The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-08-07

1888. E. G. CRoPPRR,
Police Magistrate, and Elk Officio Jus
tice of the Peace.
THE ARREST.
This paper was placed in the hands of
Chief of Police Miller, who arrested
Cramer about O'Clock last evening, and
took him to the Office of Police Magistrate
Chopper City Attorney Corbett, Judge
Wilkinson, and States Attorney Parmen.
ter have been engaged in the prosecution.
and Sweeney, Jackson and Walker were
Cramer's attorneys. Mr.. Chopper fixed
Cremer's bail at $4,000. with the under
standing that the examination would 10
deferred until further investigation of
the books could be made. Cramer was
kept in the office until IL O'Clock, in
the hopes that he might be able to furnish
the required bonds. They could not be
secured, however, and he was conse-
quently taken to the county jail, where he
remained during the night. 1t is under
stood that the deficiencies discovered so
far, will amount to $4,000 Capt. Robin,
son, W. L. Sweeney and Alvin He'll went
on Cramers bond for $4,000. in 1880,
while he was superintendent of the water
works.
An rIsyrT I'M auNEDA FrTfN
When the people of Rock Island
elected James z. Mott to the high
office of chief magistrate, they
did wise thing. They elected man
whom they knew would perform the
duties of his office in straightforward
and honest manner When the people
elected him, it was very evident that the
people wanted change. They were
tired of the old administration, and
wanted new men placed in the different
positions of trust. In electing Mr.. Mott
mayor. they expected him to make new
appointments. They demanded it, They
were sick and disguised with the manner
in which certain departments had been
conducted, and with the men who had
been growing rich at the city's expense.
Mr.. Mott was not backward in COM
mencing his reform movement. He went
at it with will which was cOmmendable.
The Office in which he deemed it most
essential and really necessary TO make a
change was that of superintendent of
water works. He had stubborn fight
before him; Cramer would not leave by
request, he had to be kicked out of the
office.
The argument advanced by has repnbli-
can friends, especially the Union, that
Cramer was the only competent man to
handle the works, was a hollow mockery.
1t pleaded, protested, aud almost, in fact,
dared the mayor to turn Cramer ont.
The Union said he would jeOpardize the
interests of the city by making change,
and putting new man in charge of the
machinery. II laughed at the idea of
Joseph Kerr being competent man for
the place. Why, the Union said, he is
only pattern maker, and knows nothing
about machinery especially such compli-
Gated machinery as is used in the water
works building" AT the very time the
Union made snch statement, it knew il
was uttering an untruth 1t knew that
Joseph H. Kerr was as competent to fill
the position of superintendent of the
water works. as was Fred. Cramer The
real motive of the Unions ardent desire
to keep Cramer in office is now apparent
to the public. Why was it that the re
publicans said to Mayor Mott, IF you
will give us Cramer, We will vote for
every other appointment you may make -
Cramer, himself, would not surrender the
Office until he was compelled to. The
mayor told him he could not be reinstated.
but still he persisted. He held on to tie
office as a drowning man wonld to a
straw. Cramer was the Unions pet and
pride
The people can congratulate themselves
on the change in the city admin
istration. If the democracy had
not been successful last spring.
no such revelations would have been
made, The pilfering would have gone
on, and no one would have been the
wiser As before, Cramer would have
been allowed to make his collections, and
return what report he pleased to the city
council. No questions would have been
asked, and no investigation of his books
made. As its readers know, the ARGUS
took decided stand against Cramer, and
favored an investigation,of his books. IT
Mr.. Cramer was not guilty. it wanid be
no dishonor to him to have an examina-
ton made The ARGUS was abused
roundly by some for the course it took,
but it did not care. 1t was in the right.
and thai was enough. 1t wants the
''rascals turned out. and to that end it
will always labor.
Monmouth RepieaO; We had the pleas
ure of call yesterday from J. D. Taylor
of RnnE Land uhn ,uns hara xrinitinrr ,ld