Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-13
MADE A MISSTEP.

Nominated Geo. W. Gamble for clerk
-..Unabie to Explain or Excuse HIS
Ineompeteney.
The revelation of Geo. W. CANDLES
incompetency. his utter inability to suc>
cessfully and acceptably discharge his
duties as deputy circuit clerk Of Rock
Island county up to the time he was re.
leased by Mr.. Bowman in order that that
official might have the affairs in his office
Strengthened out before turning over bis
office to his successor next December,
has created great mmotion in the
ranks of the republican leaders in the
county. Boss Wells and his lieuten-
ants have realized for some time the load
they were carrying in " Mara. but they gave
themselves no particular concern as TO
Gamble, hoping that the claimed repub-
lican majority in the county would carry
him through. They did not like to
speak OF him any more than was neces-
sary or to bring him personally before
the public, preferring simply to
let him 60 as part of the
ticket and trusting that would
pull him through. When the fact be.
came apparent that this was to be as it
was two years ago when the democratic
party elected the sheriff and treasurer,
contest between men and that the natural
fitness of the respective candidates would
be taken into consideration by the voters,
the republican ring which had planned
and made the ticket that is now offered
became alarmed, and all kinds of excuses
have been improvised to let Gamble out
of his embarrassment and smother up bis
fsilings and shortcomings until after
election day.
The first move was a self evident scheme
on the part of Gamble himself and others
to get Circuit Clerk Bowman to contrib
ute as his share to campaign work, "a letter
protecting Gamble, but in no way, how
ever, denying that he did not discharge
his duties as deputy competently. GAM
ble's cheek in asking such favor of his
friend Bowman. after having beaten him
out OF his office, was on a par with
his treachery toward his superior
officer. His next step should
be to ask Bowman to publish
statement that he was competent as
sistant. and that he was IN every way hoL-
orable and straightforward in his political
dealings. One would naturally think
that Gamble could not look Bowman in
the face after acting as he did, but hs
has forgotten great many of the nasura
attributes of man in his eagerness fol
office. and desires to better his OWL
political fortunes. The ARGUS does moi
desire to NEEDLE with the private tran
ssctions of Gamble and Bowman, onl,
in so far as there is principle of honol
involved, and in so much it is the RICH
of all to speak.
The next step that has been ordered
by the republican bosses, is that ever!
stump speaker from this on until electio
day shall use his best exertions TO explai
and excuse the fact that Gamble wa
unable to competently attend to tn
duties of deputy circuit clerk. SsVill
Johnston made point of this 10 hi
speech at the Sixth ward flag raising las
evening. Like all of Ssville's poll
ticsl efforts however, it was fai
ure so far as its object was cor
cerned, though a very good thin
for the democratic ticket Ssville, b
the way. has mack of favoring the den
ocrsls At Joslin the other night b
abusive and unwsrrsnted attack upt
the president turned three republic,
voters to the side of Mr. Cleveland. II
democratic county committee ought
pay the republican county committee f
Mr.. Johnston's services. We hope
will be kept on the stump to the Ia
moment of the campaign. But to bis 9
tempt to befriend the republican nomin
for clerk last evening. Johnston frank
acknowledged that Gamble was one hu
bred instruments behind in his recordi
when he left the circuit clerks office, b
said he had not the time to do it'll
the county ought to have hired an ass
tant to help him through with his wor
Nice suggestions for q county in
financial condition OF Rock Island cot
ty isn't it? II we remember rightly ,ho'
ever, considerable money was allowed
the board during CANDLES occupancy
the Office of deputy for additional Gle
hire in the circuit clerks Office.
y is further remarkable fact Il
. no deputy preceding Mr.. Gamble
SO demonstrated his inability to dischsr
the duties required of the office.
don't see the necessity of an addition
clerk there now as Mr. Johnston sugges
nor has there been any apparent need
such provision since Gamble stepped o
1t is quite likely, too, that the board
supervisors is not seriously impress
with such an idea, as only yesterday
cut the salary of the circuit clerk fr
81, 700 to 81, 500 for the next four yea
and that of deputy from $1,000 to So
per snnum. 1t is not apparent from Il
that the supervisors are inclined to e
= pend any more money for salaries in
circuit clerks Office just now.
The Day Of AtOnement.
SATURDAY. will he the Dav of Alto