authority over them to the test of the Constitution, and I have never willingly submitted to any pretension of any person claiming power to act under the authority of the government of the United States, unless the power claimed was found to have been expressly granted, or was necessarily implied in some grant of power contained in the Federal Constitution. And when the authority sought to be exercised has been claimed under a State, I have as earnestly sought to know that it was not comprehended within some power the people of the State have, by their Constitution, reserved to themselves or forbidden to be exercised by others. I have, at all times, regarded it as amongst my solemn duties to obey the Constitution of the United States, and to aid in defending the government created by that instrument, in the exercise of all its just powers, nor have I felt that my duty to support the Constitution of the United States originated in my official oath to do so.

"My duties to the government of the United States began with my birth, and have never been forgotten nor neglected, and my unalterable purpose to discharge those duties has the support of my judgment and my affections, and I have felt under the most solemn of earthly obligations to obey and defend and support the Constitution and laws of the State of Illinois, and to enforce the laws of the State against all who might offend against them. I need not say that the duty of obeying and defending the laws of the State has the support of my most earnest convictions-for the preservation of the just authority of the States is essential to the perpetuity and usefulness of the government of the United States, and the maintenance of both is essential to that which is more precious than either-the liberties of the people."

The best compliment that can be paid to the administration of Governor Palmer is to say that he alone was responsible for it. While he was not a discreet party man, yet he was a good Governor; he magnified and enlarged the powers and duties of the Executive office, and thereby elevated and dignified its character. Under the Constitution of 1848, the laws had become strained or lax. The necessities of the State in war times had caused the law-makers to overlook, in many instances, the written letter of that instrument, and when

it became necessary to revise the laws under the Constitution of 1870, implicit care was not taken to keep within its limits, and Governor Palmer was kept busy in the discussion of constitutional questions. In a single session he vetoed as many as one hundred and twelve acts on constitutional grounds. It became a by-word with wembers, when a constitutional question was raised against the passage of a bill, to say: "We will not discuss the question here; if there is anything unconstitutional in the bill Governor Palmer will find it out."

Governor Oglesby was inaugurated on the 13th of January, and delivered a brief address, in which he took occasion to discuss, with feeling and freedom, National questions, and pointed with satisfaction to the proud position Illinois occupied in the National Union.

On the 20th of January, Governor Oglesby was elected United States Senator, over Lyman Trumbull, by a vote of 84 to 62, and on the 23d resigned the office of Governor, when Lieutenant-Governor Beveridge became Governor, and Senator Early, who had been elected President pro tempore of the Senate, acting Lieutenant-Governor.

The General Assembly remained in session until May 6, when a recess was taken until January 8, 1874.

The more important acts which were passed by this Assembly and received the approval of the Governor, were as follows: Acts to reorganize agricultural societies; to authorize the Board of Canal Commissioners to construct a dam and lock at or near Copperas Creek; to make appropriation to continue the work on the new State House; to amend an act to provide for the incorporation of cities and villages; to amend the election laws; to amend an act entitled "an act to provide for the incorporation of associations for conducting and maintaining railways;" to amend an act entitled "an

act to regulate public warehouses and the warehousing and inspection of grain," and for the appropriation of moneys necessary to carry on the State Government and its institutions.

CHAPTER XXXI,

STATE CAMPAIGN OF 1874.

The Liberal Republican party ceased as a State or National organization at the close of the campaign of 1872, and on its ruins was formed in this State the Anti-Monopoly party, which met in convention at Springfield, June 10, 1874, and nominated David Gore for Treasurer, and S. M. Etter for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Republican party met in convention at Springfield, June 17, and nominated Thomas S. Ridgway for Treasurer, and Wm. B. Powell for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Democrats, in the meantime, had reorganized, and they met August 26, and nominated Charles Carroll for Treasurer, and S. M. Etter for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

There was little or no general canvass of the State, and the people were left to vote without much direction from party leaders. The nomination of Mr. Etter by the Democrats had given him a clear field against Mr. Powell, the Republican nominee, and the result was that while Mr. Ridgway was elected by a plurality of 34,805 over Mr. Carroll, Mr. Powell was defeated by a plurality of 30,506.

The aggregate vote for State officers and members of Congress, is as follows: