The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-02
Which after a Careful Exami'
nation, he will fad a
Barren Field,

1
Lynde the republican candidate. A body
of political soreheads got together after
wards and nominated citizens" ticket,
with Thos. Murdoch at the head. Mr..
Lyndc finally withdrew from the race and
(the Kangaroo candidate for
mayor was substituted in his stead. The
Union at that time thus spoke of the
Kangaroo ticket:
We presume some Of those who went
into the citizens movement did so from
pure motives Others saw 10 this the |
only chance for getting their private axes
ground, and still others, hopeless of any |
preferment in their respective parties, |
went in for the novelty and notoriety of
the thing. There is an element in both |
parties, which, because it can neither hold
nor dictate the offices OF the party, is |
ready to jump at any chance to aid its
defeat especially when it can be done |
under the captivating title of citizen"
movement, and in the professed interest
of economy and reform. The ultra reso-
buttons adopted by the Turner hall meet
| ing gave occasion to arouse this element
and combine it with those who honestly
desired to introduce a different class of
men into the city council. The result
shows that the citizens meeting was run,
and its ticket nominated by the fermer
class. The honest, conscientious portion
were overcome and the movement, so far
as the accomplishment of any of its
avowed objects is concerned, is misera-
BILE failure.
| Just what the citizens design to do, if
elected, is dieicult to say, as they have
given the public no declaration of their
principles. 1t was expected that We
should have a bold endorsement OF the
new temperance law, but never word
was ventured on the subject, and three
out of their five candidates are men friend
ly to saloons.
A good deal of high sounding declama-
ton was INDUCED in by the old party
hacks who run the convention. Various
reforms" were vaguely limited at, but
never explained. A better class of men
were desired for the city council, but sure
lly were not secured in the nomination OF
their ticket They wanted to ''get the
city government out Of politics
though the leading spirits of the meeting
were all active partizans and some of
them professional Office hunters and par
ty toadies from time immemorial. The
entire performance, with the licked nom
, mated looks like huge farce, and is SC
regarded by the public. The same men
who twice defeated Thos. Murdoch fol-
mayor, on neral grounds, now nominate
him for the same Office on the same ticket
with such high toned temperance advo-
t Gates as Jacob Norris and Geo. Downs
The trick is ''too thin," and we are sur
prised that any men should attempt Il
palm it off on an intelligent community
as a movement in the interest of morality
and reform. What reforms is this cit
J. liens ticket likely to inaugurate, if elect
: ed, which may not be expected from thu
republican ticket?
Are they any better men-any nor
u competent-any more honest-any NOR
?, free from party tTammels? Not a whit
They stand before this community as tn
! representatives of a mere faction, VIII
desire to use them for personal ends
They do not represent half as many ''cit
Is liens as either of the regular tickets
n Not one of them will receive enoug
votes to be called respectable" and til
only thing they can accomplish at bes
o' is to defeat the regular republican tickt
}. and throw the city into the hands
to Bailey Davenport and his corrupt ring.
e We caution republicans to shun Ii
whole business. 1t has simmered down
u petty trick for the promotion of privaI
ends. The public good will in no n
m spect be advanced, while great harm ma
r. come from turning over the city to Il
~ management of the democracy.
~ At that time Murdoch made the race {
A. the platform of some resolutions pass
at German reform meeting, and be W
also strongly.supported by the banks,w
~ wished to secure custody of the waite
~ works bonds. The large German vote CT
for him secured his election, although
Union made bitter attack on the Refo
society previous to Murdock's nomir
ton 1t was claimed that Mr.. Murdo
va was told if he was elected he should ha
- all his campaign expenses paid, and Civ
:" $3.50 additional. That must have beer
cheap fight for Mr.. Murdoch.
=, Capt T. J. Robinsan was one OF
~ Murdock's loudest champions, and
"poor heirs" of the ferry company
everything possible for his election.
-, ferry charter was about to expire and IL
desired to get it renewed, Ten yeara
' fore the company promised to pay
y, city $500 per annum, if the council wo
-, assist them in getting the renewal OF
~ charter. The council did So but no
10, single cent had Robinson & Co. ever
49,, into the city treasury up to that I'll
The heirs knew they would find "a fri
in need" in the person of Murdoch,
consequently their monied influence
80" cast for him. Again is Mr.. Murdoc
candidate, and the ticket he heads
'eu veritable Kangaroo ticket, or a reg
!. O,rang -outsang combination, what,
LAC you wish to call it. The Kangaroo
- 1872 is resurrected, and to its tail is tao
:. y, - Butterfly Bennett, the champion of
i''O workihgmen, otherwise known as
"greedy office seeker" This immacu
dow son of toll, who wishes it understood
he earns his bread by the sweat OF