The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-20
THE SLATE is FIXED,
And it Will be Handed to the Aldermen
Tonight for Inspection.
The Parties 10 the Recent Deal Slight
ly Apprehensiye of their Own Men.
Free Advice Given to the Democratic
Aldermen---Will They Swallow
the Bait?

The adjourned special meeting of the
city council which occurs tonight, will no
doubt be an interesting one. There will
be the outgoing Of the present council,
and the incoming of the new admins
trahon-at least this programme has been
announced. generally understood
that the new mayor Will make his APP
pointments, or endeavor to do so.
There will be an additional interest to
these little diversions, by reason of the
evenness of the council politically-here
being seven democratic aldermen, and an
equal number of republicans and greens
hackers combined.
There has been lively scramble for
appointive places, and Mayor>elect Muir
dock has been daily besieged by appli-
cants, and by the number, one would
naturally think that he had about one
hundred places TO fill. Why these
people should take it for grant
ed that all the present incumbents
will be ousted is hard to determine.
Mayor Mott made only two changes when
he began his administration -superinten-
dent of water works and street commits
sioner. AS every one knows the expul~
sion of Cramer was an imperative duty,
so there was really only one change
which had any political significance what
ever. Then why should Mr.. Murdoch be
expected to create new list of subordi~
nate officers. especially when more than
half of them are now republicans? 1t
does not look reasonable unless the
"power behind the throne" forces him to
| it.
But the combination" is greedy, and
will not hesitate to demand everything
they can lay their hands on, and much
will depend on the firmness of Mr.. Muir.
dock. 1t is very evident, however, that
some definite conclusion has been
reached, and that suitable slate has been
arranged for tonight's entertainment. In
their anxiety to have the cut and dried
programme carried out, both or
gans of the Combination" have
importuned democratic aldermen to
acquiesce gracefully and assist in
confirming all of the mayors appoint
ments. 1t is quite amusing to see these
two "spry and clipper" opponents OF
manly principles, and moulders of public
opinion making their prayful plea to the
democratic members. They cite TO them
the case of republican senate cOnarm
ing the nominations of a democratic
president, and other striking % compar,
isons.
The ARGUS trusts that the democratic
councilmen will not be influenced by the
sophistries and sudden affection rendered
them by the "spry and clipper person
ages Their tactics would be entirely
different if the democrats had one les
alderman. They are well aware that NJ
appointments can be made without tho
consent Of the democrats, hence the gen.
tie persuasion. As near AS we can deter
mine, the general desire is to see most o
the present officers reinstated and thu
democratic members will be undoubtedl,
in favor of that policy, And if not {
single change was made the republican
aldermen would have no cause to com
plain. A democratic administration
treated them most graciously. 1t gave
them the craftsmanship of the most inn
portant committees, the health commits
sioner. overseer of poor and the chief o
police. When Mayor Mott made thes,
great concessions to his political adverse
ries he evidently determined to return
good for evil" There is one officer par
tlcularly, that should be left unmolested
and that is the superintendent of water
works. Public good and fairness demand
this. Too much credit cannot be givel
Mayor Mott for ferreting out the corrup-
ton which existed in this Office when hi
party came into power, and it would only
be showing him proper courtesy to retail
his appointee-especially when that per
son has faithfully fulfilled his trust. Be
sides superior service to water renters
Mr.. Kerr has greatly reduced the expense
in his department. and the machiner
shows much more attention and care thai
when he entered upon his duties. If tn
aldermen will look at this matter from
non-partisan standpoint, they cannot fai
but arrive at the conclusion we have
But we shall see what we shall see.