Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 23 of 56)

About the middle of June, 1863, ten or a dozen of the engineers running out of Galesburg, imbued with the idea that "in union there is strength" and inspired by the institution of the first railroad brotherhood in America only a month previous at Detroit, met in a little back room over where is now Burt's drug store and formed a local organization known as the "Brotherhood of the Footboard." And Stephen A. Randall of 556 South Broad street is the only surviving charter member of that little band of devoted men who, in this county, first awoke to the realization of the need of workingmen banding themselves together for protection and advancement. ' -.i

Knowing full well that capital was unalterably opposed to combinations of labor, the utmost secrecy was maintained as to membership in the new society, for knowledge of its existence had spread to the company to whom it was a "thorn in the flesh." The railroad officials determined to nip the new union .in its infancy and used every tactic to find out just who were members. Every engineer found to belong, or thought to belong, was summarily discharged. Mr. Randall was one of the men instrumental in forming the organization and one also who was soon let out of the company's employment. Those who were discharged left the city and sought work elsewhere, only to learn that they were blacklisted, and securing a run on other roads was a difficult proposition. Mr. Randall returned to Galesburg, however, and was one of the men who, in January, 1865, transformed the "Brotherhood of the Footboard" into Galesburg Division No. 62, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Notwithstanding the opposition of the company, the men were determined that they should not be deprived of their rights to organize, and soon the organization grew so strong that the company began to realize the futility of further antagonism and ceased its hostility. Many of the discharged engineers were reinstated to their former runs, among whom was Mr. Randall, who remained in the engine service of the Burlington, the Wabash and one or two other roads, until, as he puts it, "the trains were made so long that the engineer could not hear the shouts of the conductor from the way-car," when he retired from the service and has since devoted himself to caring for a small farm he succeeded in acquiring, though he still maintains his membership in the brotherhood, and was last year given an honorary membership by the grand lodge, a thing held by few members of the order. .

, : Mr. Randall is authority for the statement that Galesburg's Brotherhood of the Footboard was the fourth railroad brotherhood to be formed in America, and though given No. 62, many lodges have lower numbers which were since formed, such as Los Angeles No. 5, Indianapolis No. ii, Springfield No. 23, Aurora No. 32, etc. With a twinkle in his eye, he relates that Galesburg, though the fourth to form, was given No. 62 to make the railroads believe there were many locals in existence and that the order was exceedingly strong.

Galesburg now has two lodges of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the second, No. 644, being instituted February 29th, 1904, and is the largest brotherhood in the United States on any one railroad division.

Singular as it may seem, though the engineers had sown the seed of unionism in this county in 1863, no further efforts were made to formulate other organizations for almost twenty years. The records at headquarters in Peoria of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen show that Progress Lodge No. 105, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, was organized at Galesburg March I5th, 1882, with twenty-two charter members. Also that the lodge was removed to Chillicothe, Illinois, in September, 1899 (after the Burlington strike), and finally surrendered its charter on June loth, 1902. However, the firemen soon realized that this was too big a division point to be without an organization, and Lodge No. 477, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, was instituted here May ist, 1904. The name was changed to Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen March ist, 1909. ./ - -

The cigarmakers were the third to take the step towards forming a union, and on March 22, 1883. a charter, signed by Adolph Strausser, as international president, was granted to Cigarmakers' Local Union No. 200 of Galesburg, Illinois. The first officers were: Val Weiss, president; Ed Tomlins, vice-president ; J. A. Williams, recording and corresponding secretary ; C. Geist, financial secretary, and D. Sherlock, doorkeeper. None of its charter members now reside here, and little is known of the early formation of this, the first trades organization to begin its existence in this vicinity. '-:.'.;-

Galesburg Division No. 83, Order of Railway Conductors, was next in line and was formed July 23rd, 1883. The following years, in September, Galesburg Lodge No. 24, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, first saw the light of day. Both of these railroad organizations met with some opposition on the part of the company at first, but later were well received, and to-day are flourishing brotherhoods.

Seven years later tliere developed a spirit of organization among the tradesmen of the city, and Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners No. 360 was organized December 22, 1890, with Oscar Renier, first chairman ; Cal Gray, secretary, and J. R. Rogers, treasurer. The initial meeting was held in a small hall on the south side of the public square. Typographical Union No, 288 soon followed with a meeting in the old Brotherhood Steam Print office on South Cherry street, where the Plaindealer now operates, and was granted a charter February 22nd, 1891. A number of tailors met in what was then Fletcher's tailor shop on the second floor over where is now the People's Trust and Savings bank, and organized Journeymen Tailors' Union No. 169 on March 2ist, 1891. During the winter some of the wives and daughters of the railroad trainmen began the agitation for a women's auxiliary to the trainmen, which resulted in the formation on January ipth, 1891, of Sincerity Lx)dge No. 6, L. A. to B. of R. T.

As summer approached these new trades organizations began to discuss the advisability of celebrating Labor Day - the first Monday in September being designated as a legal holiday in many of the states of the nation by this time. The carpenters and the tailors favored the holding of a celebration, while the other unions and brotherhoods did not. Celebrating Labor Day at this early date was rather a difficult undertaking. Trades organizations were comparatively a new thing and lacked numbers. Many of the citizens also looked upon them as sort of anarchistic bodies designed to destroy rather than to build up industry. Few cared to encourage them, and the securing of speakers for such an occasion was no easy task. However, the carpenters and tailors determined to pull off a celebration and gained the consent of Eugene W. Welch and Congressman George W. Prince to deliver addresses.

On September the 7th, 1891, then, the first Labor Day celebration was held in Knox county. At prcx) o'clock in the morning the Galesburg Marine band, dressed for the first time in their new uniforms, began playing in front of the square facing Main street. By io:oo o'clock the parade was formed on Main street, headed by Lewis Thompson, of the carpenters, as chief marshal, with John Forsythe of the tailors and Chris Geisler of the carpenters as assistant marshals. The standard bearer for the tailors was C. G. Lind, while Ed. Bushong bore the banner for the carpenters. In line were 40 tailors and 58 carpenters, besides a few scattering members from the cigarmakers, printers and perhaps one or two other organizations. Following the band came the speakers' carriage - a handsome new barouche, drawn by J. H. Williamson's matched team of greys, with "Hank" himself handling the lines. Seated with the speakers were Chas. Hasselleaf, president of the carpenters, and Albert Johanson, president of the tailors. The profession passed around the square and east on Main street across the "Q" tracks to Pearl street, wHere street cars were waiting and all went out to Highland Park, where the festivities were to be held. An admission to the park of ten cents was charged to help defray expenses.

After a stirring selection by the band, Mr. Hasselleaf, who acted as chairman, introduced Hon. Geo. W. Prince, who delivered a splendid address to the great crowd which had gathered. He was followed by Eugene W. Welch, who, in a short but stirring speech, made a deep impression with the union men on the ground. B. F. Holcomb and F. A. Freer were also called to the stand and made short speeches. A basket dinner followed, which was greatly enjoyed. Then the afternoon was devoted to games and sports of various kinds. Dancing proved a special feature of both afternoon and evening with Gaines' orchestra furnishing the music. - v.

The success of the first Labor Day celebration and the showing made by the carpenters and tailors inspired other tradesmen and resulted in the organization, on December 14, 1891, of Bricklayers and Masons' Union No. 12, and of Painters and Decorators' Union No. 29, on December 28th, of the same year.

In Galesburg, as it had been elsewhere, when a sufficient number of trades were organized, the tendency was to associate all into one central body composed of delegates from each of the unions. In the room known as Spring's hall, 104 Main street, delegates from the various unions of the city met, on July 8, 1892, and formed the Galesburg Trades and Labor assembly. J. Forsythe of the tailors' union called the meeting to order. A. G. Mathieson, George Gallamo and Daniel Nolan were chosen as -a committee on credentials and they reported the following delegates present and entitled to a voice in the proceedings :

1892-93, A. M. Everly, Cigarmakers, President; Geo. Gallarna, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary; D. Nolan, Tailors, Treasurer; W. E. Harry, Bricklayers, Financial Secretary.

1895-96, L. N. Thompson, Carpenters, President; W. E. Qeveland, Broommakers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary; D. Nolan, Tailors, Treasurer; A. Gustafson, Painters, Financial Secretary.

1896-97. J. A. Smith, Printers, W. A. Marshall, Printers, Presidents; E. A. Tate, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary; D. Nolan, Tailors, Treasurer; A. Gustafson, Painters, Financial Secretary.

1897-98, W. A. Marshall, Printers, President; E. A. Tate, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary ; D. Nolan, Tailors, Treasurer ; C. H. Eckhart, Printers, Financial Secretary.

I899-I9CX), J. C. Tate, Carpenters, President; E. A. Tate, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary; Earle Thompson, Printers, Treasurer; A. Gustafson, Painters, Financial Secretary.

1900-01, J. C. Tate, Carpenters, President; E. A. Tate, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary; Geo. Sanderson, Clerks, Treasurer; J. H. Mc- Kamy, Clerks, Financial Secretary.

