The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-08-27
OPEN AND ABOVE BOARD
A Democrats Views.
v. M. Blanding, Esq, on the Political
Situation in Rock Island.
Rock ISLAND, Aug. 81, 1885.

ROCK ISLAND, Aug. ", 1880.
Hon Wm H. Niece, n c.. Macom6, III.
DEAR SIR:-An open letter through
the columns of the ARGUS will certainly
be devoid of concealment and free from
the supposition of doing things secretly,
or in an underhanded manner. For that
reason the press is selected as the medi
UNI of the present communication.
Geo. w. Henry, ESQ.,, of this city, has
unquestionably been endorsed and rec
commended for appointment to the office
of Deputy Internal Revenue Collector of
this district by large majority of the
prominent and reliable democrats of this
city and vicinity
Now, if the appointment to that office
is to be made at the dictation of Butler
ties, and to crafty revenge and hatred of
democrats, whose choice has been ex>
pressed in favor of Mr.. Henry, then the
appointment would be an outrage.
Politically. the democracy of this cOun
ty and of this senatorial district, and |
may add of this congressional district,
owe nothing to the Butterflies. What
votes you may have received from them
if any-were more than repaid by demo-
cratic votes for Cabeen and Streator.
The contract-if anyways faithfully per
formed and the debt fully cancelled
there is no remainder over.
The idea is preposterous and suicidal
that appointments TO Office under dem>
ocratic administration are to be made
over the heads and against the wishes of
sound, reliable democrats at the
instance and request of their POI
litical opponents; and it is assuredly
very flattering to your democratic con
stituents that their recommendations are
not worth the paper they are written
upon. while Butterflies wishes are to be
most sacredly respected.
The democrats of this locality during
the twenty-four years last past have
stood good deal of political discipline
as minority party, and they can stand a
good deal more in legitimate way, but
they can't well smother an indignant pro
test against the covert sneers of their
political enemies, that democrats may in
terview and talk with the powers that be
1
any good. The Inference why is irresist-
ible. Is it true? You may depend upon
this much as being true The democratic
party of this locality has not been kicked
(metaphorically) by the Butleritc party
into such tame submission as to accept
the great Bulldo2er for their future
Moses.
Without saying anything whatever of
the merits or dement's of the applicant
whom the Butterflies would impose upon
the democratic party-and further, even
supposing for some years he has been a
democrat. and is capable of filling the
office--the damnable insult and injury
still remains that by Bullerite influence
and Butlerite dictation person is Sc
lected. and, if appoin ted, the
choice of the Butterflies and not the
choice of the democrats, becomes the
. incumbent, and-neXt comes the old
sneer "what are you gong to do about it2
The Butterflies of this locality be theiI
numbers and influence less or more-havt
done all in their power to injure and dis
rupt the democratic party. Their organ
in this city is instant, in season and out OF
season, declaring the corruption of both
the old parties and beseeching its readers
, to flock to the Ben Butler standard o.
politics and morality; and yet forsooth
the Butterflies want to dictate appoint
ments under democratic administration
and in district represented by demos
cratic congressman, and then taunt dem
, ocrats with their want of sagaciiy an(
, success.
Possibly no other person has had thu
courage to write in'such plain terms. anC
: point out the sentiments and feelings o
the democrats at the cheeky insolepct
and interference of political enemies; i
not, you can rest assured that the con
tents of this communication are not un
: known or unapproved by Others OF this
2 city, who feel as the writer hereof does il
the premises
Nothing herein contained is intended a
personal reflection upon your course Il
our congressional representative; we al
$ know you are not responsible for the ap
pointment of Hon. Maurice Kelly as in
ternal revenue collector for the district
but it is intended to plainly say, If til,
J Butterflies are to control the appointments
1 of this locality. something more than or
Z binary rebellion is likely to ensue.
Very respectfully yours,
V. M. BLANDING.