The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-06-09
Snow LIorssrs-Tbe article il the Union

SHOW LIcENsEs-The article in the Union
this morning in reference to Frank Conwsy's
official conduct in COLLECTING license from
the Moline concertizers, illustrates, not only
the animus of their little comments on little
things, but that of the whole radical press
on public affairs. No law, according to
rsdicalsm, is general in it's sense and spph-
cations. 1t can be violated along with the
oath of sworn officials whenever 1t Is conven-
lent to do il. The constitution ia a nudity,
as is every law that is a restraint upon rsdi.
/ cal party power or bears with special weight
on any individual member of said party. We
only allude to this political phase ofthe case
to show that the Union, if it commented at
all. could not avoid tie well worn party
groove, from the highest subject to the low
est. Section /. Of the ordinance regulating
shows aud public exhibitions reeds as io''o"e,
SEC. BE it ordained by ne cay o0a''''
of the Citg Of Rock ISfana' mat
il sbau not be lawful for any
person or person, to own, conduct or manage
for gain within the city, any theater, circus,
caravan, exhibition, show or amusement or
exhibit any natural or artificial curiosities,
panoramic show or device of any kind or
give any concert or other musical entertain
ment without a license Propided, that for
musical parties or concerts and exhibitions
of paintings or statuary giren or made By
citizens Of uis city 10 license shall be re,
quired."
There is the law, unrepealed on the
statutes, exemptlng no person, no kind of
entertainment whatever, except II be one
given BY citizens OF and within the corpor-
ate limits of Rock Island Yet the Union
ssgely counsels J. Frank Conway, sworn
officer of Rock Island, to violate his
official oath, and remit the license of Moline
people by reason OF their contiguity. What
matter if they live near or far, the law OBJ.
tains in every such instance. The Union
then treats the subject logically as fol-
loweth
Ashamed for the reputation of the city at
this llhoersl and contemplate demand, the
Messrs. Dart paid the bill of So, and the
clerk left Such petty business Is looked
upon IS a singing reproach to the city by
ali fair minded men.
This ''illiberal and contemplate demaud"
is one that Mr.. Conwsy was compelled by
law to make Section of the same ordi-
nance reads as follows:
'lf any person or persons should fail or
refuse to comply with the provisions of this
ordinance, or should violate. or aid ami
assist IN violating any OF lis provisions he
or they shall be subject TO a hne of moi, less
than twenty FIVE dollars, nor more than one
hundred dollars, a. the discretion of the
court
Now the Union would fam see Frank
Conway violate his oath. and subject himself
TO be fined mot less than twenty FIVE dollars
nor more than one hundred dollars" for the
mere qualification OF his little whim. and tor
the sake OF relieving his Moline chums from
the expenditure of paltry sum. Why did
not the editor of the Union, or some Of the
fair minded men prevent the singing
reprosch to the city BY putting their own
hands into their pockets, paying the
six dollars and saying nothing about It
The fair minded men who deem it d
Swinging reproach" fer city officer 10 do
his duty, are either fools or have very little
regard for laws regularly enacted and in full
force. The comments Of the Union 90 city
affairs are usually characterized by pi,iful
ignorance OF the subject, but this would
seem to argue either ipfsntile folly or di
rect attempt at Misrepresentation In either
case IT passes for the current value only of
thoah