The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-06-12
OH Daily Argns,
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/ lConcluded from second page.
tended to have an opinion and to express
it freely in regard to all matters appertain-
ing to the moral welfare and prosperity of
the town. and at once / took a decided
stand 10 the temperance cause. At that
time there was no liquor sold lawfully in
Moline, excepting for medicinal purposes.
But the liquor interest was beginning to
| clamor tor license and whatever weight [
could muster was thrown upon the tenn
perance side OF the scale that then seemed
trembling 10 the balance. And whilst the
Motlae Workman existed no license was
ever granted. That it might not have
been the same without the paper | do not
say, but L anl happy to believe that it
aided IN keeping public sentiment I'D to
the mark and sufficiently alert to prevent
or TO punish violations of the law. There
aoefe snakes, of course, but they crept very
Fsiyly indeed
The Workman, as | said was neutral 10
politics-that is for a time. But /
naturally chafed under the restraint, and
the abrogation Of the Missouri compromise
under the leadership of Douglas. threw it
into the field Believing that the south
was absolutely resolved to rule or ruin the
nation, | felt that the time had arrived
when every man should take his stand.
and Itook mine. The Workman sup
ported Fremont during the ensuing presi-
dental campaign, and I had the pleasure
of seeing Moline vote in a proportion
greater than three to one, if my memory
be correct, Tor the Republican ticket. You
and L, friend Danforth, were on opposite
sides, both of US were outspoken in our
convictions, but am happy to remember
that not one word even appeared between
US, In our respective papers. which was ia
violation OF the comfy due between gentle
men. The Rock ISLAND ARGUS, [ re
member, gave the Workman kind and
friendly notice upon it's first establishment,
the hrst the paper ever received from any
source.
But incessant labor told upon my already
feeble health. Compelled to do a full
days work in the printing office, and per-
form the multifarious labors incident to
business manager and editor at snatches
OF time, my strength gave way. That the
paper may have been very imperfect [ am
well aware; that it was not more SO might
perhaps have been wonder to any one
who could have realized my bodily suffer-
lngs at this time. and at length | reluct-
antly acknowledged the absolute necessity
of relinquishing the business. A few
months before doing SO admitted young
man named James Z. Webb, as Joint pub
Usher, thinking to ease my own labor by
putting him IN charge of the office; but he
never put any money in the concern and
the partnership was nominal one only.
The paper was also published tri-weekly
tor short time, Information came to me-
that certain parties, offended by the course
OF the paper in the temperance cause, were
contemplating theissue of small semi
weekly from the Franklin Job Office"
and the Irt Weekly WorKa1aan was inst,tu
ted to forestall their effort. l was well
aware at the time that the place was un-
prepared to sustain permanently any tri-
weekly issue that would be a credit 10 its
publisher. Therefore, as soon as its object
was accomplished, it was discontinued, the
weekly only being thereafter issued.
Graham q Webster purchasing the es-
bllshment released me from the business,
and by fire which occurred, destroying
row of frame buildings, the books and &C.
counts of the establishment were totally
lost, together with the files of the naper.
They were ut the time, IN the Office of
Henry G. Ford, ESQ. Hoping that an
outdoor life would be beneficial to my
health. joined a company from W;scon
sln and went to Kansas, remaining there
tor some time, and at first with some rea-
son to believe my health would be restored.
But eventually the fever and ague took
hold OF me to such degree that these in
dividual earthquakes nearly shook me off
the face Of the planet, and finding it i'm
possible to get rid Of it in that climate, |
returned to my birthplace where | have
since resided.
Although still suffering with disease of
the spine, my general health has slowly
but steadily improved, and though | have
no reason to expect long a life, Jas Webster
said. I still I've whilst many of my
knowledge and acquaintance, far more
robust, and to all appearance bidding fair
to be much longer lived than myself, have
sunk into their graves leaving me to won.
der at the mysterious dispensations of
Providence, and grateful, | hope, for all
his mereies. AMOS SMITH