The Rock Island Argus., 1879-02-01
"Asaemblan Winaom -

some OF our city officials The little petit
tion that emanated from the Office Of the
Union was. last night. laid before a special
meeting Of the City Council, that they might
take action in the premises.
The Union says, it was petition of 2SO
''legal voters Of Rock Island-forty more
than the law requires-askiDg that
special election be called at as early a
day as practicable for the purpose of sub
uniting the question of adopting the gen.
"eral incorporation law to vote of the
people" This states the case in a nut
shell, from the point of vision occupied by
the petitioners, of which the UatoR is the
head, body and soul.
But" says the Union, "the obstruc-
"tionsts had prepared different line OF
action" In the use Of the word obstruc-
tionists the Union is particularly Fortunate
inasmuch as tho different line Of action, at
which the Un,0n is ready to, and does,
growl. was prepared by the Legislature,
and is part Of the act of general Incor-
pOration, under which the petition is framed,
AS was suggested by The ARGUS some
days since, the Union has admitted its
partisanship, and an honest statement of
matters concerning public polity need
never be looked for in its columns further
more, when person, or persons, become
personally interested in matter, giving all
their time and attention thereto, enter
ing into the theme with heart
and soul, apparently at least,l the vision
becomes jaundiced, and greenish-yellow
tinge, savoring Of jealousy, mars every
thing in connection with their pet scheme
when opposition is formed. In order that
the people may fully understand the posi-
tion of the board of Aldermen in this mat
ter, we will quote from the statutes that
part bearing upon the petition as present.
ed by the Union.
"WheneYer one-eighth of the legal Yot-
ers of such city Uoting at the last proceed
ing municipal election shall petition the
Mayor and Council thereof to submit
&c. Here is the obstruction Of which the
Union complains. At the last city cleo
tion, held on the 5th of March, 1878, the
highest number of votes cast was 1917, of
which 24O constitute one eighth, and is the
number of"legal voters" who voted at
thatielection, viz: the municipal election of
March 9th, 1878, required to make the Pc
tition to the Common Council valid. There
was no course open to the Council except
to assure themselves as body or through
committee appointed, that the petition
did contain the signatures Of the number
provided as above. Should the Council
grant the prayer of its petitioners, without
investigating the matter of the signatures
60 the petition, and assuring itself that the
requisite number Of legal voters as provid-
ed in the statute, were appended thereto,
the City Attorney informed them, as in
duty bound, that if judicial inquiry should
ever arise as to the legality of the petition,
and it should prove on investigation that
the requisite number had not signed it.,
then their action in calling the special eec
ton would be held invalid.
A palmer statement of case could not
be made than that given by the City At
torney, aud the council very wisely decided,
by unanimous vote, that it would first
satisfy itself of the legality of the petition
With the petty spite of the Union, vented
upon the City Attorney, we have no con-
Germ, more than to set that paper right in
regard to the requirements of the General
Incorporation Act, and support the action Of
the attorney as the legal adviser of the
council. When partisan newspaper elects
itself TO the Office of paternal ancestor of a
scheme of any kind, it should not expect
every one to look through the same speeta-
cl3s, but must anticipate the fact that the
non-partsau section will assure itself chat
it is right. before going ahead.
We have said nothing against the peti-
ton presented to the council. The fOunda-
ton of Democracy is the will of the people,
and if the citizens of Rock Island demand.
by ballot, that the city be reorganized
under the General Incorporation Act, we
will be the first to bid them God speed in
their new departure; but we do object,
most strenuously, to any action of the coun-
Gil that will lead the city into litigation chat
might cause more trouble,and involve more
expense, than anything that can occur un-
der the present charter. The action Of the
Union in sprlDgiDg this matter upon the
people, without first allowing them time to
discuss the merits or demerits of the quos-
tion il IN he denrecated