The Rock Island Argus., 1877-10-23
Tuesday. October %, lS77.
"cRAzED WITH FRENzY."c
The Union "strilrss It's Envsnomed
Pangs into its Own BODY,
as it Were"
Rock Island. Ins., oeL. q, SO.


The utter hopelessness OF a cause may
very often be judged by the strenuous
efforts made in its behalf. We allow to
every man the fullest exercise OF all lawful
and lust means to carry forward to a sue
cessful issue any project which mag have
enlisted his sympathies more than this
can not, of right, be demanded. When
more is attempted, when unfair means are
employed to accomplish any certain end,
sense of justice, due regard for the rights |
and privileges beloDglOg to and the mutual
obligations incumbent upon each 10 a col !
leetive capacity, demand that all such at
tempts be repelled in such a manner that
their authors will recognize the power Of
those with whom they have to do. We
have frequently called in question the acts
of the UnlOn; we knew of its dread lest its
business rival should be nominated for
superintendent; we are satisfied that it
publicly urged the nomination of Sturgeon
and privately connived to the same end
solely to defeat Tillinghast; that the pro-
lection OF its business interests out
weighed every public consideration; we
know it is fully awake to the fact that un-
less it succeeds in electing its candidates it
will loose its prestige and will not have the
least shadow OF claim to be considered the
organ of the republican party 10 this coun-
ty, which it long since lost on account of
its weakness and utter worthlessness; yet,
with knowledge of these facts, we scarce
thought that it would so far forget or dis.
regard every sense of propriety as to make
a combined and wanton attack upon our
honorable board of education and the able
and efficient superintendent of our schools;
but driven to frenzy because honest and in
telligent republicans, men of independent
thought and action, refuse to accept and
obey its mandate as the ancents were
wont to hearken to aud abide by the COM
mands of the oracles and the DEGREES of
their gods; because republicans choose to
think aud act for themselves and refuse to
bow the knee in meek submission to
Baaam it becomes crazed with frenzy;
finding its venom has no effect, il slmu-
lates the Crotalus horTid,ss and strikes its
enyanomed fangs into its own body as it
were, by striking at those upon whom it
depends not alone for support but also for
its very existence.
We admit that paper, ably conducted,
its editorials and editorial controversies
breathing the tone Of honor, will be sup
ported by those of adverse views; for, 10
general man respects true worth, will en-
courage real merit, and will no more seek
TO injure and destroy such an enterprise
than he would aim to crush his
neighbor, because, perchance, they might
differ in opinion, hence il is that bold,
truthful and enterprising sheet finds its
admirers and supporters even among those
at war with it's sentiments; but paper
which possesses no ability of its own what
ever, which relies upon its own party for
support, because it is supposed to be the
party organ, this kind OF sheet cannot,
with impunty, trihe with its supporters.
10 its daily issue on the Goth inst, the
Union says:
Prof j. f. Everett, who through the
grac, of Granuy McMaster and the for
JeIrdRce ct the other members Ot tn,
board ot education continues TO draw the
salary Of sup riuteudent ot the city schools
aud Shdmbie through its duties, has writ
ten "a long letter which is published in TIL
ARGUS u the effect that Miss Kirkpatrick
has proved u good teacner aud good dis
cipliuarian in our Iubllc schools
Aud sull further:
Indeed there are not few who thiul
that Miss Kirkpatick would prove muci
more capable and efficient superintendent
of the city schools than the shamblin
professor himself"
Now, what is meant ty the professo
shambiing through his duties? 1t 1t mean
anything at all, it means not alone on
who is derilect 10 his duty but also on
who is incompetent to credibly discharg
the duties entrusted TO his keeping. Thi
is, indeed, serious charge. is il true?
so, we demand the removal Q
Prof. Everett; If true, the public demant
his removal But this is not all, tn
honor and integrity OF our educationa
board is impeached they, virtually, ar
charged with retaining man whom, it
asserted, they know to be both deriect an
incompetent. What? Squandering th
public funds and bestowing them upon a
unworthy tavorte? Are these facts? q
only the coinage of a diseased imagination
II facts, we demand the resignation c
the members of the board of education
the interests OF the people demand il
This charge Is also serious one. w
believe none of them; but the charges hay
gone to the public, aud whether truth o
the idle pratings of a morbid mind, th
public are in possession Of them. If true
there are means of redress; If false, a
we believe them, there is due the publ
and Prot Everett as well, from tn
board, a positive contradiction of th
charges. When were the schools of thi
present administration When unde
better discipline? When were they doiu
more satisfactory work? When had the
better reputation abroad? What wa
the occasion which brought forth thes
charges? In consequence of
letter from the pen of Prof. Everett
What was its purport? that certain lad
was successful teacher. a good disciDliI
iarlan; that she possessed fine financ
and executive abilities, equal
certain other ladies, wnom he kne
we're not her superiors in thorough teacl
lng qualifications" Why was the lette
writteD7 10 answer to certain inquire
Was it proper transaction? Most ce
tainly. Then why does the Union attac
MIR. Everett and berate our school board
The mouse shows itself This lady is
candidate for superintendent The Uni0
has candidate of its own and must ha,
him elected or lose its prestige IL
Union need have no fear in this regard, f
it has had no i0fuence with the better ell
ment of the republican party for month
When did it become aware that NJ
Everett was a ''shambling professor
or the board derilect in its duty? Has
been slumberiDg for so long aud only no
become possessed of the fact? Surely SUI
conservator p of the public good wou
not withhold such important informatit
for moment; and, while the Union co
tinues to vent its venom and to harp upt
the stupend0us legal qualifications of
candidate, will it pause and explain be
much OF this so called requisite leg