where it can# frou, and if anyone in the State discovers one of his hands missing now is a good ttae to speak out. DURING the rear Jost ended the inter- nai revenue receipts iu the PeoMa dis­ trict amounted to $22,483,854. There were 24,780,558 tax-paid gallons of spirits and 6,241 barrels were shipped for ex­ port. The revenue receipts for tte month of December were 123,51$. The bank clearings were $38,363. During the year there were expended for build- , ing improvements $5,000,000. A vicious boar ruined three valuable horses for Robert Kimler of Arrowsanith by tearing the flesh from their legs in such a manner as to render them useleaa. i THE teachers of Franklin Couuty held a midwinter institute at Benton. _ MRS. PETER SMITH, whose husband IS a Chicago millionaire, iias been sued f®* slander by Mrs. Elizabeth MeH|al*oai who lays her damages at iH'.OOft, This is the outcome of an extended Htlgatlea crowing out of the appointment Smith as guardian of Mrs. MeMahoa^s young son at the instigation of her hus­ band s (Edward Mo>iahua*t) parent* who are also wealthy. OLLIE HESTEJR, a well-knawa yosaf man of Danville, while sleep walking stepped out of a setond-slefy1 His head was so badly crushed brains oozed out. The property of the Lincoln ' Line was sold by the Sheriff for: to John St Corny and Joseph .NV' 'X- V,-*-*- ' >' *'•. *-> pi#?- • v £ 4 '*r t. . •$*. f \ .V ' ..&JI m