The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-04

personal influence. The government ,
works at that point. upon which the pros
perity Of the place largely depends, ought
to be maintained and improved. Congress-
men, the new MEMBERS
know little Of the wisdom and fore
thought involved in the establishment and
maintenance of the arsenal at that point,
The congressman from the district ought |
to be able to point them out-should have |
the force in himself that would impress
others with the Importance of the work. |
Mr. Henderson has failed from lack oftact,
to get passed the necessary apr OPERATIONS.
To the people of Rock Island he is some
thing between hindrance and help.
While in congress he has not dropped
a phrase or introduced a measure that
would raise him above the level of his
numbered bench. 1t is the seat he
occupies that gives him importance
This district ought to have in con.
gress more servicable man. If in
accord with the party in power in con-
gress, he could be Of more service to the
people of Rock Island, and of the entire
district He should be man of acknowl-
edged qualifications and force of charac-
ter, 1t has been the policy Of the Re-
elect to positions of power, mere nobodies
men whom they can use as tools for the
accomplishment Of their own purposes
policy that conflicts with the interests of
the public. If the Democrats nominate
the proper person, can he be elected? No
matter whom he may be, the politicians
the men who hold positions under Hender-
son-will oppose him, 1t is to their in
! A. I,,6 ho &C
Rock Island and of the district-those
who have to work for liying-will they
help themselves by helping to bring about
a change? The proprietors of manufacto-
ries know what it is to suffer from congress.
sional incapacity. Will they be more
willing to maintain Mr.. Henderson and
his political gang than to guard their own
interests. We have no candidate to name.
The Democrats may nominate stronger,
aud they may nominate weaker
man than Henderson. We do not prom
Use to support their candidate in advance
Of his nomination. We will not defend in
our party what we condemn in another.
But the way to reduce and overcome the
Republican majority in the district is not
because success is not poSitivel to nomi-
nate every trifler who wants the position
for the sake Of notoriety rather, it is to
espoIse none but sound principles and to
nominate none but worthy and capable men.
The st. Louis convention has nobly pro
nounced the principles Of the Democratic
party-they are in combat with the practi.
ces of the party in power, but in perfect ac.
cord with the will aud purposes Of the people,
and it now only remains fer the people OF
this district to place upon that platform g
candidate qualified by nature and training
for the position, whose ability is not il
doubt, whose life is synonym of success
and whose practices do not vitiate every
profession of reform. With such a candi
I I date, we deserve and can secure success
without, defeat is merited and wholesome
At the presidential election in 1865 tht
counties now composing this district gave
q ,935 Republican majority; in 1872, 800,
majority. and at the last congressional elec
ton (lS74) 3,1lO majority. This shows
gain OF ,O27 in 1872 and Of >, 1913 in 1874
Three thousand one hundred and ten ma
jority CLIO out of a total vote of l5,66S
at a time when Henderson was not known
=; and when our candidate ELLIOTT did no
I make strong canvass and was opposed b,
!. large element in his own county, ar
n not figures to discourage. There was
; gain at that time OF 2,I9S. On the sam
4 basis, change in $50 votes in the fv
C counties Ia little over three hundred i
u each county, would secure the defeat c
Henderson. he was replaced by a bette
and stronger man. Republicans with Den
ocrats would rejoice.
!. THE ARGUS noes not coincide with IL
a a Sun in saying that Gen. Elliott did NJ
& make strong canvass" He reduced tt
d Republican majority from 5,90S to 3,llO,
.s gain Of ., 79S and this is what may
St, called a good canvass. We hope M
ar may be found this year to do as well
rs Gen. Elliot did two years ago.
eft The balance of the article from the S,
We commend to the careful considerable
le Of all our readers.
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