The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-08-01
More Of tho Contractor. Troubles.

SECOND une AT bushnell, We nave ohiy "
copy the following:
Minus SHIRT.-Thursday last large
number of hands from Swan Greek were III
our city for the purpose, we suppose o,
Messing the trial of Saulpaugh; out mr
waived examination, and gave bail Tor ms
appearance at the next term OF the Clrcni'
Court, his bail being fixed at io,ooo. In
the afternoon the Swedes conceived the ides
of taxing the gentleman in hand themselves.
Not being acquainted with him, they hardly
k,aw how to proceed. Presently man
drove by in buggy whom they took for
Saulpaugh, and accordingly went tor hum
pulled him out of the vehicle, and comPie.ee
Iy tore the shirt from off his back, anu ~
hard to tell what would have oecoine %
poor fellow if some men nao no. TLa
and informed them of their nis'"A
man was released, ana went on .,Ta
no ,nan,sIly, that song entitled. The
E s,nf That Looks Like Me "-BushneI
Record.
WE have q word or two to sGy in refer>
ence to this whole matter and in reference
to the article upon this subject in Saturdays
ARGUS. 1t would seem that there should
be some power in the state TO oblige Rail
road companies to deal squarely with con-
tractors and make contractors deal squsrely
with their men. No case is supposable
where mob violence is iustifable. Let en-
example be made In few instances and it
will have wholesome effect on both parties.
If irresponsible contractors are employed BY
the company or if men take contracts for
less amount shsh the work can he done
and fail to pay in full, then the company
should retain the money or be held respon
sible for the paw of the workmen. And if
any lawless set of men attempt to collect
their money by violence they should be
severely dealt with according to the law
| 1t is An acknowledged fact that there is
more or less OF sharp practice and downright
swindling in the building of railroads, and,
as general thing, innocent parties are
made 10 suffer; but there IS no excuse for
them to resort to mob violence, as long as
there are courts to adjust such difficulties
| In most cases the innocent parties are made
to suffer, as is shown in the above extract,
and where the contractor himself is caught,
If be is guilty OF swiudiing, the company
reserves a certain per cent on his estimates
and, if they have employed a swindler, they
should, 10 such instances, step IN and &C.
Just the difficulty. Neither are they justified
in instigating or assisting prosecuting
sub-contractors in taking such
contractors into the midst of exssperated
men. where there is any certainty or probs'
bilitv that they Will he subject to mob VIC
lence. Now, in this matter, there Was 81
impression that they were taking the men
where they would BE- subjected to violence IL
case the workmen got hold Of them, and OF
this basis we undertake 10 say that 1t is uC
more than Just that they should be criticised
and severely denounced. provided suci
were the facts, and the contractors were will
ing the matter should be ad Hustled before th'
proper authorities. Such was the universal
sentiment OF the people, and there was ais'
a strong feeling against the railroad com
peny for the part it was supposed TO have
taken ia Sha matter, and with thi,
understanding even the railroad shoulC
have been more severely criticised. II
doing this, We criticised the men it usec
In and Merrill Mr.. Merrill feels himsel
agcrieved, aud thinks his character has beer
damaged 1t was not our purpose. and Il
not, in any case, TO in ure him, or any one
BY unjust criticism. He informs us tbs
neither he nor the railroad company desired
to take Mr. 8ulpauQh or any one elst
where they would be in danger from exas
perEted men, and that he had no connectio,
whatever with the arrest only so far II
bring the warrant to this place at the reques
Of the sheriff; that he did not go to Bushnel
e with them, neither did he know what wa
being done there, and, had he thought Their
was ang danger there, would have adviset
him not TO go. Such being the case, "
cneerfnlIy exculpate Mr.. Merrill frem ar
c unjust censGre in the matter, and are cIs
to know that he can appear in this ligh
s before his own citizens
We further learn that there was deIega
ton of Swan Creek lsborers at bushnell
: who wanted Mr.. Saul paugh delivered up t
+ them, but the officers refused to sccede t
f their demand.
No one for q moment questions the RICH
. of the men to get their just dues-tbe onl
question Is, they shall do it according t
law. If the contractors have been guilty 0
: swindling, as charged, they should be mad
to answer before the courts, and be made t
do the square thing.
; MARRIAGE LICENSES N othing daunte
5 at the cheated term" candidates for coniu
5 gal happiness still continue their application
: for the necessary papers. We give belo,
t the licenses granted during the mouth q
Iu1r.