The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-24
cOmmunseatlon Prom Alaerma,,

To the Editor Of the Argus:
DEAR SIR:-The Union of this morning
under the head Of The Rings makes q
series of charges and assertions of char
ac,er which think demands a reply and
and unqualified denial, from the fact of
their being base and unwarranted hes OF
the democratic politician who occupies the
local editorial chair among the staff OF
muddle- headed managers of the Union. L
svmpathised heartily with the working
men, he says, and had to De
labored with TO prevent my
going over to the new party. l
should be pleased, Mr.. Editor, to have this
democratic politician advance and explain
for the edifcation of myself, and the pub
lie, who performed all this labor. Give US
the name of the party that possessed so
much influence over 0urself and our actions
as to keep us 10 the democratic fold, if we
desired to affiliate with the new party.
simply say, Mr.. Editor, that always have
been sympathiser with the lsboring man,
but not from political stand point, --po-
litically ] have always been and am now q
democrat, but from the fact that
the laboring mems condition for
the past few years has been of &c
deplorable a character that the synlpathieS
of anv honest heart would naturally be en-
listed in their behalf. But about feathering
their nests; ask Tom Yates.
feel, Mr.. Editor, that the above
few words are direct in
situation that there exists or did exist q
small ring among the members OF the com
mittee on FIRE and water who were bent on
making few dishonest paltry dollars ou
Of purchase to be made for the city, anC
of which committee hold the ecdlted posi-
ton of chairman. Now, MIR. Editor. hoy
are the facts, as the entire committee vii
attest. A purchase Of 1000 feet of hos,
was made lest spring before Mr.. Butler re
tired from the chair, and before the pur
/ chase was effected thorough examination
of all qualities of hose offered by the differ
ent representatives of the manufacturer
was made, spd the relative merit
lif each taken into consideration
and well considered before tn
contract was made with MI
Rogers who represents the New York Rub
Der Company. At this purchase was pres
ept the fire and water committee, MI
Brooks and myself, also the Mayor (But
) lerl and the chief engineer of the fire de
partment, who had been added to the CON
mittee before the purchase was made, 8
that his expression and views iu the matte
might be obtained. The decision of .
present was that the test hose made b
the New York Rubber Company was th
proper thing for the city to buy; an
q to that purchasing committee Nj
Yates offered to sell the same hos
he has since sold to the city. at 95 cen
= per foot, for the price of so cents per ru1
ping foot. but from the fact that his ho'
att that time had no reputation that wou
Justify the committee in expending ii
o city's money unless for something sui
stantial his offer, even at 80 cents. was q
e considered. Why has the price increase
il nearly 20 per cent in few months? G;
d Mr.. Yates give a satisfactory explsBatiI
% of this problem? As for telling Mr.. 7 at
. to.move to torrid or.any country it is abs
J. lutely a malicious falsehood; so much f
the hose. And now responsible parti
have wagered that before the hose of Il
New York Rubber Co., begins to she
III signs of decay, or exhibit any defect VIII,
,. ever, the hose bought from Mr.. Yates, "
have gone beyond the day gifts usefulne'
r Respectfully Yours,
PETER SCHLEMMER.