The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-12-04


subject ferociously this morning. ard seems
very much piqued that anyone should dare
to contest the question contrary to the
Unions edict. Simmered down to fine
point. this hue and cry about the people"
is grab game" and the Unions earnest
advocacy of the scheme is inspired by the
prospective division of the political swag
There is no use in being mealy mouthed
about it-for that is the sum and sub
stance of the whole business. Underlying
the profession of fiIial devotion to the
people, is stronger devotion to self inter.
est and that self interest is the true motive
that inspires the advocacy of the absolute
elective plan, rather than the appointive
plan in some cases, when not mandatory
by law.
A special dart is thrust at the present
mayor in the following extract from the
article 10 the Union of to-day
The Street Superintendent will have
the hiring of street laborers just the same
whether he is elected or appointed. The
main difference will be that if he is elected
by the peopleshe will be man whom the
people want, while if he is appointed by
the Mayor the chances are, to judge from
the past, that he will be man who N the
people don't want.
The hidden meaning of this is that the
Union hates Mayor Reynolds, and that, as
| he has made speciality of street work, and
has placed our streets in better condition
| than ever before, his chances OF election
would be materially lessened, were he de-
prived of the entire control of street work,
| Instead of his being man whom the
jority last spring ia any indication, and his
efficient administration and economical
management is CT any weight, the "peo-
ple," whom the Union so hypocritically
processes to love, would say that he is the
man they do want
Last evening THE ARGUS said
Thus far the Union has not answered
THE ARGUS statement that giving the
Marshal power to appoint the police will
| turn the department into political ma
chine in the interest of the party which
gave it existence.
The Union this morning says IN answer
to the above
We have not answered the statement
before for the simple reason that we re-
garded 1t as too silly to require answer.
The Marshal has power to appoint the
police, and cannot be clothed with any
such power. All officers not elected by
the people must be appointed by the
Mayor aud confirmed by the Council,
SO tnat, - feH as the policemen are con-
/ cerucd, there would be 20 change IRON
the method of selection heretofore 10 prac
tice.
Too silly to require an answer is it, well
perhaps it may be from a partisan stand
standpoint, by the people. it is not so
amusing as the editor of the Union i'm
agn es. In tie Grst PLACE the Union is
contradictory, in its zeal to appear as the
champion of the people il overreaches.
AID is somewhat mixed. 1t was only few
DAYS ago that the Union said of the Marsh
al that
The police should be appointed by the
marshal, as the marshal eho2ld have entire
control Of the force, and strict discipline
cannot be reconcled with the indepen-
dence which an election would give"
| Now, the Union says that there would
| be no change in the appointment Of the
poIicp that the mavor would appoint them
and the council would confirm. In tbs
paragraph the Union virtually admits that
the police would be L, 1re efficient and free
from partisan control if appointed instead
of being elected It it is good policy to
appoint the police. if is equally good policy
t. appoint the marshal. Under the
appointive power. the marshal and his
officers would be subject to the mayor and
council, and knowing that their tenure CT
Office depended on an efficient performance
of duty, there would be better discipline
and closer attention to duty. If however.
they were elective, they would conform to
the wishes of their party and would look
to the party and party caucuses for a re-
election. Under the present system Of
appointing the marshal and subordinate
officers, the slightest direlectiou of duty
would be the cause for removal or suspen~
sion, whereas under the elective system
except for gross malfeasaDce there would
be no recourse for the people. The Union,
while protesting to champion the peoples
rights is really working for The formation
of a political ring. THE ARGUS
is, and always has been the advo-
cate of the broadcast liberty to
the people. As Democratic paper, it
has advocated Democracy, and as Demoo-
racy means the people. and is exemplary
of the maxim-"the greatest good to the
greatest number" it is The peoples organ.
But though Democratic paper, and the
organ of that party in this county, it
would oppose the election of Marshal,
Street Superintendent, Weighmaster and
Water Works Superintendent as vigorous
ly under Democratic rule as under any other
party rule. The ARGUS believes that the
city's interests can be best subserved by
making at least portion of the city Off
GERS appointive, and 10 this belief it advo-
cAtes what il honestly considers would be
for the peoples best interests. The police
force, above all other departm 1uts, should
be strictly non-partisan. so should the
other Offices which THE ARGUS desires to
see remain aDpoinfive IT 10 Aosh IN falk |