The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-10-09
WHO WILL GET III.

The contest over the Edgington post
ocflic has probably created more ill-feel>
ing and assumed greater proportion than
any similar controversy in Rock Island
county. Tie candidates are Mr.. ii. L.
Stoddard. one of the most prominent
citizens Of the town. and well known
throughout the county. His opponent
is Mr.. w. c. Humphrey, a young man
who has resided in the town for the past
seven years, and made many acqnain-
tances in the vicinity, where he has held
the position of clerk in one of the
stores. He is said to be upright
and honorable and generally respected by
those who know him. During Mr.. Stod,
dards long residence in Edgington-
about 30 years-he has made some per
sonal enemies, who are now engaged IN
determined effort to defeat him for the
pos.mastership. and while saying naught
against his character as man, they &C
cuse him of political perfidy, and in fact
have carried on very aggressive move
ment against him. But in doing 50 they
(his opponents) have violated political
etiquette in forming an alliance with That
rascaIy mountebank. the disgraced eX-
purscr of the navy. This is great point
IN Mr. Stoddard's favor, and will probably
have the effect of securing him the posi-
ton he seeks. Although Mr.. Neece has
given the matter much attention, he has
been unable to arrive at Il decision, ana
has therefore called special election
(nolicc Of which appears eIsewhere) to
settle the question, on Saturday, Oct, 18TH
BY his call all those who voted the dem
ocratic presidential or congressional ticket
in November 1884, will be entitled to
vote. Each side is to chose one judge OF
election, and they the third, the polls to
be open from . to 9 p. III.
OF course it makes no difference t" the
ARGUS who is appointed postmaster III
Edgington or other towns in the county
provided that the appointee is good
democrat and is capable of performing
the duties in business>iike manner.
But we do most cmphaucaily
object to others than democrats
attempting to control the APP
pontments. 1t is neither the intention
nor policy of the ARGUS to participate in
these controversies. and SO far it has not
intcrfcred in the least or favored one
poslotlice applicant in preference to an
otheI In this case, however, ii would be
II dercliction of duty on our part to remain
silent. as the question to be now decided
is: "Aru democrats or their opponents to
control the postollccs in this county?
The ARGUS is certainly in favor OF the
former
Old Danforth. who appears to be the
leader of the Humphrey party, objects to
the question being settled by an election,
saying it is scheme Of Stoddard's. The
truth is that Mr.. Stoddard is not deslrous
of going into an election contest, and knew
nothing about it until he was told in this
city that Mr.. Nccce had made call for
such election. 1t was wrong for Messrs.
Elliott and Houston to send i'll their
names to Mr.. Neece as being members
of the county committee from Buffalo
Prairie and Andalusia respectively. Mr..
Huesing, chairman of the democratic
county central committee issued a call
for an election to fill vacancies in these
towns, among others. but we are told no
action was taken in either Buffalo
Prairie or Andalusia. Neither were those
towns represented at the meeting of the
committee held recently in this city, and
it was generally understood that the Va
cancies still existed. They might be
members of their town committee, and
misunderstood the situation. Since the
election call has been made however, we
are told that Danforth states Humphrey
will not submit to the election process of
solving the difficulty, and his
friends will stay away from
the polls. That would be very uuwsc
thing to do. as Mr. Neece is in duty
bound to recommend the candidate hay
ing the greater number of votes cast
on the specified day, as reported to him
by the Judges of election. AS both can
didates claim the support of the majority
of the democrats of the town, the result
of the election will be witnessed with
considerable interest.