“ Over two-thirds of the total product is accredited to Chicago. The value of agricultural implements manufactured is more than three times that of any other State, and Pennsylvania alone exceeds Illinois in the production of cars and other railroad supplies. The manufacture of carriages and wagons is also of great importance; but it is interesting to note that while the production of these vehicles scarcely increased at all during the decade, the production of bicycles and tricycles increased 82.3 per cent. during that decade, and has become almost as important. ”

“ The whole State lies within the great prairie region, and has the physical appearance of a broad plain sloping slightly toward the south and southwest. After Louisiana and Delaware, it is the most level State in the Union. The surface of the plain, however, is not so monotonous as it appears on the map, being broken by minor undulations in a series of low hills and broad hollows. In the extreme northwest there are hills rising to an altitude of more than 800 feet, but the average elevations range from 600 feet in the north to 300 feet in the south. The elevation of Chicago is 582 feet. ”

“ Of the manufactures dependent more wholly upon wood, the most important is furniture, confined almost exclusively to Chicago, while planing-mill products and other lumber and timber products are more generally distributed throughout the State. There are important manufactures depending largely upon agriculture for raw materials. The most important of these are manufactures of liquor, flouring and grist-mill products, glucose, cheese, butter, and condensed milk. About two-thirds of the total manufactures of liquors represent distilled liquors. ”

“ The average number of inmates in the charitable institutions for the two years ending in June, 1900, was 9615. The ordinary expense to the State for the last year was $1,416,000, being an average per capita cost (gross) of: $158.71. The above charitable institutions, together with the county jails and almshouses, and every association receiving dependent, neglected, and delinquent children, are subject to inspection by the State Board of Charities, consisting of five unsalaried members. While the board exercises a great influence its power is merely advisory, and not executive. ”

“ Some of the public lands were still unoccupied when the great German migration to America began, and consequently a large number of Germans found homes within the State, and Chicago has continued to be a German centre. The German born are considerably more than twice as numerous as any other foreign nationality, and constitute over one-third of the total foreign-born population. ”

“ The Governor may veto any bill or any item of an appropriation bill, but his veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each House. The Lieutenant-Governor, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House are in the line of succession in case of a vacancy. ”

“ On the river bluffs in the western part a fine, sandy deposit, called loess, occurs quite commonly, while the bottom lands have a surface of alluvial silt. The soils are remarkably fertile and require little artificial preparation to fit them for the growth of cereals. ”

“ Three Representatives are elected from each of the 51 Senatorial districts. The system of voting for Representatives is intended to secure minority representation; to each voter are allowed three ballots, which he may distribute as he sees fit. ”

“ The average annual rainfall is thirty-eight inches. The soil consists of a rich, warm loam almost free from pebbles, and is mostly of glacial origin. An underlying stratum of hard clay prevents the seepage of moisture. ”

“ The entire slaughtered animal is utilized, and this gives rise to a large number of subsidiary industries, some of which attain a large magnitude in themselves. Thus the value of soap and candles manufactured exceeds $9,000,000, and the products of the tanning, currying, and finishing of leather are almost as important. ”

“ Great inequalities, however, exist throughout the State, due to the inadequacy of local taxes in many of the rural communities, and to lack of centralization. Over 350 schools enroll fewer than 10 pupils each. ”

“ The climate is typically temperate, the mean annual temperature ranging from 47° to 54° F. The winters are somewhat severe owing to the northerly winds, which have an unobstructed sweep over the prairies. ”

“ Lack of funds necessitates short terms and leads to the employment of mediocre teachers. More than one-third of the pupils of the State are enrolled in ungraded schools. The lack of high schools in the rural communities, or any provision for the payment of their tuition in schools outside their district, prevents many from securing the advantages of a secondary education. In 1900 there were 1,588,000 persons between the ages of six and twenty-one. Of these, 958,900 were enrolled in the public schools, the average attendance being 737,576. The per cent. ”

“ The value of the product for Chicago and Joliet in 1900 was respectively $31,461,000 and $13,380,000. The manufactures of foundry and machine-shop products are even greater in value than is the product of iron and steel. ”

“ The coal is bituminous, of Carboniferous age, and is best adapted for steaming. The most productive mines are located in Sangamon, Saint Clair, Vermilion, Macoupin, La Salle, Grundy, Williamson, and Bureau counties. ”