The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-03-04
MAYOR.
THE CITY ELECTION.

THE CITY ELECTION.
It is better to laugh than cry-and we
done our share of it, around among the boys,
last night. What's the use of whining about
split milk To be sure, it is a little bit pro-
voking to know that democrats beat them
selves-but never mind that; we have no
fault to find with anybody they'll all go TO-
gether next time.
There was no excitement yesterday about
the election-the only feeling was one Of
perfect Indifference. Many democrats did
not feel enough interest in it to go to the
polls. Less than twothirds of the democrats
in Rock Island voted-and probably more
than hundred of the democrats who did
vote voted the radical ticket. Look at the
figures: The registry books show that 1902
voters are registered, and probably there are
at least 200 voters in the city who are not
registered, making 800 voters in the city.
How many votes were cast yesterday? Only
l,06l. How many last year? l,lS3. One
hundred and two less votes cast this year
than last year. The fact is that but little
over two-thirds of the people voted at all
yesterday-certainly not over two-thirds Of
of the democrats
There are various reasons for this indif
ference on the part of some, and for voting
the radical ticket ~ others--the chief of
which is a desire to see ne,0 men an office
,,,to Il,
but it is desire to see the good old demo
cratic principle of rotation in office carried
ont by democrats-to see frequent changes
and give all fair chance at the offices. And
if those who make nominations fail to recog
nize this principle, there can always be found
enough democrats who will right the wrong
by either voting the radical ticket, just once
or staying at home thus administering a re
buke to those who manage the caucusses and
conventions. Of course there are other rea
sons actuating some, but this is the chic
one.
Then, again, party which has held power
for so many years in q city could hardly ex.
pect to have pleased all its mem bers, who
wanted office, or labor, or favors, and those
who have been disappointed in this direc
ton sometimes care less for party success
than they do for having revenge at the bal
lot box.
We fought the best battle we knew how
in the ARGUS, on political grounds, striving
to show democrats the importance of main
tanning their prestige and preventing a radi
cal shout OF victory over their party. The
mass of the party felt its Importance and
acted upon it.
The radicals said not one word about mol
| tiles, but fought the battle solely on person
alitles and local issues. They were out Of
power and had nothing to do but find faul
with the ins, publish the most enormou.
faisehoods, and, when they we've proven false
| refuse to correct them because they wanted
their followers to continue to repeat then
until after election.
| That was the style of the contest, ant
democrats, either by voting the radica
ucket, or by neglecting to vote at all, have
placed the radicals in power for one year
Now let US see how they viii use theil
power.
They have promised every office-seeker an
office, and some must be cheated. Who vii
| it be }?
They have promised the temperance mer
to raise the saloon licenses to $500. and the,
have promised the saloon keepers to reduc,
their licenses to $50. Who is to be cheated
They have promised the church-goins
people that all saloons shall be closed ever,
Saturday evening and kept closed on Sun
days and Sunday nights. And they hav,
promised the saloon keepers liberty to keel
open every day and night in the week. VIII,
is to be cheated9
They have promised large increase o
gas posts, at various corners, in order to ge
votes. And they have promised to reduce
the price of gas. Will they be able to d.
! it?
lney have promised vast increase il
Improvements and no increase of taxes
Can they fulfill these promises?
They have promised reduction of sala
RES and expenses. Let us see if their prom
Uses will be kept.
They have promised all laborers plenty o.
work. Will the laborers get it?
They have promised to widen the Camder
road and open new thoroughfares. Will