The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-10-20

To the ROCK Island Argus:
1T shall be done, will arraign them straight: |
Come, sit thou here, most learned iusticer,"
X. L. ILI6.
In our first communication we exposed,
IN part, the game by whish NJ. M. Sturgeon
won the nomination for superintendent OF
schools by a majority OF two, and was, by
the chairman, declared the unanimous
choice of the convention, when there were
as many dissenting voices, stern and deep,
as there we're affirmative. We showed
that his nomination was not made by the
representatives ~ of the people as re
ward for meritorious services, but was due
TO q manipulating ring, having under con-
sideration the business interests of the
Union. The Union was driven to this
course from its knowledge Of the plain fact,
that, editorially, it was wholly incompetent
to cope with its business rivals, fact
which every day becomes more and more
apparent to the reading public. We
showed how the influence of the Union
was dictated by purely selfish motives,
aud that it urged the election of ITS candi
date even before his nomination 10 the
convention.
10 our last communication we gave an
exposition of the inner workings of politi
cal rings, Of which the honest voter is kept
in perfect ignorance. We showed that
none are, 10 any sense, bound to support,
but, on the contrary, are under every
obligation to withdraw their countenance
aud support from rings and ring nominees,
which not only includes those who, by
rings, are forced upon the people, but also
those who, themselves, are instrumental
10 packing primaries, who choose their own
delegates, or, as before expressed, those
who nominate themselves.
We have regard for a citizen who, at
the solitations of his fellows will announce
himself a candidate for any public trus
outside of party lines. for it is proof posi-
tive that he is not ashamed 10 place him
self in the balance of a just, impartial and
intelligent public.
Had this course been pursued by the
now republican nominees, how many Of
those now on the ticket would have bad the
ghost Of a show for the nomination? But
1t is the man who recOils from such an
ordeal, who seeks the ranks of party,
manipuates either directly or by proxy for
nomination, and on the bare strength of
being the party nominee, hopes for success
this is The man we heartily desplse; con
fident OF his own weakness, he takes adj
vantage OF attachmenJ to party, aud by
tanning Into lite the smoudering embers
of party prejudice, he strives To- belitte
his antagonist and 70 cover and obscure his
own defects. We believe that time to be
here when the better judgement of men
will prevail over their latent prejudices and
that those chronic politicians who hope for
success % the strength of party nomina-
ton. regardless of the means used TO Oh
tain il, will find themselves in the end
precisely where they began. We are Of
the opinion that that system will yet uti-
fnately prevail in the political history Of
this country when the acknowledged nomi
nees of any party will come at the beck
ind call of the people, and the present
farce of conventional nominations will bC
known only in history IS one of the relics
of "a corrupt political age. We believe tina
the time will come when the actor
OF he peoples representatives will as truly
give back popular sentiment a
the MIRROR reflects the image of al
object We know that there are iDnu-
merable obstacles in the way, many bar
riers TO be removed, but if we are pro
gressive in our civilization, come it must
though not until the great majority of mel
become endowed with just sense of tn
obligation resting upon them in a state 0
civil society, of the relations existing be
IWGbu GdGL NlubI dUu lUG lUl6TeSIS Oh
individual becomes a part of and identi
cal with that of the community.
We are not of that class who seek Il
worm themselves into the private affair
of Others we seek not to open any man
private chest, nor do we demand to knoV
the tenor of his private reflections. How
ever, circumstances may arise when th
actions Of men justly become fit subiec
for public consideration. whereas. unde
other circumstances, the same would be o
no public concern whatever. A case illus
trative Of this is before us, and becomes o
common interest when we state that tn
actors are before the people in a publ
capacity. As we said in our first commu
nicatiOn, we shasl pursue our Investigation
from Il sense of duty, without fear ant
without the hope of base reward; tina
what is fair and honorable between mel
may prevail, and that alone is all for whicl
we hope If unfair and dishonOrable deal
ings OF men with their fellows is likely I
result in any advantage 20 the doors, W
wish TO see the coveted fruit garnered TO
others, known to be worthy.
As our attention, at present, is confines
TO the pending political contest, we shall
Dext notice transaction, which, consider
log the time and circumstances unde
which it TRANSFERRED, may be of much pub
lie concern. We refer to the dissolution
OF the law firm of Sturgeon & Adams
which, until recently, existed in this city
If on account Of financial matters, if o
account Of social relations, if fo
any other reason, SAGE one, if, in the Ian
guage of the Union, they even desired g
change for the sake of change" then tn
dissolution is a matter of no concern
us But If the partnership was dissolve
10 the end that both might appear befoI
the people as candidates, because two froI
the same firm might be considered one to
many, then it becomes fit subject for tn
investigation of the public lie is we
known that Mr.. Sturgeon was quite anxiou
To impress upon the public mind that Mi
Adams was foreordained to be a Judge
tie wrote to our representative at SprinI
held for information concerning the bi
creating the appellate and enlargIDg til
jurisdiction OF the county courts, and
has been currently reported that he wrot
the address published IN the name of til
Rock Island county bar. Concede that
did; concede that he was over anxious
have MIR. Adams nominated; concede tn,
he used every laudable effort to Undue II
people with u sentiment common to h
own, even then he did no more than a cit
zen might egitimately do; and though v
might be forced to smile at his DR.
sumption in considering himself preem
nently qualified to advise his peers as
whom they should select, yet would b
perfect right to do so, nevertheless, rema
the same.
SturpeoD Nv pl;c;tI, ztotao thok L. -