1901-02, J. C. Tate, Carpenters, President; E. A. Tate, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary ; W. O. Thompson, Cigarmakers, Treasurer ; J. H. McKamy, Gerks, Financial Secretary. -

1905-06, J. C. Sjodin, Painters. President; E. J. Corbin, Painters, Recording and Corresponding Secretary ; E. A. Tate, Printers, Treasurer ; W. H. Mc- Keighan, Printers, Financial Secretary.

; 1906-07, J. C. Sjodin, Painters, W. F. Kinney, Cigarmakers, W. A. Marshall, Printers. Presidents ; C. F. Calson. Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary ; E. A. Tate, Printers, Treasurer ; J. Hultgren, Broommakers, Financial Secretary.

1907-08, W. H. Lohmar, Painters, President; C. F. Calson, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary ; E. A. Tate, Printers, Treasurer ; Geo. Palmer, Printers, Financial Secretary.

1909-10, E. J. Corbin, Painters, President; Geo. Palmer, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary; E. A. Tate, Printers, Treasurer; Henry Isaacson, Clerks, Financial Secretary.

1910-11, E. A. Tate, Printers, President; Geo. Palmer, Printers, Recording and Corresponding Secretary; J. W. Ramp, Clerks, Treasurer; C. S. Bartlett,- Qerks, Financial Secretary.

One of the first actions of the assembly was to pass resolutions at its initial meeting offering sympathy, support and aid to the miners at Homestead, Pennsylvania. At this meeting it was also decided to celebrate Labor Day under the auspices of the trades assembly. At the second meeting, July 20, 1892, a com- mittee consisting of J. Forsythe, C. H. Geisler, A. G. Matheson, W. E. Hairy, C. M. Peterman and A. M. Everly was appointed to make arrangements. The committee met the following Sunday and started plans which resulted in Galesburg's first celebration of Labor Day under the auspices of the Galesburg Trades and Labor assembly the first Monday in September, 1892. A splendid parade was held on the principal streets of the city in the forenoon with two bands and many floats. The afternoon exercises were held at Highland Park, where nearly 6,000 people assembled. Mayor Forrest F. Cooke and Hon. S. H. Bashear were the speakers. Galesburg trades unions have participated in Labor Day celebrations as follows :

1896 - Lake George (Kewanee here). A. Gustafson, Marshal. Speakers: Mayor Tunnicliff and Bishop Fallows. (W. J. Bryan spoke from train at Mulberry street in the evening.) Chairman, J. H. Donnelly.

1897 - Lake George. C. C. Mattocks, Marshal. Speakers: Mayor Cooke, Cong. Prince, Rev. Stead, M. J. Daugherty and C. K. Ladd of Kewanee. Chairman, W. A. Marshall.

1901 - Court House Park. (Kewanee, Canton and Farmington here.) Speakers: Bishop Spalding, W. A. Alton, Peoria, and George Thompson, Chicago. Chairman, J. C. Tate.

1905 - Highland Park. E. A. Tate, Marshal. Speakers: Clarence Darrow, S. G. Cunningham, Mayor Sanborn and Ex-Mayor Shumway. Chairman, J. C. Sjodin. .. ,

The following condensed list of Knox county's labor unions, with dates of organization, will prove of value to some students of labor history :

After organizing on July 8, 1892, the Trades assembly met in Spring's hall, Ib4 Main street, nearly two years, when it removed to a hall at the corner of Prairie and Simmons streets, over Wright's laundry, now Ferris feed store. In 1895 the third floor of the Peter Nelson block, corner Main and Seminary, was rented and the assembly met there until October 21, 1897, when it occupied a hall in the Ferris building at 8 Main street. On December i6, 1898, the assembly rented the third floor of the new Jacobi Bros. & Mack building, where fine quarters were established and occupied until March lo, 1904, when the central body moved to the Buckley building, 12 Main street. Finding more room necessary, a door was cut through the wall separating the Buckley building from the Lescher building and both halls were occupied. On September 22, 1905, the second floor of the Buckley building was also leased and fitted up and some of the unions met there. On October 3, 1898, the assembly bought the lease of the Knights of Pythias in the O'Connor building, at 6i South Cherry street, and removed to that hall, remaining there until May, 1910, when it leased the entire fifth floor of the Bank of Galesburg building, with elevator service at the Kellogg street entrance, and has met there since. Twenty-one unions are now sub-renting of the Trades assembly, while the others meet in various other halls of the city.

In the spring of 1901 the assembly voted to place a business agent in the field to keep in close touch with industrial conditions in the city, report unfair work, act as arbitrator in disputes and secure the best conditions possible for the toilers. Accordingly on April ii H. W. Lohmar was elected to act in that capacity and served for one year. On May 22, 1902, G. A. Tilton was elected and served until June ii, 1903, when he resigned and the office was left vacant for a year. On July 27, 1904, Mr. Tilton was again selected to act as business agent, and did so until November. The assembly dispensed with a business agent then until May 21, 1908, when C. M. Peterman was elected, but resigned on August I. He was succeeded by Ed Wood, who filled the office for six months. On April 8, 1909, E. K. Brasel was made business agent and served until the fall of 1910, since which time the assembly has done without such officer. The business agent devoted his entire time to the interests of the unions and the assembly and was paid a salary raised by a special per capita tax upon all bodies affiliated with the Trades assembly. His was a disagreeable job at best, always sought when trouble arose, frequently sent to inform employers that unfair conditions must cease or trouble would begin. Threatened, abused, despised by the employer, who would take advantage of labor, the business agent, nevertheless, accomplished much good in his daily rounds, straightened out many a knotty situation, secured shorter hours and better pay for the toilers of the city.

Much of the success of organized labor in a community depends upon the facilities for intelligently informing, not only the entire membership of all organizations, but the public at large, upon the objects and aims of labor unions, and presenting a fair statement of the issues in any controversy. To this end Galesburg and the surrounding territory has been exceptionally fortunate in having a newspaper published weekly in the interest of the toilers, which has borne the highest respect of the citizens generally.

The Galesburg Labor News was founded by Jacob Smith in November, 1895, and, although the voyage of seventeen years has been extremely rough at times the little ship has sailed steadily onward bearing its messages of cheer and encouragement, spreading the doctrines of trades unionism, never missing an issue. Two years previous Charles F. Calson had launched "The Unionist," a most creditable advocate of trades unionism, which appeared in May, 1893, but, owing to the financial distresses which invaded the country during that year, was soon forced to suspend publication.

On November 7, 1896, Henry C. Smalley acquired a half interest in the Galesburg Labor News, and the sheet was enlarged and its usefulness extended through the new blood instilled and a greatly increased circulation. January 'i6, 1897, the paper was removed from the "Gazette" office - the scene of its birth - to the "Plaindealer" printing office. On September 4 of that year Mr. Smalley assumed full control of the paper by purchasing the interest of Mr. Smith and for six years labored unceasingly to give his readers a reliable, fair and conscientious publication devoted to the cause of labor. His untimely death on October 29, 1903, brought sorrow to a multitude of admirers both in and out the ranks of trades unionism. He was a member of the city council, being an alderman from the first ward, and was known for his honesty of purpose, his clear understanding of the needs of a growing city and his conscientious efforts to give it his best endeavors. On November i five hundred union men marched with bowed heads to pay tribute to a departed leader. The services were held at the Baptist church conducted by Rev. J. Y. Aitchison. John C. Stevens also spoke.

Upon the death of Mr. Smalley, his brother, S. Warren Smalley, took control of the Labor News and, with J. L. Wilcox as editor, continued to issue the paper until his death, September 4, 1904, the day before Labor Day. Then it was that a stock company was formed and the purchase of the paper made from the heirs. The stock of this company was subscribed entirely by the unions of Galesburg, Canton and Monmouth, and the paper is still owned and published by the unions. No individuals own any of the stock. The first officers of the board of directors were C. T. Salisbury, president; S. O. Means, of Monmouth, vice-president; William A. Marshall, secretary, and C F. Keeling, treasurer. J. L. Wilcox was chosen as editor, but resigned on April I, 1905. E. A. Tate, then of Chicago, was selected as editor and manager of the paper and got out his first issue on April 28, 1905.

The paper was now being issued from the press of the Evening Mail. After six months' publication in this office, Mr. Tate presented the company a plan to purchase an outfit of its own, and on November i, 1905, a plant was installed at 143 South Cherry street, which has since been paid for out of the earnings of the company. Mr. Tate resigned on December i, 1910, to accept the position of deputy county treasurer, and George H. C. Palmer was reelected as editor and manager, which position he has since filled with credit to the company. t ':-'

The labor union of to-day is indeed a complex institution. It is made up of a great variety of minds, each possessing ideas of perhaps widely different character, yet so blended into the one real purpose of uplifting mankind as to make it a most compact organization, exceedingly democratic in its principle of abiding by the will of the majority. It thrives through the axiom that "the welfare of one is the concern of all." No community of any industrial importance could prosper well without it. The idea of freedom of contract by the individual in a community where no unions exist means the competition of the laborers to secure a job resulting in the lowest standard of wages, long hours of toil, the inability of the parents to properly educate the oncoming generation, all of which in turn means very little money to be spent in the regular channels of trade and which determines the prosperity of the community. If the workmen get good pay the business man will enjoy a good trade; if poorly paid, the business interests will suffer and prosperity lurk in the distance. . . -..,..,,

Frequently we see conflict between capital and labor. Neither will agree to the appeals of the other. Each hurls abuse at the other and threatens dire results. Labor boycotts and capital blacklists. Almost invariably it is a misunderstanding of the absolute needs of the one or the other. A conservative conference by both parties would doubtless reveal a means of conciliatory methods beneficial to all.

