The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-08-30
THE MOLINE MEETING.
Hon. w. III. Niece and Mr.. j. L. Ken
worthy Address Large Audi
ence in the PlOW City.

ue tiEftlhuu anu IlCuuliChS CluD vi
Moline. had rousing meeting at Namur's
hall last evening The meeting was called
to order by Mr.. A. r. Bryant, Jealous
worker in the cause of democracy. The
question of going over to Davenport next
Wednesday evening was discussed. Mr..
D. w. Gould reported that 300 torches
had been secured aud there would with
out doubt be large turnout. A COM
mittee of three was appointed to make
the necessary arrangements for attending
the Davenport meeting. There being no
further business before the club, Hon W.
H. Niece was introduced to the audience,
which entirely filled the seating
capacity of the hall, and in
fact many were compelled to stand up.
Mr.. Niece discoursed for over an hour
on the political issues of the day, and he
handled the subject in a very able manner.
He commenced by saying that he had
been endeavoring to represent the district
in congress, and he would let the people
determine how well he had performed his
duty He had put forth his best efforts
while in the halls of congress for the in
terests of the people and especially the
laboring classes. A presidential election
was approaching, and it was now neccs,
sary to carefully consider which was the
best man to support. He then went on
to show why Grover Cleveland would best
represent the people of the United States,
but at the same time thought that il
Cleveland was beaten the government
would still continue. He farther said That
if he himself We're not elected, he did not
think it would make any great difference
And if the people of the district thought
that their interests would be better sub
served by electing his opponent to con,
gress, than himself, he would advise then
TO vote for Mr. Petrie. He had not gone
to congress to particularly represent any
party, but simply to serve the people
When he reached Washington he was able
to investigate how matters stood at The
Capitol. He found the treasury over
flowing with the peoples money, whicl
showed the cause for so much povert,
throughout the land. The people wer
overtaxed, and the poor man had to pa,
as much as the rich. He was not in favo
of locking up the peoples money in tn
vaults of the treasury, for it not only pu
money out of circulation, but invite
fraud and corruption in public offices
The speaker then proceeded to revieS
the tariff question at considerable length
and used convincing argument to sho'
that the present high tariff was mos
heavy burden on the people. He was nc
free trader. but he did not want an
more taxes raised than to economical
conduct the government. He wanted tn
tariff revised so that high tax would b
put upon the luxuries, while low on
: should be placed upon the necessaries. II
, spoke of the shameful degradation Of GU
navy and shipping interests on the hig
seas, and soundly berated the republica
J; party for the reckless disbursement of til
public lands to railway corporations an
foreign spectators. AS an example h
referred to the attempted land steal in Ne
Mexico by Elkins and his gang, whic
t was frustrated by his own efforts durin
= the last session of Congress. He read a
/ official report, published in the Chicae
1 Tribune, showing the millions of acre
e which had been fraudulently taken frol
e the government. The republicans in the
platform say they are in favor of reclaim
t ing the public lands, but he would like I
: have them explain why they ever Above
! them to be taken. Mr.. Niece was hearth
t applauded at different times during h
speech, which was listened to with marke
attention.
t Mr.. John T. Kenworthy, of this cit,
was the next speaker, and he made one {
his excellent addresses, He knew thu
both great parties promised virtually IL
same thing in their platforms, but /
! wanted to judge them by their &C
e tons. He proceeded to show ho'
the republican party had faile
S to make good the numerous prom
t ises made, and proved conclusively tbs
their words were not to be depended up
4 on. Mr.. Kenworthy is fast developin
: into an eloquent orator, and he will d
! good work during the campaign.
The meeting closed with few remarf
s by Mr.. Eugene Lewis, who gave Blaine
record rough scoring and cited SON
t statements made by republican papers
former years, wherein they charged Blair
! with corruption and the worst kind {
s political dishonesty.
Y The ARGUS congratulates the democrat
n of Moline on their activeness and zeal
e the cause of good government, feelir
confident that they will not labor in vail
but that their glorious efforts will |
q crowned with success.
An Anniversary.
Today is the second anniversary of IL
Il organization of the uniformed ranks
the Knights of Pythias and the Knigh