The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1872-12-31

IN press room, business rooms, composing |
rooms, and editorial rooms; and with a
patronage sufficient 70 give premise of
long, and we hope useful life, the proprie-
tors feel not a little pride in the
establishment as the Oldest here, and
as equal to every present need of our
pleasant and growing city, in which It is
one Of the permanent institutions. The
number Of families it sustains, and the
amount Of money it disburses every week
are no insignificant items of consideration
in the city. Once, the senior was COM
PEELED, in order to live, to be editor, book
keeper, collector, roller boy, folder, etc.
As business increased the revenues of the
Office made it possible to employ more
help, but increased his labors though d. I
minishing the number of his duties.
In 1858 Milton Jones becsmea psfe owner |
Of the establishment. Taking charge Oh the
mechanical branch Of the business ne mas
on his superior skill, given 1t a deserved
nopularity for its excellent and correct
work No better mechanic in the printing
business hiss ever resided in Rock Island.
years of patient labor and economy has
brought him a competence, and what is
better still, the respect and friendship OF
all who know him, THE ARGUS Office
would scarcely be recognized by its friends,
without the familiar presence Of Milton
Jones.
In 1870, Mr.. J. 5. Drake, then pr6mi-
uent and influential citizen of Davenport,
and one of the editors of the Democrat
became an owner in the establishment,
bringing TO it first class business abilities
and large increase of patronage The
| three owners are j. B. Danforth, Jr.,
Milton Jones, and j. ). Drake, who are
thoroughly united in interest and purpose,
and who hope, by the favor of a community
which for more than twenty years has
never withdrawn its goodwill or its patron
age, t. keep pace with the PROGRESSES Of
this locality and 10 furnish the people with
everything they need desire in the way of q
6rst class printing establishment II has
always been principle with THE argus
Company 10 expend all surplus accumula
tons from the patronage OF the people IL
improvements upon the establishment, anC
that principle will be adhered to in the
future, u the extent necessary to supply
every reasonable want of the people in the
way of an Independent newspaper, con
troIled by no rings or chques and bound tC
no party beyond what the judgement Of
it's proprietors shall approve. Also Il
make such future improvements and add
TONS 70 its job department as will enable
the Office 70 turn out work which, in variety
and style, stall be equal 10 any other othc,
, in the West, and so that, neither in price
or style shall it be necessary for any enc
t, 90 from home to get work satisfactorily
executed
The ARGUS is an independent liberal
democratic newspaper, bound by no party
ties 10 the support of unworthy men, nol
by party Discipline to any action it may
deem uuwise or impolitic, or contrary I.
-he advancement of the true interests o.
Rock Island and the people generally. i
has always enjoyed a living support from
the patronage Of the people generally
custom that comes to us in the legitiluat,
prosecution Of our business, and we secI
none other. The proprietors viii neve
exchange the right to speak their free AM
untrammeled opinion, for the place Of
party hack, paid by official patronage, o
2 Jobs from those in power. THE ARGU
d has lived and hourished through the pas
. twenty years Of our city's history, with0u
2 patronage of any kind other than that vo
y unfairly bestowed by the people. and fC
Z which it has endeavored, at all times I
o give an equivalent Being dependent upo
r no one or two persons, or upon any force
r party patronage for support it will be FIRE
h to combat error wherever found-whethe
o among its own party friends or its oppol
e ents
o We have u decided pride in Rock Is
e and, an affectiOnate regard for the peopl
] and the place Whatever adds TO it
y prosperity adds something to our owl
t. Whatever effects the honor and fame q
:, our people has also its proportionate inAU
It ence or effect upon us To defend, 10 til
I best Of our ability, the honor an
+ interests of our people to uphol
t and encourage every laudable effol
( in the way Of progress; to cherish OF
c institutions and help them to prosper
a to censure when censure seems nece.
e sary; to be always the friend of tn
r masses in every struggle they may max
. to better their condition TO open our CO
p Hmns, always, to their wants, and TO striv
}. for equality of rights and privileges for al
e is the mission of THE ARGUS. We al
J. here to stay; to bear our share Of I'll
e burdens of the City, and we hope, to II
s joice in our share of its prosperity An
e we hope also to build up here such an e
= Enlistment as viii long survive our feeb
Is efforts, and that THE ARGUS will live an
IT flourish long years after our work on cart
re shall have been finished We hope to
y live and labor, that those who survive
d may say our efforts for the good of OIL
is people have not been wholly fruitless