The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-09-29
The Argus and the Independent Can
didafas

rial management Of The ARGUS, we take
occasion to state through our present issue
that The ARGUS speaks for itself.
1t is not the organ of any one individual,
nor run in the interest of any particular
candidate. When The ARGUS proclaims
its support of the independent candidates,
the friends of these candidates can rely
upon its good faitk and impartiality.
Whenever THE ARGUS determines no
longer to support any particular individual
it will say so plainly, and withdraw that
persons name from the list of those whom
it favors. Just here let us say word or
two in regard to the position of THE AR
GUS towards Mr.. Blanding, one Of the in
dependent candidates.
During the editors summer vacation,
and while absent from the city, Mr.. Bland
ing had charge of the editorship of THE
ARGUS. Upon his return Mr.. Banding
retired. This took place fully two weeks
before he announced himself candidate
for county judge, and since that time he
has had no connection editorially or other
wise with this paper, has had nothing to
do with what has since appeared in its
columns, and is not responsible for the
tone of the paper, for its reading matter,
or its course-much less has he dictated
its policy.
Mr.. Blanding edited this paper Just four
weeks-no longer. He edited it to our en-.
tire satisfaction while he had the matter in
charge. Since then his connection with
the paper has totally ceased, and he has in
no way managed or shaped its policy, its
language, its articles, or its relations tc
the public.
Each and every one Of the other candi
dates is equally as free and as distinctly
disconnected with the paper as he is and
has been. The personal friends OF all are
treated with equal impartiality and tail
dealing. Our columns show that we have
not advocated the claims of one at the ex
pense of another, that we have not ia
vOred one more than another, and what
ever We have said of the nominees of the
republican party, or Of the workingmen'
party, mas been the sayings, doings, anc
sentiments of THE ARGUS itself, without
dictation, inspiration, control, or response
bility of any candidate or person whomso
ever.
Whatever of credit or demerit may at
tach to The ARGUS, its politics. or its bus
mess affairs, belongs to THE ARGUS itsel
and not to any outside management. TIL
ARGUS speaks for itself, for democratic
principles, for justice and fair play; it J!
not an organ for any one persons specla
benefit: it has no pets, no Sub-editors, ne
specials, and no favorite candidates; TIL
ARGUS itself is wholly responsible for al
it contains, and not outsiders, whether
candidates or otherwise.
In the present contest we decidedly anC
unequivocally support the Independent
ticket but we want it distinctly understood
that neither up to this time, nor for tn,
future, has. or will any of the candidate
!. dictate to this paper in any particular
this is IN accordance with long establish
ed principle of this paper, that no one VIII
, is a candidate for Office shall have an
5 connection with the editorial management
, because we claim the position and havt
e always insisted upon the right to freel
e criticise the acts and opinions Of al
t candidates whether of our own party 0
any other.
So far as we know, or have any reason
to believe, none of the candidates hav
y done any thing of the kind, but allegation
= to shat effect have been banded aroun
n the streets and have been attempted to b
5 used to the disadvantage of some Of tn
, candidates. We desire, once for all, t
/. let the public understand that candidate
don't run THE ARGUS, it speaks for itsel
'. We write thus at length to correct a
impression sought to be made IN certai
, quarters that Mr.. Blandirg was a part
5 to, and responsible for, the position of til
e paper upon the labor question and Ii
:; formation of the workingmen's party, an
= also for the policy of this paper 10 regar
to the candidates Of that and other partit
now 10 the field. We desire to say III
= quaIifedly that the position and policy
IS THE ARGUS 10 regard to the workingmen
e party was taken without consulting wit
It or asking the opinion or advice of NJ
q Banding, or any other of the independer
n candidates: and our subsequent cours
e has been in like manner entirely our ow
ir without seeking or recognizing the
? personal opinions or views. The cours
1t which THE ARGUS adopted we believe W;
IS right-we are alone responsible for it
b. and we defy the Union, or the workinG
b men, or any other party, to successful
contrOvert that position. At all even
the course of The ARGUS has been adopte
and pursued as its own, and not as thu
IT of any one else, and it is entirely Statistic
I with the record it has made.
q Our criticisms of the workingmen'
t, party, and of the republican party, an
n our remarks in regard to the candidate
I of all parties, have been entirely our owl
and not the instigation or suggestions
# candidates or anybody else While W
Il intend to be courteous and fair toward al
and cordially support the independer
% ticket. we are not accustomed to aIlo
y candidates to dictate our policy or pr