Illinois is a good example of the truth of the generalizations at the beginning of the preceding paragraph. The state is very long and reaches far to the south. The southern part of the state was settled first, and almost pure county government prevailed. By and by the northern part began to settle, and it grew in population faster than the southern part. The town was introduced, and now prevails in all but a few counties.
Can you see the relation of these facts to the generalization? Can you tell where the people of the two sections of the state came from?
PART II.
THE STATE.
CHAPTER IX.
WHY WE HAVE STATES.
1. Historical reason. We have states now because we had such organizations at the time this government was established. The colonies, founded at different times, under different auspices, by people differing in religion, politics, and material interests, remained largely independent of each other during colonial times, and on separating from England became independent states.
2. Geographical reason. Different climatic and topographic conditions give rise to different industries, and therefore necessitate different regulations or laws.
3. Theoretical reason. The theory of our government is that of decentralization of power.[Footnote: There being a constant tendency to centralization, this thought should be emphasized. See Nordhoff's Politics for Young Americans. (71)] That is, we think it best to keep power as near as possible to the people. If a certain work can be accomplished fairly by individual enterprise, we prefer that it be done so rather than through any governmental agency. If work can be done by the town just as well as by the county, we assign it to the town. And as between the state and the general government, we assign no duty to the latter which can be performed as well by the former.
4. Practical reasons. There are many practical reasons. Among them may be mentioned the following: