The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-04-25
CAMPAIGN LIE.

As is we'll known Judge Craig. the pres
emit supreme judge for the fifth election
district is q candidate for election. His
friends claim that his fitness for the place
has been demonstrated by his record, and as
q consequence he should be selected as his
his own successor. He lie to run. not as a
democrat or republican. but simply because
he is qualified to I'LL the position.
The republicans are opposed to having
a man on the bench that does not wear a
party collar. They can not attack Judge
Craig's character nor his ability. but they
seek to cast asrehection upon his course by
insinuating that his followers have tried to
subsidize the press OF the district. A re-
port was put in circulation that some one
had approached the editor of the Moline
Citizen for the purpose of securing the
support of that paper. The item originally
appeared in the Geneseo Republic, and its
falsity is thus proven by the subjoined card
from Eric johnson, the. editor of the
Citizea:: -.
ORION, April .24.-The item copied from
the Geneseo Republic. emanating from Cole
ma, requires few corrections Early in
the Judicialcanyass now pending, In fact
while Judge Craig was the only announced
candidate, and before it was decided
whether Republican Judicial convention
should be called. and not q few days since,
/ was asked by friend of Judge Craig,
but not ION = railroad train whether
was friendly disposed to the candidacy of
the Judge; and would advocate his claims
in the columns of The Gatszea, and il so
that the friends of Judge Craig would see
that was paid for the work done in his
behalf. / replied that while believed In
a non partisan election fer filling the Office
of Supreme Judge, as was unquestionabIy
the intention Of the Trainer of the law, I'M
der which provision this election 10 held
separate from all other elections, SO that
as far as political Considerations were con-
cerned: / hsd no objection to Judge
Craig, still there were other circum-
stances that had more weight with me,
and ! stated them frankly; feared that
the habits sympathies, and convictions of
the Judge were not, in my opinion, sound
on the temperance question, and that
therefore could not consistently or con-
scientiously give him any support.
i did not then, and do not now look
upon this interview, by the friend of Judge
Craig, as any attempt TO hribe me into his
support. Remuneration for honest labor
performed In strict accordance with ones
convictions. and an approving conscience,
is not bribery. However. the line Of de-
narration between an honest aud dishonest
transaction, ip case Of this kind is SO In
distinct, that honest differences OF opinion
can. and do exist Again there may be
times when q publisher Ia indifferent on
question Of candidacy, when remunera-
ton win spur him up to more active work
Even this 10 legitimate and not corrupt
However,, an opposition to the decision of
the political party to which an editor or
publisher clai1ns allegiance, must either be
based on strong convictions and personal
preferences or corrupt influences.
Finally. while not ID favor Of party
judicial convention. ] am in favor of the
candidacy Of Judge. Glenn. as his qnalifica-
tons. IN every respect, meet my views.
and Il needs NO stimulus Of any kind to
arrive ct such eonclu fusion.
Respectfully, ERIc JOHNSON.