The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-08-09
The Union Makes a Feeble Effort In
Behalf Of Cramer.
1t Would Make the People Believe
That He is as Good as Aid.
Hull Stated In his
Resolution.


question. The Union would like to have
played mute on the subject, and not
refer to it at all, but it was compelled to
say something, even if that something
amounted to nothing.
The article, from the first line down to
the last, is decidedly weak. In fact there
| is not sound argument in it. But, what
more could be expected? The writer is
championing lost cause He is attempt
ing to bolster up man whom he knows
has erred. The editor of the Union
knows-but he attempts to shield the
truth-that there is a shortage in
Cramer's accounts That he has collected
more water rent than he has turned
over to the city. At least he is
aware that his books show a
deficiency and that they bear unmis-
| taxable evidence of having been tempered
with. When ignorance is bliss It's folly
to be wise, is an old adsge that exactly
suits the Unions case. 1t pretends to
know nothing about Cramer's guilt 1t
don't want to know anything about it. 1t
shuns the subject, and no doubt wishes an
Iowa cyclone would sweep across the riv-
er, and take Cramer's books in its mighty
arms and land them in some secluded
spot, hundred thousand miles from Rock
Island,
The Union Has the unadulterated cheek
TO say that the assertions made by the
ARGUS are wholly false and largely
malicious" But does it prove what it
says is fact? No, nor can 1t. Ii does
not explain the receipt of $3.50 given 10
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific rail
road company, and the $50 turned into
the city treasury. 1t does not explain all
that is charged against Crsmer in the
complain issued by Mayor Mott and Al
derman Larkin. Is the motive for having
Cramer arrested purely malicious. The
ARGUS makes no charge against Cramer
that is not embodied in the complaint
under which he was arrested, and as
told US By the persons who had examined
the books. Where then, was the Union 5
ground for charging us with making as
sertions wholly false and largely mali
cious" 1t IS merely q haphazard state
ment without foundation
The Union also tries TO convey the false
impression that the ARGUS wishes to
give the affair political bearing,
and make political capital out of the
| charges against Cramer The ARGUS will
state once for all that such is not the
case. The political stripe of man who
abuses public confidence, and purloins
the peoples money, is not taken into
consideration. Be he a republican or
democrat, he is equally guilty, and should
receive the severest penalty of the law.
The ARGUS has no personal feeling
against Mr. Cramer and is no severer on
him than should it be on a democrat that
occupied his unenviable position.
The Union makes laughing stock OF
itself when it says that Cramer was not
a candidate for the position of superin-
tendent of water works, and that he
wished to retire, and only consented to be
retained on the personal solicitation OF
leading republicans and taxpayers.
Every man in town knows-or ought
to know-that he was not only
seeking reapp0intment, but was
putting forth every exertion TO be re
tanned. When the mayor refused to ap-
point him, he still chung to the Office witt
bulldog tenacity Even on the day thai
Mr.. Kerr was to take charge he made :
last effort, and if there would have beer
any possible way by which he could re
fuse TO turn over the works 10 Mr. Kerr
he would have done it. He had promised
to be al the water works building at ont
O'Clock that afternoon, to explain thing!
to Mr. Kerr. but he did not arrive unit
three O'Clock, when he was told by hi.
attorneys that there was nothing for hin
10 do but turn over the keys TO MIR. Kerr
This looked as though Mr.. Cramer was (
candidate for reappointment.
The Union yet appears TO moan anC
weep because Cramer was turned out o
Office. Notwithstanding the disgracefu
proceedings which have been developed
the Union appears to inwardly suffer oil
account of his expulsion. The republican
aldermen who voted Tor Mr. Kerr wert
soundly berated for their course BY TIN
Union, at the time, and it still criticise
their action. The ARGUS thanks the re-
publican aldermen who voted agains
Cramer, and they may be justly proud o
their record on that occasion.
-@NHn-