The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-31
rHE pEMoeRATIc cANDIDATas.
As They Pass in Review Before ma People Of
Rock Island.

On the eve, as we are, of one of the
most important municipal elections held
since the incorporation of Rock Island, an
election fraught with the most momentous
results to every tax payer of the city and
| to every other citizen interested in cor
rect government 1t is both meet and
proper that our citizens generally should
be given food for reflection over the
Sabbath In the form of a comprehensive
sketch of the life of the democratic stan
dard bearer and those associated with him
on one of the very best tickets ever put
| in nomination in this city.
JAMES r. MOTT,
the gentleman chosen as our candidate
for the mayoralty, scarcely needs formal
introduction to the people of a munich
pality ia which he has lived and done
business over twenty years. and whose
whole life. both public and private, has
been as open to the public as the sun at
meridian. Mr.. Mott was born in Temp
.kins county, New York. between Seneca
and Cayugs lakes and when a mere lad
began to acquire an education as the other
sons of the early settlers of Western New
York acquired theirs almost without ex-
ception, by good hard knocks. In other
words by picking up little here
and there in the little ''deestrict'
school houses whenever opportunity
offered. At the early age of Line years
his parents removed to Norwalk. Huron
county, Ohio, where our next mayor
lived until twenty eight years of age. put
ting in most bis time on ''the old farm. !"
At the age referred to he came to Geneseo,
Illinois. and lived for time and finally
was persuaded to go 10 Muscatine, Iowa,
where he staid nearly year, when he re-
turned to Geneseo In 1869 he came to
Rock Island and became the popular land
lord of the johnson American House,
then standing on the corner of Second
avenue and Eighteenth street where the
Rock Island National Bank is now. Here
he remained shout year when he sold
out to Mr.. Woodin, (who subsequently,
became proprietor of the old Rock Island
House. and purchased half interest in
the Island City House, (his partner being
Mr.. Stafford which occupied the site of
the present Harper House. After years
experience with this hostelry he became
tired of hotel keeping. and after selling
his interest in the house made an engage
ment in 1865 with the house of E..
Tegcler & Co., as travelling salesman,
holding the situation about seven years.
At the expiration of the time specified
he purchased an Interest in the firm, which
he retained for five years, After selling
out, in company with MIR. Epstein he went
into business for himself Three years
ago the 1st inst Mr.. Basilius Winter
bought Mr. Epstein's interest. and in the
name of Mott Sc Winter the growing bust
ness of the firm has been transacted ever
since.
Such, in brief, is sketch of the life Of
our candidate for mayor. Not rounded
by brilliant deeds, perhaps, nor yet
sunken to commonplace depths. It is
the simple story of an honest life, the
sketch of a man whose whole aim in life
has been to do as he would be done by.
BY close attention to business details: by
ever remembering in his dealings with |
that justice should always be |
tempered with mercy; by an exceptional |
candor and an unimpeachable honesty in
all of his dealings and bycarrying an abund
auce of sunshine wherever he goes, has
Mr. Mott built up a business and areputa
lion of which any man would have reason
70 be proud. Everybody. even those Who
liffer from him politically or otherwise,
respects his sterling integrity, his honesty
Of purpose and this will be made appar
int on Tuesday next after the votes are
counted.
This is the man whom the democrats
nave put in nomination for the chief mag
stracy of Rock Island, and from present
Indications he viii be elected by major
ty which will fairly attest his popularity
With all classes Mr. Mott, however, is of
hat class (by far too rarely met with
l0WaQdYS, III pOLlttCS VI aHy WneIc CA5CJ
which do not believe in elevating them
elves oy endeavoring to smirch the repu-
atioDs OF others. He accepted the nom
nation in good faith. hoping to win by
rood majority. but if his election were to
iepend upon campaign of SANDER and
mud throwing he wouldn't stay in the
ield minute longer. Having
he good will and respect of everybody
With whom he has ever been associated in
business, and all of his neighbors, whether
democrats or republicans, he will retain it
wen through heated political campaign,
md when he retires from the position
With which the people propose to honor
linn by their votes, the plaudit of well
lone, good and faithful servant. will be
leard.
FOB CITY CLERK
hard working, conscientious and able
roung lawyer, Mr.. william FL. Atwood,
las been named, one who, if elected, and
he ARGUS believes that he will be with /
learty, persistent effort would discharge
he duties of the Office with credit to ,
himself, and with entire satisfaction to {
,kS.sax.,,ritv Hia onnopa0t has hold