The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-06-24
Prof. st. Clair and the Athletic Club
Show Manager,
40 he Editor Of The Argus:

Show Manager,
To he Editor Of The Argus:
Abuse, in the minds of all rlghtminded
people, is ever in bad taste and recolis
mostly upon those who indulge in 1t;
while private wrongs are usually matter
of indifference to the general public and
always considered bore. Still, love OF
justice is inherent everywhere, and that Is
all ask of this community.
In commenting upon the communication,
filled with gross errors and personalities OF
A. s. Dart in yesterdays Union, l shall
not follow his vindictiye path, but give
only those facts and circumstances peril
nent to the case, and after having made
this solemn statement. l shall take no
further public notice of the matter.
Neither do [ propose noticing the stupid
Jokes of the Peoria Journal in connection
as given in your issue of Saturday last
further than to say: That, my wife's
name having been unnecessarily brought
into the issue, in your quotation therefore,
am now compelled-much TO my disin-
clination-to call particular attention to
the Joint sworn affidavit subjoined which,
considering that Mr.. Schenck is the teapot
fund whence has sprung all this tempest.
and that myself and wife have both resided
here long enough to entitle each of US tc
reasonably good reputation for respecta-
bility and veracity, ought to exonerate me
from all blame In regard to Biehl and
his men so completely classifying their
assertions to me, their motives of self
interest and trucking to the Athletic club
do not and could never, affect me-tor L
am Indifferent now to, and have always
felt independent of that membership. LII
all the world stood against me and knew
that | was right-as | am now certain
opinion. especially when begotten of
obstinacy and prejudice, would have no
effect upon me.
One word as to my connection with this
combination" whether ''mercenary
oharlatan" or not, claim to haye contri-
buted a large share to its success; that
my services were compensated for far less
than they were worth; and that often they
were given out and out-as in the last
trip.
AS to the. miserable memoranda
claim TO have written all the music out
correctly and fully, in first class theatrica
and workmanlike, manner and for abou
less than one.half what the labor was
worth.
/ One little question desire to ask of Mr.
A. S. Dart and the dramatic parties Of tht
Athletic Club, whose mouthpiece he pro
fesses to be: If the many expressions o
thanks and good will have received from
it's members, extending over period o
several months and from the first rehearsal
and through every representation, till thi
last trip-coupIed with the numerous
gracious and complimentary notices of tn
press in connection for services rendered
the Club, if all this, | say, was emptines
and his praise, and ! am indeed the ''mer
cenary charlatsn' he styles me, how is
that he: A. S. Dart, was so long finding
out and didn't discover it before?
Under these circumstances dlscrlml
mating public will judge, and rightly as
where the motive existed fer doing thai
even TO create personal spite" against
single member, which would merely re
dcund to my infinite discredit tconsiderin
| was Musical Director and which woul
merely disrupt my relations with the mem
bers Of the Club with whom they ha
always heretofore been friendly and cordia
Such course Is neither consistent wit
COMMON policy nor common sense an
ueucG ubL u De CEtuittb U9 pGppIC VI III
partiallty. ordinary sagacity and reason
And while | admit I was hasty IN refusin
longer to play for the party, l did /
more than any other man OF pride an
spirit would have done under the sam
circumstances when emanating from tt
story of an unjust accusation.
Z. G. ST. CLAIR,
The following are the afhdayits;
STATE OF ILLINOIS, lss
COUNTY OF Rock ISLAND.
Charles G. ST. Clair and Mrs. Avice
St. Clair, being duly sworn doth eat
Jointly and severaIiy depose and say tn
on the 9th day of June 1878, on the stel
of the Merchants Hotel in Peoria, we IN
Mr.. j. w. Sohenok and after calling hi
to an account for certain offensive charg
, and expressions he had made again
Prof, &. q. St. Clair, he made tie toiIo1
ing remarks: For goodness sake Pro
don't say any more about it, l know | a
the blame. | made the mistake myself
g have never told anyone you did it on pu
pose.
G. G.. ST. CLAIR,