The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-08-09
BENEFITS RUSE.
Why is he SO Strongly in Favor of a
straight Ticket at this Par
tieular Time.

convention of the greenbacK>labor
party held at the court house
on Saturday, and who were cons
versant with the political history of many
who assumed to advise and lead the as
sembly, and whose vociferous protesta>
tons of their own political cleanliness
and their zeal for the perpetuation and
advancement of the party of which they
evidently believed themselves to be The
major part, was presented such a scene
of ludicrous Inconsistency, that to al or
binary intellect it rapidly developed the
proportions of an hilarious farce. Prom
y inent among the dictatorial few might
be seen and heard the form and voice of
Grand Master Robert Bennett, a gentle
man who for the past few years has fig
ured so frequently and conspicuouslY be-
fore the public as the champion of labor,
trades and unions, and who upon this
occasion in his usual impressive manner,
strenuously urged upon the convention
the advantages to be gained by the labor
union, whose cause he advocated, by de-
featlny two of its own number for
county places, and thus enabling the re
publican party to elect IN their stead two
candidates who have neither interest nor
sympathy for the labor party, 50 dear to
to MIR. Bennett.
Let us for u moment inquire into the
depth of Mr.. Benefits sincerity and dis
Germ, if possible, his reasons at this par
ticular aud political juucture for such
violent opposition to uniting the
strength of the great party of labor with
that of the democrats, and thus insure
the success of q ticket composed eXGlu
sively of men OF his own party or those
who are in symathy with it. Is hlr. Benz
nett mercenary IN his motives? Is il be
cause their names do not appear upon a
ticket headed republican, iu lieu of
democratic? Has Mt. Bennett always
been opposed to u fusion of his party with
that of either of the old parties? Iucon>
sistency and his position on Saturday
last says yes, but the truth in a loud
voice says no. Did he not in the spring
of 1885 accept at the hands of the re-
publican party the nomination of alder
man from the Second ward of The city of
Rock Island, and did he not few days
prior to such nomination receive and en-,
terrain proposition from the democrats
to become their candidate for the posi-
ton he now holds2 Did he not submit to
the republican party the knowledge of
such proposition, and believing that par
ty to be the stronger one in that city
campaign, agreed to become its candi-
date for the place, and thus turn to the
advantage of the latter. and himself a
proposition received from personal
friends IN the democratic party?
Has he not since the beginning of his
political career been ever alert to the ad>
vantages of fusion whenever his name
happened to be placed before the people
for their support and their franchises
Was it not through his political mschin-
ations. chicanery and manipulation that
he holds profitable place in a republican
city administration elected by republican
votes? Was not his henchman, NJ H.
Mccarthy .Aplaced in his position as street
commissioner by republican adminis-
tration, and through barter and trade
with the republican party; and did he
not arouse the jeers of his fellow repre-
sentatives of the labor meeting by follow
ing the lead of Mr. Bennett in denOunc>
ing fusion with the old parties. aud 10
the same breath moving the endorsement
of Rock Island couuty's republican cans
didate for congress, undoubtedly at the
instigation Of the candidate himself, or
some of his political friends, with view
of advancing the interest of the entire re-
publican ticket and defeating men who
are far more than he consistent and cons
scientious in their support and advocacy
of the principles of their party? Do not
others sustain similar relations with the
city government because of the same iu-
fluences that made Bennett and Mccarthy
republican Office holders year ago, and
republican wire-pullers today?