No organization of capital ever destroyed a combination of labor that did not, or will not, again come forth stronger and more determined than ever. Both are essential to the needs of society as composed to-day, and both are, or ought to be, of vast benefit to society. Carefully compare the intelligence, the morality, the social and financial standing of a community thoroughly unionized with one where no organizations exist and you will readily discern the superiority of the organized community.

The spirit of fraternity existing in all unions is especially helpful to a community. Many a sick or decrepit brother has been kept from want through acts of kindness on the part of fellow-unionists. Families of deceased members have been provided with means to tide them over perils that confronted them. Sanitariums, hospitals and homes have been established to care for the aged and disabled members in their declining years. The railroad brotherhoods have a home for disabled railroad men at Highland Park, Illinois, valued at a quarter of a million dollars, where hundreds of the so-called "broken rails" have been happily cared for. Beneath the shadow of Pike's Peak at Colorado Springs the printers have established a home where consumptive and otherwise disabled printers are enjoying the hospitality of their more fortunate brothers, who take great pride in providing this beautiful home for the wornout typesetters, many of whom are restored to health and returned to their families cured of the dread disease. Six hundred thousand dollars has been spent in the purchase of lands, erection of buildings, tents, annexes and cottages. The pressmen have recently established a home in the beautiful hills of Kentucky. These homes are maintained through setting aside a small fraction of the annual dues paid by each member, little felt by him as he contributes his share to the maintenance of an organization which pays him a hundred per cent dividend in the advanced wage and improved working condition.

Occasionally a trades unionist oversteps the bounds of propriety and commits deeds which reflect discredit upon the organization. These are to be deplored and should not be charged up to the unions, none of which approves any act of violence or lawlessness. The time is fast coming when trades unionism will be better understood and commended rather than condemned.

Internal Improvements Miscellaneous

Water transportation in the early days was considered of much more importance to the people than it is today. Then there seemed to be no question about the advisability of using the streams of the state for that purpose and to assist and further make available the principle of transportation by water, various canals were constructed and it seems that provision by the state was made for such counties as had no canals or railroads to aid in the transportation problem. In illustration of this point, we find the following entry in the county commissioner's record of March 12, 1838.

Ordered: That the auditor of public accounts of the state of Illinois, be and he is hereby authorized and requested to issue his warrant on the treasurer of said state, in favor of H. J. Runkle or his order, for the amount due Knox county in the appropriation to the different counties through which no railroad or canal is provided to be made at the expense of the state of Illinois, as provided by the eighteenth section of "an act to establish and maintain a general system of internal improvements," approved February 27, 1837, and that the clerks issue a certified copy of the order to the said H. J. Runkle.

This order was made to obtain what was coming to Knox county by virtue of that crazy policy of internal improvements which was inaugurated in the state of Illinois by the act referred to in the order and which practically annihilated public and private credit in the state of Illinois and of the whole country and gave us the most terrific financial crash that the country has ever seen. It is stated on good authority that a former citizen of the city of Galesburg was a prominent broker in the city of New York at that time and that he lost every cent he had and that he never after recovered from his downfall.

Another call for internal improvement funds was made by the county of Knox at the June term of court and at the December term, 1838, a payment was actually made to the county on account of said funds.

To H. J. Runkle, agent for Knox county to draw the appropriations by an act of the legislature entitled "an act to establish and maintain a general system of internal improvements" approved February 27, 1838, who was appointed at the June term of this court, rendered his account as follows :

Ordered: That the clerk issue an order on the treasurer in favor of H. J. Runkle for sixteen dollars and fifteen cents for account as above stated.

One hundred and ninety-nine dollars received, Knoxville, April i8, 1839, of H. J. Runkle as agent of the county of Knox, to draw the appropriation of the state of Illinois, to such counties through which no railroad or canal passes through the sum of one hundred and ninety-nine dollars.

There is another order of the court made at the March term, 1838, which will be interesting reading and which is given below. It seems it was supposed that there was valuable salt mines in Vermilion county, and the state claimed the ownership of the same and ordered the sale of these lands, the proceeds to be divided among certain counties named in the act providing for the sale. Knox county was allowed $ioo of the proceeds as shown by the following order :

Ordered: That the auditor of public accounts of the state of Illinois, be and he is hereby authorized and requested to issue his warrant on the treasury of said state in favor of H. J. Runkle or his order for one hundred dollars, being the amount appropriated to the county of Knox, out of the avails of the sales of the Vermilion Saline lands by "an act making appropriations to counties therein named." Approved March 4, 1837, and that the clerk issue a certified copy of this order to the said H. J. Runkle.

The board of supervisors of Knox county has expressed itself on a variety of subjects and apparently in a variety of ways. Sometimes the action of the board has been very commendable and sometimes the action taken would not be taken again after more experience and further deliberation. The following resolution offered by W. S. Gale, at the January meeting, i^, forms very good reading today and might with propriety be offered today by any board or even any political gathering:

Resolved, That as the war for the preservation of our county and the free institutions bequeathed to us by our fathers, has left our county burdened with a debt, vast in proportions, and testing to their extent the endurance of the American people.

The honor of the nation requires that all this debt, and the obligations incurred in this great struggle shall be fully met and paid to the last dollar.

That the credit and commercial prosperity of the county are promoted by such legislation as will insure at an early day the resumption of specie payment by the government, and the return to coin as a measure of value in commercial transactions.

That the people of Knox county are ready and willing to accept their responsibilities, and bear their full proportion of the public burdens.

That asking no other relief, and no other favors, they have a right in common with their fellow citizens, to expect from the national and state legislatures, such legislation as will properly adjust and apportion these burdens as will develop to the uttermost the industry of the country and protect the people from plundering, monopolists and office holders.

That we approve of a tariff on foreign importations sufficiently high to protect the infant manufacturing enterprises of the country, and secure the development of our vast mineral resources.

That we believe it the duty of the government to secure the opening of every natural channel from the grain growing districts to the seaboard which is worth the necessary outlay, and to secure within a short period a railroad communication across the continent, and with the rich mines of the interior.

That we believe the control of the great highways of the country has been too long intrusted to the exclusive management of men, who have no responsibilities to the public, and who are expected to seek only the promo- tion of private interests without any regard to the wants, necessities and interests of the public except so far as attention thereto may promote such private interests.

That while we do not propose to indicate what legislation is called for in the case, we are satisfied there is something which requires correction, when a railroad from the city of Galesburg to the city of Chicago can, in one year, without running to its full capacity, earn a sum of money equal to its entire cash cost, when the road through this county to Peoria can collect rates of freight which will afford a fine compensation for wagons drawn by horses.

That there is something requiring correction when we are entirely deprived of the important markets of St. Louis and Cain, except in time of navigation, notwithstanding we have from this county railroad communication with both, from the fact that the connecting railroads are the property of different companies and permit the passage of no freight, except with the loss and delay of repeated changes of cars, and rates of freight double those charged for similar distances on single lines of road.

That the construction of new competing lines of railway is not the true remedy for these evils, requiring as it does an impossible outlay of capital and utterly inefficacious in securing that connection of lines, and transfer of freight, without suitable provision for which we can never realize the full benefits of railroad transportation.

That in our opinion prompt and wise legislation to effect the opening of new channels of trade, the improvement and proper control of the old, protecting all the vested rights of corporation, and the inalienable rights of the people, is essential to the prosperity of the country and absolutely required to enable the people to support those burdens, which must be borne if the national honor is to be sustained.

April, 1866. - Mr. Vaughn offered the following resolution, which was adopted : Resolved, That "an act to provide for a board of health in each township in those counties adopting township organization" approved February i6, A. D. 1865, be and the same is hereby accepted by this board.

January, 1867. - Mr. Vaughn offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That in the opinion of the board of supervisors of Knox county the legislature of this state should make a liberal appropriation and permanently establish the institution now in operation in this state for the schooling and intellectual elevation of idiots. And our senator and representative are hereby respectfully requested to use their best efforts to accomplish this purpose. And that the clerk of this board is hereby instructed to forward a copy of this resolution to the parties above named.

January, 1869. - Mr. Lanphere offered the following resolution, which was adopted : Resolved, That the enactment of the registry law of this state, ap- proved February 15, 1865, has been attended with a heavy expense to the county without any aggregate returns. That in our opinion it has failed to prevent illegal voting, the ostensible object of its enactment, and we therefore request our member of the legislature to use all honorable means to procure its repeal.

January, 1876. - Mr. Sumner offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted: Whereas, This is the centennial of our national birth, and it appearing to us eminently fitting and proper that the people should in some suitable manner give expression to their gratitude and appreciation of the blessings of civil liberty secured to us in the birth and continued growth and prosperity of our free institutions, therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend to the citizens of the military tract to come together at Galesburg on the 4th day of July next and in an appropriate manner commemorate the centennial of our national existence.

April, 1876. - Robert L. Hannaman, Esq., appeared before the board in behalf of the committee on centennial celebration of the Fourth of July and in a brief speech represented the action taken in favor of such general celebration of the Fourth to be held in the county at Galesburg, and concluded by asking on behalf of the committee that the board appropriate from the county fund the sum of $2,500 or $3,000, to be expended in such centennial celebration.

In the matter of the request for an appropriation out of the county treasury to pay the expenses of a centennial Fourth of July celebration, your committee would beg leave to refer the same back to the board for its action.

The board always objected to the newspapers' charges for the publication of its proceedings, which were considered too high. For a number of years the proceedings were published in one paper and also in pamphlet form. This matter is pretty well explained in the following action:

September, 1876. - Mr. Temple oifered the following resolution : Resolved, That the printing and distribution of the proceedings of the board of supervisors in pamphlet form be discontinued.

Mr. Gaines moved to amend, or substitute, that the publication of the proceedings of the board in the county papers be discontinued; and that in lieu thereof two thousand copies of the proceedings be published in pamphlet form.

Mr. Felt moved to lay the whole matter on the table. Adopted. Those voting in the affirmative were : Messrs. Campbell, Bates, Felt, Gale, Dieterich, Chambers, Sisson, Deatherage, McFarland, Barnett, Eiker, Woodmansee, Swigart, Stuckey, Sloan, West and Soles, 17. Those voting in the negative were: Messrs. Curtis, England, Temple, Tucker and Gaines, 5.

Mr. Felt offered the following resolution, which was adopted : Resolved, That this board will not pay any paper for publishing the proceedings of this board, unless such paper shall publish a full report, as furnished by the clerk.

April, 1877. - Mr. Tucker presented the following resolutions, which were adopted : Resolved, That whereas the concentration of all the railroads in this and the adjoining counties, in a single management, seriously threatens the prosperity of the community and creates an apparent absolute necessity for concert of action for the protection of individual interests ; that there being no other organization to whom it more properly belongs, we deem it right and appropriate for the county board, as the representatives of the people, to adopt such measures as are within its power to secure to citizens such measure of protection as the law can be made to afford, therefore,

Resolved, That the committee on revenue and equalization be directed to inquire into and ascertain what rates of freight are charged by the railroad companies on property shipped to and from points in this county ; how such rates compare with charges made on other roads for like service; whether such rates are exorbitant and unreasonable and contrary to law ; whether and to what extent points in this county are discriminated against; what legal steps can be taken, if any are thought necessary, to procure from the companies modifications of their charges; what legal redress the citizens of the county may have and what steps may properly be taken by the county board to protect its citizens.

Resolved further, that the county boards of the counties of Warren, Henderson, Mercer, Henry and Stark be invited to take similar action and to correspond with the chairman of the committee on revenue and equalization with reference to calling a convention of representatives of the several boards to provide for united action.

Resolved, That the committee be directed to hold such sessions between this and the next meeting of this board as they may deem best and that they be authorized to incur such reasonable expenses as may be required to carry into effect this resolution.

Whereas, From the most remote ages, and among all nations, gold and silver, either exclusively, or in common with other metals, have, by common consent and universal custom, as well as by the enactments of the law-making power, been established, recognized and used, as the representatives of value, and the mediums of exchange of property, in other words, as money ; and

Whereas, The value of all property has been measured, and the rights of the creditor, and the liabilities of the debtor class, in every community, have

Whereas, During the years 1873-74, in an obscure, indirect, oblique - if not in a clandestine, surreptitious manner - silver was in these United States deprived of its main nioney power; thus, in its immediate and remote consequences (if persisted in), causing a greater disturbance in values, and a greater convulsion and revolution in every civil and social relation, than any event that has transpired in the history of the country, whereby the purchasing power of the money remaining, that is, gold, is greatly increased, but only by the great depreciation in the selling power of property; whereby the value of all securities and the profits of all creditors are greatly increased, but only by a great increase in the burdens and liabilities of all debtors ; whereby the rich are to be made richer, and the poor poorer; and

Whereas, Acts of legislation are pending in the congress of the United States having in the purpose the repeal of this unjust, unequal, and injurious legislation, and the restoration to silver of its original full money power : Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, by this board of supervisors, representing in this expression the almost unanimous voice of the people of Knox county, that we denounce as unjust, unequal, partial and injurious, the legislation that was resorted to for the demonetization of silver, and demand its repeal.

Resolved further. That the senators and members of the house of representatives, from this state, have our hearty approval and support in their efforts to secure such repeal.

Resolved further. That we respectfully but earnestly present these views to the president of the United States, with the hope that he will unite with the ether departments of the government in restoring silver, as money, to the circulation of the country.

Resolved further. That these resolutions be spread upon the records, and a copy thereof be furnished to the member of congress from this district, to the senators from this state, and to the president of the United States.

Industrial School For Girls '

January, i88i, 1883. - Mr. Gale (W. S.) offered the following resolution, which was made the order of business for 2:30 o'clock this afternoon:

Resolved, That this board request the state senator and representatives from this district to endeavor to have repealed so much of the law referring to industrial school for girls, as makes the counties from which inmates are sent responsible for their support.

Mr. Gale (G. W.), committee on almshouse and paupers, read bills of almshouse for that institution, previously examined by the committee, and after a partial reading of said bills, the further reading of such bills was suspended, and the special order of the hour being called, it being 2 130, the resolutic«i offered this morning by Mr. Gale (G. W.) was called up.

The following is a copy of the resolution referred to in the foregoing report: .' ; Resolved, That we request our senator, Hon. J. W. Fifer, and our representative in the legislature, Hons. LaFayette Funk, Simeon H. West and Thos. F. -^. Mitchell, to use all honorable efforts to secure a repeal of the "act to aid industrial

On motion of Mr. Eiker said report was accepted and the recommendations of the committee concurred in, and the clerk directed to issue orders in accordance therewith.

(Mr. Robson said he thought the committee, in making contracts, should be \ confined to bridges, the abutments for which had been constructed and approved of by the committee. This course should be pursued for the protection of the county and as a guarantee of good and substantial work. - Clerk.)

Resolved, That the road and bridge committee be, and is hereby authorized, in connection with a like committee from Fulton county, the same to act jointly, to rebuild or replace the bridge at London Mills, on abutments and approaches to be built by the town of Chestnut in Knox county and the town of Hickory in Fulton county, to the satisfaction of said committee.

Strike out all after the words "to act jointly" and then add "to rebuild or repair the iron bridge and approaches at London Mills on abutments to be built by the town of Chestnut in Knox county and the town of Hickory in Fulton county, to the satisfaction of said committee." - '- '':.':

(It was objected that the resolution as amended was contrary to the usual custom of the county in this, that by it the county assumed the cost of constructing the approaches to the bridge and it would constitute a precedent whereby the towns, in the future, might claim the same relief.

In favor of the amendment it was argued that this bridge was exceptional and could not be cited as a precedent. It is located on the county line, and the resolution as amended corresponds with the action of Fulton county, and unless the same action is had by Knox county no progress could be made on the work until after another meeting of the Fulton county board. - Qerk.)

And the question recurring on the resolution of Mr. Robson, as amended, and a vote having been taken, said resolution as amended was carried.

Resolved, That the road and bridge committee be instructed to examine the piers on Spoon river at the bridge known as Trenton bridge and, if found suitable, to place thereon an iron bridge suitable for the place. And if the piers are not found good and substantial that said committee be authorized to construct a bridge at that place as soon as the town of Truro makes said piers to the approval of said committee.

On motion of Dr. Foote the joint committee of Knox and Fulton counties were authorized to dispose of the old bridge at London Mills as they see fit.

Mr. Harden stated that the bridge at Cedar Creek ought to be of iron, and moved that the matter be referred to the road and bridge committee with power to act and that said committee be authorized to dispose of the old wreck to the best advantage. Carried.

; . , ; and bridges, would beg leave to submit the following report: :'^ ^ On matters referred to us at special meeting March 20 we report as fol-

' : i lows: We met with the Fulton county committee at London Mills on 26th of March and received bids from five different bridge companies, and we accepted

-.' , the bid from the King Iron Bridge company for the erection of an iron truss --- bridge 120 feet long, at the sum of ($2,563) twenty-five hundred and sixty-three

' : dollars and the old bridge to be completed by the ist of June next, and also ;- - / received proposals for the erection of the approaches, but have not yet con-

- tracted for the same. We also contracted with the Massilloq Bridge company, y - '; Ohio, for the erection of the three bridges ordered by this board, namely, one

'.---' in Jndian Point, 66 feet; one in Henderson, 46^ feet; one in Rio, 46^ feet, : to be completed twenty-five days after notification of completion of the ma- . sonry, at eleven dollars and seventy-five cents ($11.75) P^r lineal foot, the same five companies competing.

