The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-10-09
THAT HIGu-HAsDED OUTRAGE.
Inflammation of a sorrowful Affair.

,tate that the story from beginning 70 emu
8 false and unworthy of the slightest
,redence.
The facts in the case are, that Mr.. Hugh
Conwell, Supervisor Of the Third ward has
been endesyoripg all summer to collect the
regular city road tax from Freeman Decker,
who was assistant superintendent in the
building Of the Government, iron bridge at
this point, and who is II J0nd .ttde resident
Of our city, aud for some time IN the future
expects 10 be. The ordinance under which
the whole case comes, was drawn up by
Messrs. Sweeney g. jackson, and on the 9Th
of July, 1868 was passed by Republican
City Council, and approved and signed by
Mayor Murdoch. 1t provides that every
male resident OF the city between the ages
of twenty one and fifty, except such as are
exempt by the charter, shall labor for three
days in each year on the streets or alleys, or
in lieu thereof, pay seventy.hve cents day
for each days labor so required. 1t further
provides that "any person so liable to labor
on the streets and alleys Of this city, who
shall refuse to perform such labor, or pay in
lieu thereof as aforesaid, shall be liable to
pay to the city Of Rock Island the sum OF
SO, which may be recorered by SAID cay
from such person in The same manner as
provided by ordinance Of said city for the
yecove,y offnes and penalties together pam
costs of suit Proceedings under this or
dinance we've regularly resorted to by Highly,
n year ago, when he was magistrate, and
any man who refused to pay his tax was
dealt with in exactly the same way as was
Decker in this case. When Mr.. Sweeney
was police magistrate, even before any such
an ordinance was in force, he proceeded II
lust the same way as is now especially pro
yided for by law. This is q parallel case
with that of Holmquist, arrested few weeks
ago, and over which our ueighbor raised
such a funeral lameutation. Ii is the only
way in which obstinate and irresponsible
persons can be brought to time, and no law
YER of standing in this city doubts the powe
of magistrate to arrest and imprison a mai
under this law, in Just the same manner tina
he would do in the case Of n fine assessed a
the police court which a prisoner would re
fuse to pay. We cannot see how any on
can dispute the legality Of the proceeding
the law is 80 explicit.
But with its usual disregard for the truth
the Union has misrepresented this alta
throughout in the grossest manner In L
avdity to make little political capital,
. has overdrawn its picture and exposed !
purpose. When Mr.. Conwel first called
| Decker, he did not demand $3.50, as Il
! | Union states. He asked for 1925, Just I
. the law provides. Those acquainted vii
Mr.. Conwell know that he 10 not the XII
Of man to "black.mailn anybody. /
d told Decker however, on his refusing
y pay, that he had better settle the matt
D quietly, as otherwise he would be arreste
IL and that the tax, costs, and all, would pre-
n ably amount to seven or eight dollars
~ didn't know exactly how much. This
in lust what Decker finally admitted, in t
~ presence of Magistrate Chopper and othe
that Mr.. Conwel said. Still Decker ref
hs ed to pay the tax, and did 80 in o very i
pudent and ungentemanly manner. n
= wishing to go to extremes if it could
'r avoided, Mr.. Conwell called to see him
IT, few days afterwards, but he was not
- home. The charge that he used improp
and abusive language to the ladies of
" house is false in every particular. Nothi
" whatever was said to give the slght'
ground for such a statement, and there q
not half dozen men in town who wor
IL believe the story.
es The collectiog of the tax finally pass
ry into the hands of constable Flanagan.
OF last Thursday, at two o'clock, this ottiC
" called at Deckers house with u warrant, a
took him before Magistrate Chopper.
of did not pull him ANONYMOUSLY away fir
20 his smoking hash, as the Union SO eitecti
ly pictures, but took him when he col
not have chosen better time. Decker b
- nothing to do, but whether he had or n
10 we can't exactly see how on officer of
10 law is to be expected to consult the conv'
=" fence of every man he is called upon to
L. rest. On appearing before Magistr'
be Cropper, Decker asked that the case be Pc
"a. poned until four O'clock. This "
n. granted. After the witnesses had been
lv missed, Decker asked that the case
postponed until Friday morning. Mr.. Or
per stated that it would put the witnesses
some trouble, but finally scquiesced. \
long afterwards be learned that Decker b
:. made positive arrangements to go to u
n necticut on visit, and intended to take
Ter ten O'Clock train tina: very night. AT abb
Ia. seven o'clock, as Mr.. Cropper WAS stand
" on the sidewalk Decker came by.
Az Chopper asked him if he would be on Ii,
40. in the morning 80, III be down some ii
to morrow. Us democrats don't want tc
hard on one another" he answered.
Chopper then told him that he would fix
''A time when he should appear, and told
d. that security would be required. Dec
lie was very insolent and walked off to the !
81 office. Mr.. Chopper then called to policer
- Shrader and ordered him to follow and ar
mic Decker. Constable Flanagan soon CT
ing