historical events and anniversaries and to procure and preserve in permanent form and recollections and reminiscences of its older men and women. THE GREAT CELEBRATION AT SPRINGFIELD. The details of the celebration at the State Capitol have not all been worked out, but it is intended to make this feature of the centennial of great historical importance. It is planned to have a centennial exposition displaying the agricultural and manufacturing progress of the State, together with its varied resources; also an historical pageant, setting forth graphically and with artistic beauty the wonderful development that has been attained in a hundred years of progress. President Edmund J. James, of the University of Illinois, Chairman of the Committee on Dedicatory Program at Springfield, has formulated a tentative plan which, when worked out, will furnish one of the principal features of the centennial observance. It is .hoped that this feature can be made of world wide interest and that other states and nations will participate in it. CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL BUILDING. The General Assembly has already taken cognizance of the need of additional room at the State Capitol, and a commission has been appointed to take the preliminary steps looking to the erection of an Educational Building. The Centennial Commission has felt that this building might also serve the purpose of being a Centennial Memorial, commemorating in permanent form the one hundredth anniversary of Illinois' statehood. Such a building could contain all the features that have been planned for it from the standpoint of the State's needs, and also be a suitable memorial, providing for the historical collections of the State, its archives, and other collateral interests. The Committee on Centennial Memorial Publications, of which Doctor O. L. Schmidt is Chairman, has been up to this time the most active of the committees of the commission, and has with the advice and consent of the Governor and the entire commission already made plans for the compiling and editing of a comprehensive centennial memorial history of Illinois, to consist of six volumes, to be written or compiled by competent, trained historical writers, the first volume a separate publication to be entitled, "Illinois in 1818." This volume is to be edited by Doctor Solon J. Buck, and will be the first published. It will embrace an account of social, economic and political conditions at the close of the territorial period; of the organization of the State and its admission into the Union. The other five volumes are to be a series of volumes relating to the different periods of the State's history. This series will be under the general editorship of Professor C. W. Alvord, of the University of Illinois, whose work on the Illinois State Historical Collections has gained for him a reputation second to none. Several other authors or editors have been secured to edit volumes for which their ability and experience has made them peculiarly fitted. The several volumes have the following titles: Volume I. Province and Territory 1673-1818. Volume III. The Era of Transition 1848-1878. Volume IV. The Industrial State 1870-1893. Volume V. The Modern Commonwealth 1893-1918. These volumes it is expected will be written in a narrative style which will be attractive to the general reader, but there will be foot notes and bibliographical apparatus which will make them valuable for the use of the scholars. The cost of the publication of the Centennial Memorial Historical Series has been estimated to be thirty-four thousand dollars ($34,000.00), and the commission will ask of this General Assembly the (Forty-ninth), one-half of this sum, seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000.00), and the Fiftieth General Assembly will be asked to make the necessary appropriation of seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000.00) to complete the work. HISTORICAL STATUES AND MARKINGS. In the opinion of the Committee on Historical Statues and Markings, in which the commission concurs, it is not thought desirable to provide for a large number of statues or monuments at this time. To some extent it may be possible for particular counties or cities to recognize in the centennial year men who have been especially associated with such localities. The commission desires, however, to give its cordial endorsement and support to the plans inaugurated by the Forty-eighth General Assembly, and now being carried on by the State Art Commission, for the erection of statues in commemoration of Lincoln and Douglas on the Capitol grounds. We would further suggest the desirability of making preparations at this time for a monument or tablet especially recognizing the services of Nathaniel Pope, territorial delegate in Congress at the time of the admission of Illinois to the Union, to whom the chief credit for the passage of the Enabling Act in its final form is due. WORK OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLICITY. The Committee on Publicity, of which Honorable John S. Burns is Chairman, is one of the most important committees of the commission, and has worked untiringly to bring before the people of the State the fact that the centennial is approaching and that it must be celebrated in a manner befitting the occasion and the State of Illinois. The press of this and other states has accepted with great and generous interest the information furnished by this committee and has generally recommended and advanced editorially and locally the plans of the commission, especially with regard to the proposed Centennial Memorial Building and the Centennial Historical Publications. NECESSITY FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION. In 1818 Illinois was a frontier territory, but its geographical position, its soil, its water-course[s] and its rapidly growing population destined it to become a very important factor in the life of the Union. In its tremendous development during its one hundred years of statehood, Illinois has more than justified the hopes and prophecies of its statesmen and citizens. Ohio was the first of the states of the old northwest territory to complete its first century of statehood. It failed to observe its centennial in an adequate way. This has been greatly regretted by many of its citizens. Indiana will next year, 1916, observe its centennial, and efforts are being made to make the celebration a notable one, but it now appears that it will be unable to carry out the splendid plans which have been made for a great celebration because her citizens did not begin the movement in time. Illinois should take warning from the mistakes of her sister states and leave nothing undone to insure a complete and well planned celebration of its Centennial in 1918. The resolution creating this commission carried with it an appropriation of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), for preliminary work for the first two years. It is believed that this amount has been wisely and economically expended, and the commission is asking the present General Assembly tơ appropriate a like sum at least for its work during the next biennial period. Respectfully submitted, OTTO L. SCHMIDT, J. W. GARNER, E. B. GREENE, H. W. JOHNSON, GEORGE B. BAKER, THE ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. HUGH S. MAGILL, JR., President, JOHN