, we recommend be allowed and the amount of ($300) three hundred dollars be .: . issued by the clerk in favor of the highway commissioners of said town. .- .

i On motion of Mr. Gale, said report was accepted and its recommendations concurred in, and the clerk directed to issue orders in accordance therewith.

Dram Shop License

In the matter of the petition from Truro township asking the board to grant one, G. O. Tucker, licensed to keep a dram shop in Williamsfield, your committee would refer the same back to the board for their action.

Galesburg Board Of Park Commissioners

The undersigned, constituting the board of park commissioners of the city of Galesburg, respectfully represents that they have as such commissioners charge of the city park adjoining the courthouse grounds owned by the county. The two tracts lie contiguous, and, there being no intersecting streets, they constitute in appearance one park. It would greatly improve the appearance to have the trees in both tracts uniformly trimmed and the lawns and walks kept clean and in good condition. Untrimmed trees, dead trees and unkept lawns in either tract of land necessarily disfigure and mar the symmetry of the other. While we have official charge of the city park, the west half of said grounds, we tender our unofficial service to the county in taking charge of the courthouse grounds, we offer to superintend the trimming of trees, the removal of dead limbs and dead trees, caring for the lawn and keeping the walks clear of grass and weeds and the planting of trees and shrubbery with the advice of the sheriff and perform all duties connected with properly caring for said grounds the same as we care for the city park. - "

Our services, whether of any particular value or not, would be gratuitous. If permitted to take charge of your grounds, the only expense would be necessary bills for labor, and for any material purchased for use on said grounds.

We respectfully suggest that the trees on the court house grounds now very much need trimming, and that a trivial expense for unskilled labor under the direction of a person experienced in caring for trees will greatly improve the appearance of the grounds. This proposal is not intended and should not be construed as in the slightest degree criticising the condition of the county grounds. ; ?. .

, , Our view is that uniformity in the care of the park and court house grounds will be of benefit and add much to the beauty of both. .-.,....

Resolved, That until further action of the board, the park commissioners of the city of Galesburg be authorized to take charge of the court house grounds

Referring to the proposition from the park commissioners of the city of Galesburg to take charge of the court house grounds, your committee are of the opinion that it is inexpedient to place the care of the grounds in other hands than the officers of the county, and that an attempt to give partial control to

' bilities of the officers in general charge. The committee fully appreciates the motives that prompted the offer of service and recommend that the sheriff and

=. care of the grounds and avail themselves of the advantages of frequent consultations with the park commissioners, and that the sheriff be authorized to

July, 1894. - A petition was presented requesting the board to investigate the charges of cruelty to an idiotic boy confined in the almshouse, John Moore by name, by the authorities thereof by snipping or cutting off strips of skin for : the purpose of grafting upon the arm of another inmate. Said petition being signed by J. D. Moore, J. B. Miller, J. U. Pickrel, J. D. Housh and eighty-two others, residents of the county. . - .-- .

was declared by the surgeon almost inevitable with any ordinary treatment. A relief was hoped for by resorting to the process of skin-grafting. There was at the same time a permanent inmate of the almshouse a young man in perfect health, with fine physical development - an idiot or intellectual paralytic - with no defect in vocal organs, unable to speak, with no more apparent reason than the least intelligent of domestic animals, requiring as constant care as the most helpless infant.

To this person the surgeon resorted to procure the necessary bits of skin to supply the wants of the patient. So far as the patient is concerned the operation seems to be successful and the prospect good for her discharge after a time, with use of both arms, not entirely perfect, but sufficient to enable her to provide for herself and remove the danger of her becoming a permanent public charge.

As to her, the acts of the surgeon were eminently wise and humane, and he is entitled to credit and consideration for his courage and skill and he has rendered valuable service to the county.

As to the man. It is claimed that the operation of taking minute pieces of the outer skin is not very painful, and such is the testimony of a well known citizen of Galesburg, who underwent the same operation for the benefit of a . friend. '' ^ ;

That it has not permanently injured him is apparent on examination, aside from the pain and uneasiness, he suffered no inconvenience as he had nothing to do.

If he could have had a moment of reason it might have been called to his attention, that from infancy to manhood he had been cared for by others and for many years by persons who had no interest in him and on whom he had no other claims than his helplessness, that no man of his age in the county had greater prospects of a life prolonged to old age and that for all the years tq come he must remain the same heavy charge. That this was the one time in all his life that he might render some service to others in return. Incapable of considering or acting for himself, the superintendent assumed the right to act for him in this case as in others.

The superintendent failed to consult the relatives of the man living in the county, but three years before taking charge of the institution, he found the man there, and from that time to this no communication has been received from anyone on his account, no one claiming to be his friend has visited or inquired for him, none had in any way contributed to the cost of his keeping, those to whom a legal liability to contribute attached were presumably unable. The superintendent considered him abandoned to the county and supposed the officials of the county were expected to use their own judgment and discretion in his management, care and support.

The committee fail to find any good foundation for charges of cruelty or of wilful and unnecessary injury to the young man. They believe the efforts of

::> 0 the surgeon made with the approval of the superintendent were well meant and - ; skillfully applied and were in the interest of humanity and of the public service.

I take pleasure in handing you a list of the children taken from your county, with date when received, name of child, from whom received, at what place, etc. This society will be glad to co-operate with you in the care of your homeless, dependent children and will do so on terms already agreed upon, which I think will be mutually pleasant and helpful to you and beneficial to the taxpayers. When a child of sound mind and body is received by us we will undertake to care for it permanently, placing it in a carefully selected and well approved family home, with constant local oversight until of legal age.

'.. Annual conventions of delegates representing the boards of supervisors from the counties under township organization had been held annually, beginning in the year 1887. Our board did not send representatives until the winter of 1895. W. Selden Gale and William Robson were the representatives, and their report is so full of interesting matter that it is given in full.

Mr. Gale of the special committee appointed at the December meeting of this board to represent the county at the state convention of supervisors and county commissioners, submitted the following report: To the Honorable Board of Supervisors, Knox County, Illinois:

The committee appointed at the December meeting of the board to attend the eighth annual convention of supervisors to be held at Edwardsville on the 1 5th day of January begs leave to report.

The undersigned only of the committee were able to fill the appointment, Mr. Stephenson, unfortunately, being detained at home by private business.

The convention was mostly composed of gentlemen who had been connected with their county boards for several years, and the design of the meeting was to permit discussions on matters especially pertaining to the management of county affairs, comparisons of methods and exchange of views drawn from personal experience.

The matters most freely discussed in the formal meetings and in the conversations among members were those that occupy the si)ecial attention of the boards at the regular meetings. Revenue taxation, road and bridges, care of poor and insane.

As to the care of the insane, the opinion was unanimous and intensely felt. Men familiar with the management of insane in counties could form no other opinion or fail to realize its overshadowing importance.

Even in counties like our own, where all has been done that can well be done for the care of those unfortunates, the deficiencies are only too apparent, when we compare them with the state institutions, where, with larger numbers to provide for, due classification can be made, suitable provision made for each class and physicians and nurses with thorough special training supplied.

An enlargement of some of the existing institutions and the addition of a new institution, with capacity equal to the largest of those belonging to the state, would be still less than a fully adequate provision and ought not to be at all delayed.

The question is not of cost, but of efficiency. It matters little whether the expense is borne by the people throughout the county or the state. Comparisons were made of the methods of supporting the poor by counties and by the towns, as prevails under former special legislation in some counties.

It was claimed where the expenses are paid from the town funds more care was used to avoid unnecessary and excessive use of money and closer scrutiny of bills than when town officers made the bills and the county paid them.

It was also claimed that great pressure was often brought to bear upon the supervisor in favor of individuals not always deserving by friends of the claimant, who are ready to make their influence felt by their votes. Oftentimes persons become fixed on the counties as pensioners and cannot, without difficulty, be shaken off, very little credit being given the supervisors for resisting claims in favor of the town on the county fund.

As an illustration an experience in Adams county was given, where, after, under the statute, a county agent was appointed to relieve the supervisor in Quincy, the cost was reduced from $16,000 to $8,000 per annum. The supervisor elected in the city could not free himself from the local pressure, in large part coming from saloonkeepers.

A resolution was offered asking the legislature to provide for a change from county support of poor to town support in any county where the people, at an election to be called for the purpose, should so decide. The committee to whom it was referred reported adversely, and by a majority vote of counties the report was sustained.

on towns containing villages and practically exempt farming towns from that tax, under present conditions the poor being driven into the village for shelter.

The discussion fully confirmed your committee in the opinion that the system into which this county has drifted is, take it all in all, the best.

We have provided a comfortable alms house, where the worthy poor can meet kind and humane treatment, and we insist that all persons, as a condition of receiving aid from the county, should, if able to go, be taken to the alms house.

Leaving to the small towns and trusting to the humanity of their people to provide occasional relief to those in temporary want. Some counties go further than ours in providing for medical attendance on the poor to be supplied by contract. They make contracts in every town, the cost usually being somewhat in proportion to population.

The convention was addressed, as by appointment, by Mr. Charles W. Thomas of Belleville on equitable taxation. Mr. Thomas has very pronounced views and a very energetic delivery. ;.-:/'-

He insisted that the increase in wealth in this country is in franchise and privileges in far greater degree than in tangible property, and this vast amount : of wealth, for the most part, escapes taxation. .. f -

He denounced the state board of equalization and its methods in the valuation of corporate property. He instanced the action of the board as to railroads. He said when the board first assessed the railroads they put an assessment upon their capital stock in addition to the value put on visible property; that this being resisted by the railroads, it was suspended during years of litigation. That the courts of final resort sustained the assessment, but that from that time to this the board had never made another assessment of such capital stock. He stated the valuation and the actual earnings of the Chicago & Alton railroad, claiming that property was undervalued.

He explained and strongly advocated the system of assessment proposed in the report of the revenue commission of '86, by which the revenue for the state should be derived from taxation of railroads, and other property and franchise, which shall be exempt from taxation for local purposes, making the several counties independent of each other in assessments, and take from assessors the motive for competition in lowering values. Mr. Thomas was ill and unable to complete his address which was listened to with great interest.

In conversation among members during recess, some exceptions were taken to some of Mr. Thomas' positions. A former member of the board of equalization fully agreed that the property of corporations was, in many cases grossly under-valued. But while the railroad property seemed under-valued as compared with some descriptions of property, as compared with all the .property in the state, it paid more than its fair proportion.

When the board of equalization put an assessment upon the capital stock of railroads, their visible property was estimated at not more than cost of replacement, that the assessment on capital stock was designed to cover the difference between such cost and actual value. That this mode being objected to, the board attempted to put a value on the visible property based, not on apparent cost, but upon its earning capacity, and this method has since been followed.

It appeared also, that the tax on the Chicago & Alton railroad, as stated by Mr, Thomas, was somewhat higher than it would be under the rule proposed by the revenue commission.

In the matter of the resolution referred to the committee in regard to taxation of mortgage interests on land: they are not prepared to recommend the passage of this resolution in its precise terms, they recommend an expression of opinion by the convention that encumbered real estate should be assessed against the owner of the equity and of the encumbrance, according to the proportionate value of the several interests.

As to the matters presented to the convention in the able address of Mr. Thomas, the committee recommend the convention ask of the legislature careful consideration of plans to provide for the revenue required for the expenses of the state from other sources than the assessed valuation of property, leaving the several counties independent of each other, in matter of assessment and collection of revenue. And the further elimination of the element of competition among assessors in law valuations, by providing for assessments by county officers, basing the levies for county, town and municipal purposes on the valuations made by such county officers.

First, the appointment of a non-partisan commission to have general supervision of the roads of the state, the manner of constructing, with duty to make surveys and ascertain character and location of materials for said construction, etc.

Second, allowing county boards to submit to the people of their counties the proposition to adopt a county road system, with a board of commissioners to take charge of the roads in the county and employ engineers, requiring all road work to be done under the direction of the county commissioners and county engineers, classifying the roads constructing the more important at the general expense of the county.

The chairman of the committee, Mr. Baldwin, of LaSalle county, the author of the profMDsition, sustained the report in a well prepared and forcible address.

He dwelt upon the great losses to farmers by want of constant access to markets over good roads - compared the roads of Illinois to those of European countries ancient and modern - declared that with all our progress in civilization and our improvements, our roads were getting, year by year, worse, under wasteful and insufficient expenditures and want of system.

Other speakers followed, sustaining the chairman of the committee. Reference was made to the supply of stone, especially near Joliet, to the use of con- vict labor on the roads. A gentleman from Quincy proposed a levy tax on successions from 2 to 50 per cent, increasing as the value of estate increase, the proceeds to be applied to highways. As usual the Appian way was referred to.

The first speech in opposition was hy a gentleman from Iroquois, who had spent part of his life in sight of European military roads, who had practical knowledge of roads in a country level in its surface without any material for hard roads.

Your delegates felt bound to represent the feeling so decidedly expressed in the Fanners' Institute of Knox county. Others rapidly followed in opposition to the proposition. It was claimed we had already a system of public highways in our magnificent railroads connecting the remote districts with the commercial centers, a system more perfect and complete than ever till our times was known -to the world. Carrying men and goods at an economy of time and cost till now undreamed of - Amoving freight the length of the state as cheaply as by horse and wagon over good roads for ten miles.

We were reminded that the roads of Illinois that are maintained at the cost of the tax payer are neighborhood roads leading to the nearest station and few townships are without a railroad station and that such roads will be most properly cared for by the people interested in their use.

The statement that the roads of the state were not improving was on all hands denied. Gentlemen from counties that have within a few years adopted township organization declared their roads are better cared for under the township system.

There is a spirit of emulation in the towns and taxes are more cheerfully paid, and liberally levied when the people feel an interest in the application.

It was urged that it was only a question of local option. No county need adopt the system if opposed by the people, to which it was replied, that it was not merely local option, as it might give the power to a portion of the county by combination, to control expenditures to the prejudice of other portions. The report was rejected by an overwhelming majority followed by continued applause.

A proposition recommending the amendment of the road and bridge laws, to give counties the option to discontinue collection of poll tax was vigorously debated and passed by a small majority.

A draft of a bill for amendment of the Australian ballot law was introduced, coming from the Adams county board and endorsement of convention asked.

The object was to more clearly define the provisions of the act as applying to the town election, while the object was approved the bill was too complex to be intelligently passed upon by the convention in the limited time. There was general expression of opinion in conversation that the law ought not to have been made to apply to town meetings in rural townships.

A committee was appointed, requested to personally present the recommendation of the convention to the legislature. Mr. Eades, of LaSalle (chairman of

Your committee believe the interests of the state will be promoted by annual convention of supervisors for consultation, exchange of views and comparison of methods. That the value will be in proportion to the attention given them and the more or less full representation of counties. They recommend the passage of resolution calling the matter to the attention of the board of '95 and advis- ' .' ;^.\ ing the sending of delegates to the convention of '96. . 'v

Resolved, That the foregoing report be adopted and that we hereby extend a vote of thanks to Messrs. Gale and Robson, our representatives to the state convention of supervisors and county commissioners of this state, for the full and complete report presented by them of the proceedings of the convention. And we would hereby most heartily endorse the action of the convention in its adoption of the report of its committee on legislation, recommending to the legislature the careful consideration of plans to provide for the revenue required for the expenses of the state from other sources than the assessed valuation of property, and we would also hereby approve their recommendation of calling the attention of the board of 1895 to the convention which will meet in Kankakee in January, 1896, and their advising of the sending of delegates to that meeting.

Be It Resolved, That as the next regular state convention of county commissioners, supervisors and clerks is to be held in Galesburg in 1905, the chairman of the county board appoint a special committee of seven, the chairman of the board to be a member thereof, to make arrangements for said meeting.

Mr. Rebstock announced the following special committee on arrangements for state convention of county commissioners, supervisors and county clerks, to . be held in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1905: Messrs. Robson, Clark, Swanson, Mc- Williams, McDowell and Cowan. .,.,, .

Resolved, That the special committee on arrangements for the state convention of county commissioners, supervisors and county clerks be and are hereby authorized to proceed with and carry out all necessary work pertaining to the convention.

September, 1903. - A committee ftf the Mother Bickerdyke Memorial association appeared before the board and requested permission to be heard. On motion permission was granted, and Mrs. Fannie Blazer addressed the board, asking that the Mother Bickerdyke Memorial association have leave to erect a statue in honor of Mother Bickerdyke on the courthouse grounds.

Mr. McWilliams further moved that the chair appoint five members of the board to form with the chairman of the board a special committee of six, the chairman of the board being chairman of the special committee, to determine the location of the memorial statue on the courthouse grounds and to act with the committee having charge of the same from the association. The motion carried.

Mr. Rebstock announced the following named persons, Messrs. McWilliams, Burkhalter, Sisson, McDowell and Woods, as the special committee as provided for in yesterday's proceedings.

On the 2nd day of September, 1834, the commissioners of the county entered into a contract with Simeon Dolph for building a ferry boat on Spoon river, said boat to be completed within three months from this date for the sum of $45, to be paid on the completion and delivery of said boat agreeably to said written contract. On the 4th day of March the year following it appears that the ferry boat was completed according to contract and that the contract was returned and endorsed satisfied by the clerk of the court. It does not appear whether the boat was to transport passengers only or whether it was intended to carry carriages, horses and loaded wagons. That sum of money to-day would just about pay for a good rowboat, but it is quite likely that at the time the boat was constructed it would be large enough to carry anything that might come along and seek passage over Spoon river. At that time the court ordered that the clerk issue a license to Simeon Dolph to keep ferry on Spoon river at the crossing of the road leading from Knoxville in a direction to Canton for the term of one year from the first day of March, 1835, upon the payment to the treasurer of the sum of $2 and giving bond as required by law.

