396 



ILLINOIS. 



temporary dwellings was about $1,200,000, 

 and the balance of the relief fund was devoted 

 to supplying food, clothing, and fuel to those 

 in want. 



On the 10th of October, Governor Palmer 

 issued a proclamation, summoning the Legisla- 

 ture to meet in extra session on the 13th, to 

 take into consideration such measures as 

 should be deemed expedient for the relief and 

 assistance of the people of Chicago. The 

 Legislature met on the appointed day, and, 

 after adopting the following resolution, ad- 

 journed until the 16th, to enable the mem- 

 bers to visit the afflicted city : 



Whereas, The most destructive conflagration known 

 in history has recently swept over the city of Chica- 

 go, destroying untold millions of dollars' worth of 

 property, and the homes of more than a hundred 

 thousand people, occasioning a frightful loss of hu- 

 man life, and producing the greatest suffering ; and 



Whereas, This appalling calamity has left house- 

 less and penniless many thousands of people, whose 

 destitute condition and great misfortunes now appeal 

 to the civilized world for material aid and Christian 

 sympathy; and 



Whereas, This unparalleled disaster constitutes 

 "an extraordinary occasion" in the affairs of the 

 State, requiring the convening of the two Houses of 

 the General Assembly in special session, to consider 

 measures of relief: therefore be it 



Resolved by the House, the Senate concurring Jierein, 

 That we do hereby extend to all the sufferers by this 

 great conflagration the most earnest and heart-felt 

 sympathies of the whole people of the State of Illi- 

 nois ; that, while profoundly sympathizing with the 

 people of Chicago in this their great affliction and 

 hour of need, we will also extend to them material 

 aid to the extent of our powers under the constitu- 

 tion, and as far as the resources of the State will ad- 

 mit. 



Rssolved, That the Secretary of State be requested 

 to forward to the Mayor of Chicago a copy of the 

 foregoing preamble and resolution. 



Resolved by the House, the Senate concurring, That 

 the thanks of the people of Illinois, represented in 

 the General Assembly, are hereby tendered to the 

 people everywhere, who by their promptitude and 

 generous liberality have so nobly provided for the 

 immediate necessities of the afflicted people of Chi- 

 cago. 



On the reassembling of the two Houses on 

 the 16th, a message was received from the 

 Mayor of Chicago, announcing that he had 

 appointed a committee to represent his views 

 and "the views of the city administration," 

 and offering the following suggestions : 



Our city has no money in its treasury, except 

 funds which by law are to be held for special pur- 

 poses. 



The corporation is without a dollar with which to 

 replace its public buildings, build its bridges, im- 

 prove streets, or pay its current expenses. 



An assessment of taxes, based upon former values, 

 ought not to be, and cannot be, collected. 



A new assessment, or something equivalent there- 

 to, should be authorized. Taxation must of neces- 

 sity almost wholly close for the next year or two. 



Special assessments for local improvements must 

 cease. The most rigid economy must be exercised, 

 but the interest upon the city bonds must be paid, 

 and the credit maintained. 



With the assistance which can be given by the 

 State in refunding the money expended by the city 

 upon the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and "other le- 

 gislative aid which it is in the power of the General 



Assembly to grant, and which will be suggested by 

 the committees, it is believed that this great metrop- 

 olis can maintain its former credit, influence, and 

 commanding commercial position. 



In the legislation that may be suggested, I ask 

 your honorable body to believe that the' citizens and 

 city authorities can be trusted as heretofore to carry 

 on the city government. I have no doubt that, with 

 the aid of the present efficient city officers, the pres- 

 ent city government will be equal to the emergency, 

 and that it, and the city government which is soon to 

 succeed it, can be safely intrusted with all matters of 

 a municipal character. 



The magnitude of the disaster that has befallen 

 the city, and the fact that tens of thousands of our 

 citizens need all the aid that can be rendered to 

 them, are undoubtedly well known to all your mem- 

 bers. 



It is unnecessary for me to make any appeal in the 

 behalf of our suffering citizens, as your honorable 

 body will undoubtedly render them all the aid with- 

 in your power. Very respectfully, 



E. B. MASON, Mayor city of Chicago. 



On the same day a message was submitted 

 by the Governor, presenting various sugges- 

 tions of his own on the same subject. The 

 principal measure of relief adopted was em- 

 bodied in an act to reimburse the city of Chi- 

 cago for the money it had expended in deep- 

 ening and widening the Illinois & Michigan 

 Canal. At first it was proposed to raise the 

 funds for this purpose by a loan payable in ten 

 years, but it was finally determined to use in 

 part for the purpose the Illinois Central Rail- 

 road fund, in part a special tax of 1 mill on 

 the dollar on the assessments for 1871-"72, and 

 in part a temporary loan of $250,000. The 

 substantial aid rendered to the city by this act 

 amounted to $2,955,340. 



The Legislature adjourned on the 20th, to 

 meet again on the 15th of November. Mean- 

 time a controversy had sprung up between 

 Governor Palmer and General Sheridan, which 

 attracted attention all over the country. Lieu- 

 tenant-Geneneral P. H. Sheridan was in com- 

 mand of the military Division of the Missouri, 

 and had his headquarters at Chicago. During 

 the excitement occasioned by the fire, he had 

 telegraphed to Omaha, Fort Leavenworth, and 

 other military stations, for supplies and camp- 

 equipage, and also for two companies of troops 

 for temporary service. There was an intense 

 excitement and an apprehension of plunder and 

 disorder throughout the panic-stricken city, 

 and, on the 10th of October, the following cir- 

 cular issued from the temporary headqujters 

 of the mayor : 



" LET US ORGANIZE FOR SAFETY IIT CHICAGO." 



1. The mayor's headquarters will be at the corner 

 of Ann and Washington Streets. 2. Police head- 

 quarters at corner of Union and Madison Streets. 3. 

 Every special policeman will be subject to the orders 

 of the sergeant for the district in which he performs 

 duty. The sergeants of districts will be appointed 

 by the Police Superintendent. 4. Five hundred citi- 

 zens for each of the divisions will be sworn in as 

 special policemen. 5. The sergeant of each district 

 will procure, from police headquarters, rations and 

 supplies for special policemen in his district. 6. Or- 

 ders to the police will be issued by the Superintend- 

 ent of Police. 7. The military will cooperate with 



