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Centnnial Memorial Of The First Baptist Church Of Hartford, Conneticut, March 23rd And 24th, 1890.
Centnnial Memorial Of The First Baptist Church Of Hartford Conneticut March 23rd And 24th 1890 Author:Various PREFACE T0 WRITE the history of recent events is at no time an easy task. But when this history concerns the devclopment of a growing, dynamic body like the people of Illinois, the attempt to portray their manifold activities and constant re-adjustments becomes doubly dificult. This volume seeks to trace the main lines of economic, political, an... more »d social development during the past quarter century, and to indicate the measure of progress which the people of this state have achieved in these departments of human endeavor. After all is said it is a record of which any state might well be proud. Progress has been particularly marked in all lines of economic activity. The growth of population and of wealth, the steadily augmenting output of farm and factory and mine, the expansion of railway and other transportation facilities, and the improvements in agriculture, manufactures, banking, and commerce, all bear witness to the energy and successful achievements of the people. But the story is by no means confined to material improvement. With the growth in wealth has come an increasing application of that wealth and the interests of the people to the advancement of culture, of art, and of learning. And with the growth in leisure has come better understanding of political problems and a determination to solve them. During the last quarter of a century political development in the direction of better and more efficient government has been slow but steady. This growth has been especially noticeable in connection with the introduction of the merit system of appointment to the civil service and the reorganization of the principal administrative services on a more integrated and systematic basis. The increasing power of the governor over both IegisIation and administration is also noteworthy. Political progress in a democracy rests at bottom upon the education and practical experience of the mass of the voters in governmental affairs. The increasing interest and participation of the people in political activities is, therefore, a healthy sign and indicatcs that the politics salvation of the state is, in spite of ups and downs, being worked out. The author of the chapters on economic development wishes to make acknowIedgment for valuable assistance rendered him in the preparation of this volume. Preliminary studies were made on different topics by the following persons working as research assistants for the Illinois Historical Survey or for thc Centennial Commission agriculture, George H...« less