In the early days before very many bridges were constructed the crossing of streams was effected by means of ferries. We have just noted the establishment of a ferry on Spoon river where the road from Knoxville runs southeast toward Canton. On the first day of June, 1835, the county commissioners entered an order that the clerk issue a license to Asa Crooks of Henry county to keep a ferry according to the law across Rock river. The following is the order establishing the ferry, also for the license and the rates of ferriage established.

Asa Crooks made application in open court for a ferry to be established on Rock river at or near the Prophet's Village, in Henry county, and the said Asa Crooks having made it appear to the satisfaction of the said commissioners that a notice of his intention in relation thereto had been posted upon the door of the courthouse, in the town of Knoxville, at least four weeks preceding the sitting of this court and there being no other application before this court in relation to a ferry on said stream, and the court being of opinion that said ferry is necessary and of public utility, it is therefore ORDERED: That a ferry be established on Rock river in the county of Henry at any point on said river within one mile of the mouth of the creek near Prophet's Village, subject to such regulations, restrictions and forfeitures as are provided by law or as may hereafter be provided by law in relation to ferries.

ORDERED: That the clerk of this court issue a license to Asa Crook of Henry county to keep the said ferry according to law, upon his paying into the county treasury the sum of two dollars for the amount of the tax on said ferry for the term of one year from this date, being the amount of the first year's tax on said ferry, and also on his entering into a bond with sufficient securities as provided for by law in the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, conditioned as is required by law.

At the time this ferry was established in Henry county the judicial business of Henry county was all performed by the county commissioners of Knox county according to the law in force at that time. Hence it is that the commissioners of Knox county took jurisdiction of this matter.

June, 1910. - The following communication was read and together with the petition filed therewith referred to the judiciary committee. To the Supennsors of Knox County, Illinois:

In the matter of the petitions asking the judge to submit to a vote the proposition as to whether or not the state's attorney's office should be placed on a salary basis, I beg leave to report that petitions containing the names of 1,478 voters have been returned to my office.

The statute provides that these petitions shall contain twenty per cent of the legal voters of the county before the judge can order that this question be placed upon the ballot. We have not found out the exact number of legal voters, but I think that we will have to have approximately two-thirds as many more signatures as we now have.

W. C. Frank

In the matter of petitions for placing the state's attorney's office on a salary basis, I respectfully report that I now have enough petitions returned to assure the proposition being placed upon the ballot for the November election, and there are a few names to be returned yet. When these others are returned the whole will be filed in the county court and the judge will enter an order placing the proposition upon the ballot for the November election. ,. . j Dated this I9th day of September, A. D. 1910. " '

December, 1910. - The judiciary committee presented the following certified copy of a decree entered in the county court on the result of the votes on the question on the proposition for placing the office of the state's attorney on a salary basis, which was read and on motion of Mr. Barlow was ordered placed on file, and that it appear in the record of the proceedings: f '

In the matter of the petition to the Hon. R. C. Rice, judge of the county court of Knox county, Illinois, to submit to a vote of the electors of Knox county, Illinois, the proposition as to whether or not the electors of said Knox county shall adopt an act of the general assembly of the said state of Illinois, entitled "an act to amend an act entitled 'an act concerning fees and salaries, and to classify the several counties of this state with reference thereto.' " Approved March 29, 1872, in force July i, 1872; as amended by act approved June 4, 1889; in force July i, 1889; title as amended by act approved March 28, 1874, in force July I, 1874, by adding thereto eight new sections to be known as Sections 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g and 8h, approved May 15, 1903, in force July i, 1903.

This day it appearing to the court from a certified copy of the abstract of votes on the question for adopting the proposed amendments to "an act concerning fees and salaries and to classify the several counties of this state with reference thereto, viz. : Sections 8a, 8b, 8c (8d), 8e, 8f, 8g and 8h, at an election held in the different election districts in the county of Knox, in the state of Illinois, on Tuesday, the eighth day of November. A. D. 1910, as made by the county canvassing board of the county aforesaid, filed in this court by Frank L. Adams, county clerk of Knox county, in said state, that "yes" received four thousand two hundred forty-eight votes, and "no" received one thousand one hundred six votes, and.

Therefore, it is ordered, adjudged and decreed by the county judge of Knox county, Illinois, that the act of the general assembly of the state of Illinois, entitled "an act to amend an act entitled, 'an act concerning fees and salaries, and to classify the several counties of this state with reference thereto.' " Approved March 29, 1872, in force July i, 1872; as amended by act approved June 4, 1889, in force July i, 1889; title as amended by act approved March 28, 1874, in force July i, 1874; by adding thereto eight new sections to be known as Sections 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g and 8h. Approved May 15, 1903. In force July I, 1903; be and the same is hereby declared to be in force in the county of Knox, in the state of Illinois.

September, 1910. - There appeared before the committee State's Attorney Boutelle. Judge R. C. Rice and Mrs. W. E. Simonds in the interest of a detention school for juvenile offenders, and we recommend that the sum of $500 be taken from any funds not otherwise appropriated, provided the Galesburg board of education agree to hire and pay the matron teacher for such detention school.

December, 1910. - Chairman Hoxworth addressed the board in regard to the board of election commissioners in the city of Galesburg, and stated that as they were drawing about $4,000 a )ear from the county for which the county itself derives no benefit, he wished the matter be taken up by the board with the legislators from this county, and that they enter its earnest protest and suggested that a resolution on this subject might accomplish something.

He further stated that he was heartily in favor of a compulsory registration law, that it should apply to the entire county. He suggested that the board appoint a committee of three to draft resolutions on this subject and that the treasurer be directed to get an opinion from the attorney general before the county pays out much more money on that account, but without bringing about any contest over the matter.

Mr. Paden offered a motion that the chair appoint a committee of three to prepare resolutions on the subject of the board of election commissioners in the city of Galesburg, and the payment of their salaries from the county funds, which motion was seconded. ' :

Mr. Robson also stated that he believed the county should go slow in paying out funds for the pay of the election commissioners in the city of Galesburg as on the face of it it seemed contrary to American principles that the county should be taxed without representation, and he favored the motion appointing a committee to look into the matter and suggested that the committee instruct the county treasurer to obtain an opinion from the attorney general and the state's attorney on the matter.

The chairman then announced that he would appoint Messrs. Paden, Greig and Robson as a committee to draft the resolutions as provided in the motion.

Your special committee on resolutions in the matter of the election commissioner's law would respectfully present the following resolutions :

Resolved, that the county treasurer be instructed to obtain the opinions of the state's attorney and of the attorney general as to the constitutionality of the election law under which the city of Galesburg is now operating.

DEAR SIR: I have yours of December I9th, wherein you submit a portion of a resolution adopted at the December meeting of the Knox county board of supervisors which reads as follows : . vv .

"Rcsoh'cd, that the county treasurer be instructed to obtain the opinions of the state's attorney and of the attorney-general as to the constitutionality of the election law under which the city of Galesburg is now operating."

- And, in conformity with said resolution, you request my opinion upon the question therein submitted. You also ask that I supply you, upon a separate sheet, my opinion as to whether or not a county treasurer could be held liable for the moneys paid out as salaries of election commissioners, clerk hire and printing bills, in case the law should for any reason be declared unconstitutional,

In reply will state that the state's attorney is made by statute the legal advisor of both you and the board of supervisors upon official matters. It is the duty of the attorney-general to act in an advisory capacity to the state's attorney when requested by him.

It has never been my policy to attempt to supercede the state's attorney in matters pertaining to his office. To do so might result in embarrassment not only to him but also to this office. I must, therefore, in the first instance refer you to the state's attorney of your county, and if he is in doubt as to the law and desires the opinion of this office I shall be glad to accommodate him.

;. Upon reflection I think you will agree that this policy is the only proper one and that the attorney-general should refrain from superceding the state's attorney in the performance of his official duty of advising the county officers.

DEAR SIR: Replying to your inquiry as to the letter of the attorney-general regarding the matter of an opinion on the "constitutionality of the election law under which the city of Galesburg is now operating," will say that I have given the subject careful consideration and find that our supreme court has passed on this question in the. case of The People vs. Hoffman et al., 1 16 111., page 587, in which it is held that the act referred to is a valid one and not in contravention of any constitutional provision. Also the provision that the law has no operation in a city, town or village until adopted by the voters thereof will not render it local or special or make it invalid. A general law may depend upon some contingency as when it takes effect in a particular locality. This election law has also been held constitutional, and above case cited with approval in the case of People vs. Wamek, 241 111., page 529.

The same question in principle has been decided by our supreme court upon other laws where a vote of the people was necessary for their adoption. "It is competent for the legislature to pass a law, the ultimate operation of which may, by its own terms, be made to depend upon a contingency." "Delegation of power to make the law is forbidden, * * * but there can be no valid objection to a law which confers any authority or discretion as to its execution to be exercised under and in pursuance of the law itself." 162 111.,

Same rule was held in reference to the jury commissioner's act of 1897. "Constitutions, like statutes, must receive a reasonable construction. It has been determined and has become the settled rule of construction in this state that an act general in its terms and uniform in its operation upon all persons and subject matter in like situation is a general law and not obnoxious to the objection that it is local or special legislation." "Before an act of the legislature can be held unconstitutional it must be clear that it is so. All doubts are to be resolved in favor of the validity of the statute." 170 III., 460.