HUSTON. By unanimous consent, on motion of Mr. Boehm, the following resolution offered by Mr. Glackin, March 2, 1915, was taken up for consideration and on his motion was adopted: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 7. WHEREAS, The attention of the people of the State of Illinois has been directed to the dismissal from service of a number of the aged and infirm Federal employees who have faithfully served the Government for many years; and, WHEREAS, The salaries paid these employees have been inadequate to permit them to live in a manner benefiting citizens of these United States, educate their families and lay aside sufficient to keep them in their old age; and, WHEREAS, The Government has made no provision for the maintenance of its employees when retired from service because of old age or infirmity; and, WHEREAS, Said employees must of necessity become a burden upon the public; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring, That Congress pass a total disability and old age pension law to provide for the retirement and maintenance of Government employees; and, be it further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the President of the United States and also to each of the members of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. By unanimous consent, Mr. Roos offered the following resolution: SENATE RESOLUTION No. 28. WHEREAS, There has passed from the scenes of this life the Honorable John Humphrey of Orland, Illinois, formerly a member of this Senate from the Seventh Senatorial District, in the Thirty-fifth, Thirty-sixth, Thirtyseventh, Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty-second, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, and Forty-sixth General Assemblies; WHEREAS, during his twenty-four years of service in this body from 1886. to 1910 he devoted himself untiringly to the interests of his constituents, both in his district and in the entire State, rendering most valuable and distinguished services; and, WHEREAS, In his death the State has lost a valuable public servant and those with whom he has long been associated a loyal and devoted friend; therefore, be it Resolved, by the Senate of the Forty-ninth General Assembly, that we hereby express our deep regret at the death of our distinguished fellow citizen and our sincere sympathy for his bereaved family; and, Resolved further, That these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that an engrossed copy thereof be sent to his family by the Secretary of the Senate, and that as a further mark of respect this Senate do now adjourn. The foregoing resolution was unanimously adopted by a rising vote, and at 2:05 o'clock p. m., the President of the Senate declared the Senate adjourned. THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1915, 10:00 O'CLOCK A. M. Senate met pursuant to adjournment, Hon. Barratt O'Hara, Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate, presiding. Prayer by the Chaplain. The President of the Senate announced that the approval of the Journal of yesterday would go over until the next legislative day. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. Mr. Barr, from the Committee on Judiciary and Judicial Practice, to whom was referred a bill, Senate Bill No. 147, for "An Act to provide for placing United States National flags on school houses, court houses and other public buildings in this State, and to repeal certain Acts therein named,' approved June 2, 1897, in force July 1, 1897, by adding to said Act a new section to be known as section three-a (3a) and by amending the title of said Act so as to read as hereinafter provided," Reported the same back with an amendment thereto, and recommended that the amendment be adopted, and that the bill, as amended, do pass, and that it be ordered to a first reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a first reading, and was immediately taken up and read at large a first time, ordered to a second reading, and to be printed with the amendment. Mr. Barr, from the Committee on Judiciary and Judicial Practice, to whom was referred a bill, Senate Bill No. 114, for “An Act to authorize cities, incorporated towns and townships to establish and maintain free public libraries and reading rooms,' approved and in force March 7, 1872, as amended by subsequent Acts, by amending sections one (1) and five (5) thereof," Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill do pass and that it be ordered to a first reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a first reading, and was immediately taken up and read at large a first time, and ordered to a second reading. A message from the House by Mr. McCann, Clerk: Mr. President-I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: HOUSE BILL No. 102. A bill for "An Act to provide for a deficiency in office and other expenses of the Industrial Board for the period beginning January 1st and ending June 30th, 1915." HOUSE BILL No. 79. A bill for "An Act making an appropriation to meet the deficiencies in the appropriations to the Insurance Superintendent for expenses in the prosecution of violations of the insurance laws; for all examinations and investigations such amount for expenses incurred and services of assistants employed, as shall be collected from the companies or associations examined; for additional office help; for printing reports of examination, and for office expenses." HOUSE BILL No. 176. A bill for "An Act to provide for an increase in the number of judges of the Circuit Court of Cook County." Passed the House March 24, 1915, by a two-thirds vote. B. H. MCCANN, Clerk of the House. A message from the House by Mr. McCann, Clerk: Mr. President-I am directed to inform the Senate that the House has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title to wit: SENATE BILL No. 3. A bill for “An Act to provide for the incidental expenses of the Fortyninth General Assembly for the State of Illinois." Together with the following amendments in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: AMENDMENT No. 1. Amend Senate Bill No. 3, as printed in the House, section 1, line 5, by inserting after the word "thousand" the following words "five hundred." AMENDMENT No. 2. Amend Senate Bill No. 3, as printed in the House, section 1, line 8, by striking out the word "five" and inserting in lieu thereof the word "six." AMENDMENT No. 3. Amend Senate Bill No. 3, as printed in the House, section 1, by striking out all of lines 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the printed bill. Passed the House, as amended, March 24, 1915, by a two-thirds vote. B. H. MCCANN, Clerk of the House. PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTIONS. Mr. Ettelson offered the following resolution: SENATE RESOLUTION No. 29. Resolved, That the following are hereby declared elected officers and employees of the Senate for the regular and all special sessions of the Fortyninth General Assembly in addition to those already elected: First Assistant Secretary, T. F. Russell. Second Assistant Secretary, W. M. Buckham. Secretary's Janitor, Thomas R. Thomson. Sergeant-at-Arms, Joseph Miller, to date from January 6, 1915. First Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, G. G. Lindblade, to date from January 6, 1915. Second Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, F. W. Benjamin, to date from January 6, 1915. |