The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-06-27
A VILE ATTACK.
Congressman Murphy and Niece Shame.
fully Slandered-A Dis
gruntled Sheet.


gruntled Sheet.
Thursday morning the Union published
a slanderous attack upon Congressman
Murphy and Ncece, but which, we are
pleased to say, is heartily condemned by
our citizens. The Union, which sets
itself up as model of virtue and truth
fitness, stoops so low as to wilfully ma
lign and outrageously abuse two gentle
men whose integrity and honesty are
above reproach, and who have made an
admirable record in congress
The article referred to lays great stress
upon the fact that although the Hennepin
canal appropriation failed to pass the
house the horse railway bill was success.
full. The Union holds the congressman
wholly responsible for this state of things,
and says the canal was neglected and the
interests of the horse railway particularly
locked after by these gentlemen. The
Union and every intelligent citizen knows
that nothing more false was ever uttered,
and the statement stamps the man that
made it as willful falsifier. What did
the members of the city council and
other gentlemen who went to Washington
last winter report? Did not they come
back and say that Messrs Murphy and
Niece were working hard and faithfully
for the canal? Yes; and they said more
than that. They said that Mr..
Murphy gave no other matter his atten-
ton. but applied himself wholly to the
canal. 1t was his hobby, and he rode 1t
constantly. Not single member OF
congress was allowed to remain ignorant
of the many advantages which the canal
would afford the great northwest. They
were buttonholed day and night, and not
an opportunity was lost to say good
in its behalf.
But take for instance, the speech made
by Mr., Murphy before the house on June
10th. This alone will convince the most
skeptical of Mr.. Murphy's sincerity in the
canals cause, although we think no one
doubts it. The correspondents to the Chi
cago papers said while the Hennepin
clause of the river and harbor bill was
under discussion:
''Mr. Murphy, of Iowa, spoke thirty
minutes. when, By unanimous consent, he
was allowed fifteen minutes longer. II
| was his first speech 10 con
gress, and the longest speech OF
the day. There was considerable
curiosity to hear him, and his remarks
received degree of attention that is sell
| dom accorded new member. Murphy
is thoroughly saturated with the Henne-
pin canal idea. He has talked of nothing
else, thought of nothing else, and subor.
dinated everything TO the one object In
view, that of securing an appropriation
of $500, 600 for its construction. He ha:
personally seen and labored with every
member of the house on the subject, ant
if it succeeds in passing it will be NOR,
largely due to his activity than any othel
cause. OF course he could not do thi
without firing the patience of nervous
members, but he has been so earnest, 81
jealous about it, that people forgot abou
their being bored and remembered onl,
his sincerity and good nature"
| Congressman Neece also made rousinE
speech in favor of the canal, which wa
printed verbatim in the ARGUS But il
the face of all this evidence of good faitl
on the part of our congressman, the Uniol
claims that they were treacherous, an,
did not support the bill with the cordial
lty that they should.
We had hoped, however. that the Hen
nepin canal would be annexed to the rive
and harbor bill, when it came before tn
senate, and that Senators Logan and Cul
lom would do something for the cana
when it came under their jurisdiction. Blu
, the river and harbor bill was referred t
the senate yesterday without the Henne
pin canal clause.
The whole cause of the Unions dis
pleasure is that the horse railway bi
passed the house, project which it ha
fought with all the strength tina
its old and delapidated carca.
could muster. To the disgrace {
8 the Union, it is truthfully said that
opposes almost every project which,
, successful. would be beneficial to Roc
t Island. The reason for its opposition
| the horse railway is easily solved. 1t
e controlled by the ferry company. and doc
a its bidding, If the proposed horse railws
d corporation was composed of members
8 the ferry company, the Union woul
e lesponse its cause as much as possible.
r is notorious fact that the Union is IL
only daily paper in the three cities that
not in favor of the street railway aero
e the bridge. 1t is also opposed to the ia
Il mail system, which is big stroke of ell
IS terprise. In fact, as we have said befor
). it is opposed to all progressive measure
e and proposes to go backwards instead
I, forward.
dl An Assault.
,tI A man named Titterington, of Tayl'
it Ridge, was in the city yesterday and W