The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-06
ghe. Daily Argns.
ROCK IsLAND, !. ILLINOIS.
Concluded from second page

:
Concluded from second page.)
certain delegates from this county by in
ducing them to disregard their instruc.
tons, abandon Merriam, and go for Cul-
Eiom.
As is we'll known, Cullon was defeated
aud Col. Merriam, of this county, nomin
ated, but what was the result of tho cleo
ton IN district that two years before had
given Cullem 1900 majority? Merriam
was defeated by 1850 majority, it being
notorious that the Pekin and Springfield
whisky ring and all of Cullom's friends
went solid against Merriam, Why was
this thus?
1.-THE Democratic candidate was elected,
the administration being Republican,
Culiom would control matters in the dis
trlct; but il Merriam should be elected ne
might interfere with Shelby's little az
rangement with the whisky officers and
distillers of the district.
Ii Is we'll known that large number Of
Indictments have been found and are now
pending against whisky thieves ia this dis
trict, yet none of them are brought to trial
Or punishment.
1t was boldly proclaimed in this county
state convention, that if Culom was nom
mated, not one of the Springfield or Pekin
whisky thieves would be tried until after
the election, and such was the result
NOW, OF course, do not state these
things to inlure my old friend Cullom, for
we were boys together, but merely to vim
dicate the truth of history, and to fill up
some OF the missing links in my friend s
biography which, as | said before, his
modesty or defective memory has left out
would like, however, to ask our old friend
few simple QUE stions:
L. Having been ia public life nearly ever
since you arrived at manhood, how did you
acquire the handsome property you own,
taking into consideration the extravagant
manner in which you have lived for the
last 10 years?
3 From what source was the money
derived which was USED in this district to
secure your nomination and election in
1868. and In the attempt to secure your
nomination anu afterward the defeat of
Merriam in 1870?
). For what purpose was a certain sum
OF money taken from the collectors Office
of John L. Harper, in Springfield, during
the congressional convention of 1870, by
your friends, and what was done with the
money? Was it part of the money for
which harper was defaulter2
4. Why did you oppose and prevent the
confirmation of such soldier as Capt.
Williams, postmaster at Pekin, and aid
and assist such civilians as Dave Lift. er
and John Rosette in 1866?
5. Why was it that Al Smith was kept
in the collectors Office from the time 0.
the appointment of Dave Littler to the
time OF Smiths arrest, and why were you
one of the first to go on his bond, and why
| has he Mt been trled2
6. Why did Fl. B. Westerman, the
chief Of the Pekin whisky ring, 60 to
Springfield and work so assiduously for
your nomination, he claiming to be life
long Democrat, and why is every member
LOT the whisky ring and every whisky
gauger. inspector, and person under in
dictment for whisky stealing SO active and
Jealous 10 behalf of your election?
Now Shelby, my old friend, If you will
answer these questions as honestly as you
used to do when We were boys together, "
| may ask few more. and if they should
prove too hard may furnish a friend who
will aid you in that behalf SYNTAx.