The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-15
Aids to Good Government.


In the interest Of the people and as an
aid to good government The ARGUS is do
ing good deal to help our new mayor
properly perform his duties. That official
commenced to run his administration SOLE
ly with reference to the feelings and wishes
of himself and of his immediate friends,
and with no very we'll defined ideas that
the CITY charter, and ordinances enacted
under its authority, were of any particular
consequence or were to be regarded when
in conflict with the wishes Of himself and
his small coterie of personal friends. Meet
ing with some stubborn and solid opposi-
ton in regard to some of his appointments
he concluded that, without the advice or
consent of the council, he would, by his
own vote. confirm his own nominee. The
ARGUS showed him his error in that res
pect and he promptly corrected it by ignor-
ing past action aud commencing anew.
This was right. 1t showed willingness
on the part of the new mayor to learn
and THE ARGUS cordially praised him for
so good an intention.
During the past year THE ARGUS made
an occasional effort to aid our new mayor
(who was then an alderman) and show
him the proper course to pursue but he
exhibited such remarkable wrong-headed-
ness, and, having then a majority in the
council to sustain him. but little was ac-
complished in teaching him. This year
better success has followed our efforts.
But we fear that it will require more
time and space than we can spare to keep
him on the right tack, as mayor, for he
exhibits such persistency in steering his
vessel wrong, and is in hourly danger of
capsizing. Still, he comes down" with
much greater alacrity with a Democratic
council looking him in the face than when
he has subservient majority at his back.
And it gives US pleasure again to praise
him for admitting that it was through
ignorance that he attempted to usurp the
Office of treasurer. To be sure, some ILL
natured people might say that it is strange
that man who has been an active alder
man for two years past, and chairman Of
the finance committee, should not know the
provisions of the law in relation to city
money. But he said he was ignorant of
the law, and we are bound to believe the
statement. The Gazette report puts it as
| follows:
The mayor said that he never before
knew that such an ordinance existed, and
all blame should attach to him, as it was
by his direction that the clerk had for the
past few weeks retained the moneys re
ceived by him.
And the personal organ of the mayor, in
this city, said:
THE mayor promptly assumed the
responsibility, and stated his reasons fol
doing so. He was unaware that he wa:
violating the provisions of on ordinance, OF
he would not have done so.
1t gives US real pleasure to see ou
contemporaries so frank and truthful, an(
to see our new mayor willing to learn
We shall continue to give him advice in
friendly way and in the interest of ths
people, whose servant he is.
| The Union says:
1T seems to US that it is high time tina
the matter of the city treasurershiI
should be settled Some arrangement
should be made whereby the revenues cal
flow into their proper channels"
There is nothing to settle about it. eA
cept for the mayor and the clerk to ODE
they law which they have sworn tina
: they will obey, and then 'the revenue
can flow into their proper channels" An
when they are ignorant in the law it wi
afford the Democrats great pleasure t
: instruct them in that respect.