The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-01
The Bulldoz,ng Tactics of the Union

1ne 6uildoz1nS TACTICS OF the Union
We had hoped the Union would relax
its intensely partisan zeal, for once, and
lend itself to advocating the true interests
of the city. Instead of so doing it coutiu-
ues to pirate of party and crack the party
chip instant 10 season and out OF season
1t assumes as its primary postulate that q
person elected on the Republican ticket
thereafter has 40 right to act in accord
ance with his individual Judgment but
becomes at ccce the subserVient tool, the
minimizing instrument. TO execute party
behests as propounded by the self sssumed
party dietstor-pamely, sthe Union itself.
We are not conyersant With the political
opinions OF the aldermen elected as Re
publicans, but We do know them as oiti-
gems, as business men, and as represents
tives OF the peoples interests. and we are
| frank to say that we have more confidence
in their capacity TO judge rightly in city
affairs, and of their integrity to stand by
their convictions Of right, than We have III
either the capacity or integrity OF
she Union and its partisan clanor.
TIE ARGUS has always maintained
that municipal affairs sre best managed,
and the results most beneficial &c TIE pso~
pie, when the city administration ia eon
Quoted strictly in the city's interest with
out reference to the benefit of any par
ticular party This does not require city
officers to divest themselves wholly from
political preferences, or to become wholly
non-partizan upon questions which are
purely political in their nature. But such
points eeldom arise 10 local matters. 1t is
not a matter Of poli,:cs-at leas: 1t ought
not to be-.whether the city is re-districted
at the present time or ten years from DOW
whether ali city officers are
elective or only some portion Of
them whether public improvements
shall be extended more or limited less
the true policy is to elect GOOD me6 to
office who will act and legislate 10 the city
COUGH! with an eye single to the general
good as representatives of the whole PEG
pie and not as the plant tools Of party.
The Republican aldermen, and all other
aldermen. who have had the nanliness to
abide by their CONVICTIONS and
the courage TO vote 10 accordance
with their Judgment as to what is Deedful
for the city 5 good under present circun-
stances are the true representative men, and
worthy Of commentator for their honesty
and integrity.
The shameful idea oil ostracising aud
abusing in the columns of the: press every
public ofhcar who does not at ali times
bow TO party edic,s is one of the crying
evils Of the times. and many good man is
debarred from serEipg iu any public capa-
city because of his repugauce to become a
target for constant criticism and abuse, and
because of his unwilligpess to yield his
Individual judgment and his self respect
to the party dictates of machine men who
are every way his interiors.
TIE ARGUS has already at various times
expressed its opinions freely and fully in
regard to pending city questions and does
not now propose to reiterate its views-but
it does protest vigorously against the idea
OF every time, even to nauseatiop, inveigh-
ing against men an party sense who
don't act and vote at all times and upon all
questions as if they belonged to the party
no achine and wore party collar.