In regard to the civil service act it was decided : "It is further claimed that the law is unconstitutional as being special legislation. This contention is also without force, as the law itself provides for its operation only in those cities which by a vote of the people may adopt it. Laws of this character are not obnoxious to the constitutional inhibition against special legislation." 171

The present local option law, to which constitutional objection was raised, was held not to be contrary to the constitution in the McBride case, 234 111.

I note in quoting from the letter from the attorney-general addressed to you that he states that where the state's attorney is in doubt as to the law and desires the opinion of the attorney-general that he would render such opinion. However, in view of the fact that the supreme court has passed squarely on the constitutionality of the so-called election commissioner's law it would hardly be contended that the question was involved in any doubt, as a supreqie court decision is the highest authority to which I could refer you.

: Gentlemen: Your committee appointed at the April meeting to have charge of the Boys' Corn Growing Contest beg leave to report as follows :

Soon after their appointment the committee met and formulated a plan for the contest. First, second and third prizes of $20.00, $10.00 and $5.00 respectively, were offered for each of four exhibits of corn grown and selected by boys in the county, of eighteen years and under ; also three prizes of the same amount for the best essay as to how the writer produced his com. This series of prizes involved the expenditure of $175.00 and it was found practicable to offer a sweeptakes prize of a rubber-tired top buggy of the value of $125.00. Further, prizes of $3.00 and $2.00 were offered for the best corn shown from each township, barring such exhibits as should receive county prizes. You were asked individually to provide for your townships the $5.00 necessary for the last mentioned prize; and you have the thanks of the committee for responding as you did. : ,;;

Mr. Paden and the County Superintendent acted for the committee in soliciting from the business houses of Galesburg the $200.00 necessary, in addition to the $100.00 appropriated by this Board, to carry out the plan.

As to the response to the plan ; more than two hundred boys expressed their interest, about one hundred, as nearly as could be determined, planted corn. Many of the plots were small and in several respects the season was unfavorable ; so a considerable number of those who grew a crop were unable to exhibit. However, just prior to the time of the show forty-one said they had corn to bring and thirty-six entries of corn grown by boys were made. In addition to this twenty-seven exhibited a selection of corn they had made without reference to the grower - sixty-three in all.

The corn was scored by Mr. Leigh F. Maxey, Secretary of the Illinois Corn Growers' Association. He expressed the judgment that it was an unusually successful show.

The attendance throughout the day was good, the county court room being too small to accommodate all present in the afternoon. Addresses were delivered by Mr. Grieg for the committee, Hon. Qark E. Carr, Supt. A. C. Butler, and Hon. J. W. Hunter of Abingdon.

The gathering of boys for this contest was made the occasion of organizing a Knox County Boys' Club, the purpose of which is to foster among the boys of our county an interest in and a love for farm life and to assist them in doing their part in their homes, their schools, and their communities.

Many expressions of approval of such a contest have come to our ears from intelligent farmers and other tax payers interested in the best development of the county.

It is the opinion of your committee that a good start has been made and the members are unanimous in the conclusion that this board would do wisely to provide for continuing the work of encouraging farm boys of the county to an interest in corn and its production.

- Chairman Hoxworth then announced that in compliance with the request of "-i -'^ Superintendent Boyes, as expressed before this board, he would appoint ;'.,::;; Messrs. Grieg, Baird and Paden as members of the special committee to co- :'- operate with the county superintendent in the matter of the corn contest and exhibition for the boys of the Knox county schools for the ensuing year, which ;;: appointment was concurred in by the board. . , V

Index

Farmers and Mechanics, Galesburg, 467. Second National, Galesburg, 467. First National Bank, 467. Galesburg National, 468. Bank of Galesburg, 469 to 475. People's Trust & Savings Bank, 475, 476. Maquon State Bank, 477. First National, Maquon, 478. in Yates City, 478 to 480. Oneida Exchange, 481. Oneida State Bank, 481. People's Bank of Abingdon, 481. First National of Abingdon, 482. First State & Savings Bank of Abingdon, 483.

Bank of Altona, 484. State Bank of Victoria, 485. First State Bank Co., Williamsfield, 486. Wataga State Bank, 486. Brown's Business College, Galesburg, 589,

First Baptist Church, Galesburg, 659. new building, 659. . .'- persecutions, 660. enlargement of building, 660. division, 661. reunion, 661.

Broad St. building sold, 662. new building, 662. destruction by fire, 663. present structure, 663. subsequent history, 664. Ontario church, 665, 666.

controversy over Knox College, 633. other Galesburg churches, 633. churches outside of Galesburg, 634. Ontario & Oneida, 634, 635. Wataga, 635. Victoria, 635.

Stark county, 7. Survey, congressional, 7. Sanborn, John G., 9, 11, 12. Salem twp. Indians, 45. State Road, Knoxville to New Boston, 55. Suits, character of, 56. .

Wheeler Alvah, 61. Workhouse, petition for, 171 to 175. Wataga, village, 432. Walnut Grove twp., 433. Williamsfield, village of, 439. Woman's work, clubs, etc., 508.

The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

Galesburg is proud, as well it may be, of the record of Colonel Clark E. Carr, now one of the venerable and honored residents of the city. His interests and activities, however, have been so broad and varied as to make him a man of national character, for he has sustained many important relations to the public service and in other associations has been found faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. He was born in the town of Boston, Erie county. New York, May 20, 1836, and is descended from a family of English origin, the records of which are traced back to the time of the Norman Conquest. William Carr was born in London, England, June 17, 1597, and was married May i6, 1619, to Susan Rothchild, in London. They came to America in the fall of 1621 as passengers on the ship Fortune, Captain Roger Williams commanding, and landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, on the 7th of November. For many generations the branch of the family of which Colonel Carr is a representative remained in New England. His paternal grandfather was the Rev. Qark Carr, who was born at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where one of his anc^tors, Caleb Carr, had once served as colonial governor. The Rev. Clark Carr was a Baptist minister who preached for fifty years in western New York, becoming a pioneer of that section of the state. He married Patty Merwin and lived to be eighty years of age, while his wife reached the advanced age of almost ninety years. They were the parents of a son and two daughters : Clark M. ; Laura, who became the wife of Ambrose Torrey ; and Louisa, who married Willard Alger.

Clark M. Carr, born in the Empire state, was reared in Erie county. New York, and having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Delia Torrey, a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Asa and Lydia (Roberts) Torrey. Her father was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and was of English descent. The mother of President Taft was a Torrey, closely related to Asa Torrey, Judge Alphonso Taft, the father of the president, having married Louisa Maria Torrey, a daughter of Samuel D. Torrey, of Millbury, Massachusetts.

It was some years after the marriage of Clark M. Carr that he removed to the middle west, arriving in the spring of 1850 in Henry county, Illinois, where he lived for nearly two years, after which he established his home in Galesburg in the autumn of 1851. Clark M. Carr engaged in various lines of business but during his residence in Galesburg was largely occupied with the promotion and building of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He died in this city in 1876 at the age of seventy-two years. His first wife, Mrs. Delia (Torrey)

Colonel Clark E. Carr

Galesbiirg is proud, as well it may be. of the record of Colonel Clark E. Carr, now one of the venerable and honored residents of the city. His interests and activities, however, have been so broad and varied as to make him a man of national character, for he has sustained many important relations to the public service and in other associations has been found faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. He was born in the town of Boston. Erie county, New York, May 20. 1836. and is descended from a family of English origin, the records of which are traced back to the time of the Norman Conquest. William Carr was born in London. England. June i/. 1597. and was married May i6. 1619. to Susan Rothchild. in London. They came to America in the fall of 1621 as passengers on the ship Fortune, Captain Roger Williams commanding, and landed at Plymouth. Massachusetts, on the /th of November. Eor many generations the branch of the family of which Colonel Carr is a representative remained in New England. His paternal grandfather was the Rev. Gark Carr, who was born at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where one of his ancestors. Caleb Carr. had once served as colonial governor. The Rev. Clark Carr was a Baptist minister who preached for fifty years in western New York, becoming a pioneer of that section of the state. He married Patty Merwin and lived to be eighty years of age. while his wife reached the advanced age of almost ninety years. They were the parents of a son and two daughters: Clark M. : Laura, who became the wife of Ambrose Torrey; and Louisa, who married Willard Alger.

Clark M. Carr, born in the Empire state, was reared in Erie county. Xcw York, and having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Delia Torrey. a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Asa and Lydia (Roberts) Torrey. TTer father was born in Weymouth. Massachusetts, and was of English de-^cent. The mother of President Taft was a Torrey. closely related to Asa Torrey. Tii<lge Alphonso Taft. the father of the president, having married Louisa Maria Torrey. a daughter of Samuel D. Torrey. of Millbury. Massachusetts.