People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1895 — ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE., [ARTICLE]

ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE.,

Chicago Merchant Brought Before the Senate for Contempt. Springfield, 111., May I.—The unique spectacle of a citizen on trial for contempt before the state senate for refusing to gossip about his private affairs with a parcel of legislators wa» presented in the capitol this morning. Frank H. Cooper, vice-president of Siegel, Cooper & Co. of Chicago, appeared before the bar of the senate to explain why he declined to answer the questions put to him' by Senator Salomon's department store investigating committee. For over an hour he posed as a prisoner at the bar, while the senate wrangled over the question of whether or not he should be sent to Jail for contempt. The senate adjourned without taking final action, although the events of the session plainly indicate that Mr. Cooper will emerge from the strange fight victorious. Members of the senate were in a bad humor. A number of special orders were on the calendar, and the custom has been to call up bills out of the regular order and advance them. Senator O’Brien, after the reading of the Journal, asked unanimous consent to call up Crawford’s bill converting Thirtyfifty street, from Grand boulevard to Michigan avenue, in Chicago, into a thoroughfare. Mr. Campbell of Hamilton objected, and as the senate was working under a suspension of rules, bpeclal orders being on the calendar, the rules cpuld not be again suspended. The senate proceeded with special orders. Before the calendar was cleared, however, Mr. Campbell withdrew his objections to Crawford’s bill, and it was advanced to the order of third reading. Mr. Aspinwall’s pool selling bill was postponed for a week at his request. Mr. Bogardus’ bill providing for treatment of habitual drunkards was advanced to third reading. The house passed tv-r -<enate bills introduced by Senator iwford, regulating elevated and street railroads. Representative Berry from committee on rules reported back the senate joint resolution that when the general assembly adjourns May 3 it stand adjourned Bine die, with an amendment changing the date to May 24. The amendment was lost and the resolution was recommitted to the committee on rulc3. Duke of Orleans Very 111. Seville, May I.—The condition of the Duke of Orleans, who broke his leg on' Friday last while out hunting, Is serious. A slight attack of pneumonia la complicating matters.