The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-06-26


man who 10 In complete and perfect
harmony with the progressive ideas Of the
administration under which be serves
man who has the courage of his own con-
victions. united with the daring to give
expression to them and the will power to
enforce them. II is most essential that
he have thorough knowledge of the
needs of the government in all that which
pertains to and affects it in its fiscal rela,
lions. He ought not to be mere figure
head, appointed for the sole purpose of
and with the sole expectation that his
whole duty is discharged when he has
drawn his yearly salary.
The people have right to expect and
the president to demand that he be man
who will be constant aid to the admin
istrationin the conduct of national affairs
within the state; that he be man who
is the choice of his party adherents in the
state, and not that of mere faction or
locality. The collector for the port Of
Chicago should be person who is well
and favorabfy known throughout the
whole state, one who has been long and
Intimately connected with the public af-
fairs of the people and identified with
their interests. That he may be of true
benefit to the administration, as well as
to the people, he should be so well versed
in the political history of the state as to
be able to advise with the president in
diligently and wisely upon all matters
touching upon the relations which the
state and national governments bear the
one towards the other His reputation
should not be confined to the narrow Inn
its of mere locality, but should be state
wide. His services 10 public interests and
to party good should have been more
than local, fractional and selfish. They
should have been of such character as
to make him preNeminently deserving al
the hands of the administration Thus
being eminently deserving, the rec
ignition on the part Of the president by
the award of an honorable position to
such q man is not the recognition and res
ward of the mere spokesman. 1t is but do
ing Justice to the statesman who has rem
dered in years past his state and party
much service. 1t is not violation of the
theory, the spirit or the letter of civil
service reform. 1t gives to the whole doc
trine true Interpretation, making il
more powerful to bring about public
good in governmental affairs than ever
springs from the Jscksonian doctrine
that ito the victors belong the spoils,
as that doctrine has been interpreted anC
practiced.
Entertaining these views upon thi!
subject, and believing as we do that the,
would find their fulfillment in the ap
pointment by the president of the Hon
orable John FL. 0berly to the position o
collector for the port of Chicago, w
fully endorse the resolution adopted BY
the Mclean county democratic commit
tee.
| We recognize the fact that Mr. Oberly
has received a token of appreciation ant
good will from the president in the ap
pointment of him TO the position of sH
perintendent of the Indian school service
but We believe he merits greater reward
There is no man in Illinois who is bette
fitted for the position in question, AMI
there is no man in Illinois who has don
so great and so intelligent service for tn
democratic party of the state as has he
He has worked for his party as an editor
as a member of the legislature, as part
candidate for q state offlce-the very &C
ceptance of the nomination to which en-
tailed upon him the greatest pecuniar
loss-and as the chairman of the stat
central committee throughout two cam
paigns. Until his appointment TO tn
position he at present holds he receive
no recognition for his services. He ough
now TO be better rewarded, and he ough
to be kept within this state, as the direc
representative of President Cleveland
The President needs him here, the de
m0cracY of Illinois need him here Neve
was the party in so great need of INTEL
gent leadership as at this very time, an
we believe that grave mistake will
; made if the president overlooks Mr.. ODE
| ly and bestows the Office upon some or
who is not knewn throughout the stat
and who is not possessed of the confident
of the entire democratic party of Il
: state.
Il We know that the appointment of NJ
Obelly to the position in question won
be the most popular, the most deserviu
and the best that could be made.
) would be the best for the administrator
i for the great commercial interests of Il
northwest, and for the democratic part
of the state of Illinois. 1t would be
| nractiral fnlfilImant of the IafferSnnia
test of office as regards capacity and hol
esty, coupled with the doing of justice
one who has spent his time. his energie
his means, for the benefit of his who
party, instead Of in the qualification
meIe selfish and personal ambition.