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RAILROAD EARNINGS, EXPENSES, AND DIVIDENDS. 1065

their perpetuity, but also for the earning of reasonable dividends for the stock-holders who have advanced the funds for their construction, equipment, and maintenance, and that these interests can be mutually regulated for the benefit of all by the supervision of the State.

As remarked in the report of the board for 1877, "the public is not only entitled to service without unjust discrimination and at reasonable rates, but is entitled to ample accommodations and facilities for the transportation of their property on these highways, and also to have their persons transported in comfort and safety. They are entitled to good, safe, and comfortable coaches, good, sound, and safe road-beds, bridges, and culverts; skilful, careful, and safe engineers, and careful conductors, brakemen, and trackmen. All of these are of as much importance as low freight or low passenger fares. These all cost money, and must be provided for out of the earnings of the railroads before dividends shall be paid to the owners, and before sweeping reductions of maximum rates can be reasonably demanded."

The table on the following pages is compiled from the "Report of the Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners for 1890." It may be added that the report farther shows that the total earnings and income of the operating roads in Illinois for the past four years, with the amount of operating expenses, is as follows:

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$33,010, 187

1889

$63,170,096

$39,292,024

65,471,494 40,059, 894

1887 $56,860, 287
1888 61,333,515 38,870,930 1890

Eleven operating roads paid dividends in 1889 amounting to $16,978,464, and twelve in 1890, amounting to $19,127,823, as

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The following leased or subsidiary lines also paid dividends: Joliet-&-Chicago, 7%; Miss.-R. Bridge, 7%; Chicago-&-West.Ind., 3%; Peoria-&-B.-V., 10 %; Joliet-&-N.-Ind., 8%; P.,-Ft. W.-&-C., 7%; and Belleville-&-S.-Ill., 71⁄4 %·

NAMES OF OPERATING RAILROADS, WITH THEIR MILEAGE, AMOUNT OF STOCK, INCOME, TAXES, NET INCOME, AND NET DEFICIT (FRACTIONS OMITTED):

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June 30, 1890.

RAILROAD STATISTICS.

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Totals..

$847,488,296 $920,683,061 |$98,081,368 | $8,467,080 |$29,591,581 | $1,384, 172

CHAPTER LIII

The Religious Denominations in Illinois-Their Classi

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fication, Growth, and Strength-Secret Benevolent Societies, Masons, Odd-Fellows-Knights Templars -Knights of Pythias.

LLINOIS is not peculiar in constitutional guarantees of religious freedom; the same rights having been preserved in all the states. The article on that subject in the first constitution was almost literally copied in the second, and with some slight modifications was incorporated in the present instrument. It is as follows: "Sec. 3. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be guaranteed; and no person shall be denied any civil or political right, privilege, or capacity, on account of his religious opinions; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State. No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry or place of worship against his consent, nor shall any preference be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship."

As will be seen by the following tables, the principal churches in this State have kept pace in their growth with the increase of population. Whether there has been a corresponding spiritual growth, is another question, an answer to which the figures do not disclose. The changes which time has wrought in the habits and manners of the people, have not been without their effect upon religion. These are seen in the largely-increased cost of church buildings; the great improvements made in church architecture; the immense value of property; and the large amount of yearly contributions. But while the days of simplicity in worship, attire, and communication have passed away, it is a gratifying fact that the old-time asperities, controversies, and jealousies between different denominations have also, in a great measure, ceased to exist. This result has been largely brought about by a general union in Sunday - school work. Here in county and state conventions, all have found a

METHODIST-EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

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common ground for religious effort. And with increasing knowledge, and freedom of intercourse, have come more liberal interpretations and broader views.

The Methodist-Episcopal Church, although younger in years than the Congregationalist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and other denominations, is the most numerous protestant organization in the United States or in this State.

The first one of this denomination organized ir. the United States was in John Street, New-York City, in 1768. Francis Asbury, afterward the first American bishop, came to this country by direction of John Wesley in 1771. He was the great leader of this church in the United States for forty-five years.

The first Methodist preacher who came to Illinois, while it was yet a part of the Northwest Territory, was Joseph Lillard, who formed a class of which Capt. Joseph Ogle was the leader in 1793. Rev. Hosea Riggs was the first local preacher, who settled in the American Bottom in 1796.* In 1803, the Illinois mission was formed, of which Rev. Benjamin Young of Kentucky was the preacher; and the following year, it was made a part of the Cumberland, Tennessee, circuit. Dr. Joseph Oglesby was the preacher on this circuit in 1804-5, who was followed by Rev. Charles R. Matheny.

The early western conferences were presided over by Bishop William McKendree. By 1820, Illinois had seven circuits, which had increased to twenty-eight in 1830, with a membership numbering 10,318.+ Rev. Jesse Walker visited Chicago as a presiding elder, and probably preached there the first Methodist sermon in 1826. The first society of this name in that city was organized in June, 1831, by Rev. Stephen R. Beggs-who is still (1891) living. In 1835, there were 61 circuits in Illinois, 369 ministers, and 15,097 members.‡

Among leading and well-known preachers in Central Illinois, contemporary with Peter Cartwright and succeeding him in the work, were Peter Akers, George Rutledge, W. D. R. Trotter, James Leaton, I. C. Kimber, W. S. Prentice, Wm. J. Rutledge, Hiram Buck, and William F. Short-the last three of whom still survive.

Reynold's "Pioneer History of Illinois," 260. + Rev. James Leaton's "Methodism in Illinois."

Rev. John M. Peck.

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