The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-08-07


If it is not asking too much, land for
the life of US we can't see the ImprOpriety
in asking, nor do we see any improprie-
ty of any competent person answering,
this part of the Eleventh congressional
district would like 10 have something
like an authoritative statement of the af
fairs of the republican members who are
going to redeem the district, and snatch
from VIM. II. Neece his place ia the
lower house of congress-not a complete
exhibit from their chairman. for that will
require time TO prepare. Perhaps not
earlier than the first of November could
the chairman prepare such statement
and by that time the general public will
have become 50 interested in the matter
that nothing less than the off ial returns
will satisfy them, but some reasonable
statement showing from what cause and
from what source the people who elected
Mr.. Niece four years ago and two years
ago are going to abandon him and cast
their fortunes with the republicans
At present all that the community
knows is what they hear and read from
editorial squibs in the Chicago Ae,cs,
Burlington Hdwbeye, and one or two
other zeal6ns republican journals some
of which are situated miles away from
the district, loudly claiming the district
beyond the possibility of controversy.
Such statements are far from being salts
factory, 1t IS too much pcpperei with
the idea of accepting the imagination OF
deeply interested exponent, and taking
for granted as true what his zeal cOmpcls
him to hope and trust will be. This,
we repeat, don't answer nor pacify anyN
one, and in the way of sedative powder,
perhaps Chairman Macarthur, who Is cen
traIly located and on the public musings,
will be kind enough to enlighten the
people OF course we would expect
everything from Chairman Macarthur,
knowing hiE to be so sCrupGtously
guarded against anything tending to de
ceive or mislead the public. lie will
not claim that the greenbackcrs are
going to desert Mr.. Neece at the
eleventh hour, for such an assertion
would be chimerical and provoke deri-
sive laughter throughout the district.
Mr.. Neece's views and votes in congress
on all questions of public interest SO near
ly coincide with the greenback policy
and doctrine that Blr Neece finds warm
if not his very warmest supporters
in that organization. His vote on thu
silver question, on the tariff bill, his warn
support given to Mr.. Morrison's resolu'
ton reducing the surplus in the treasury
and bis votes affecting the public domain
and the laboring and producing Interest,"
of this country are of that Characte
which endears him to every green5acke
of the district, and it is impossible b
force of circumstances to eStrange then
from him. The Knights of Labor, an or
ganization destined TO take very con
spicuous part in the political tnmults 0
this country. find IN Mr.. Neece senuut
at the outer gates of congress guardin
their every interest His course in secul
ing the enforcement of the eight hour la'
affecting the government employees o
Rock Island, law ignored by his prede
cessor and violated by republican ad
ministration, was so timely, pure an
Just, and to now say that these peOpl
would not appreciate such kindness, an
refuse to identify themselves in Mr.
Neece's interest. would be to charg
them with not having Il spark of graf
tude within their breast.
Neither would it be fair, nor is
plausible to claim the prohibition vot'
for the Republican nominee, let him b
whom he may. On question OF poll
tics, what right have the republican
of this district to claim or expect tt
Prohibition vote? Simply because the
candidate may be a temperance man
no reason On that theory we would
iustitiei in demanding the prohlbltlC
vote for Mr. Niece Mr.. Neece, rs III
doubleday every one in the district know
is as good temperance man ms the mo
ardent prohibitionist enlisted in the rank
But the prohibitiOnists are going befol
the people with candidate of their Ow
and the warm fresh blood, they have CT
stilled into their organization is too ne
and vigorous to destroy, at this ear
date, its distinctive character as a par
by espousing the cause of either of Il
old parties OF course isolated cases W
occur where members of the prohibitiC
party will vote Tor Mr.. Niece, VIII
others, perhaps, will support the +
publican nominee, but the most that c.
be claimed for such voting is an ev'
stand off. These are facts and figures n
easily ignored or refuted, still If anyo
knows them to be different the public b
a right to an answer just as soon as it C
be given. The mystery that envelor
these little squibs in the Chicago Me-
and Burlington Hawkeye about yankil
the district from bill Neece" has last
long enough, and it is high time such ia
cies were dissipated from the minds of
people and something substantial Civ
us.