Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-04
THE FACTS AS THEY ARE.
Political Misrepresentation of an
Army Order.
The Truth as Far as it Pertains 10 the
Rock Island ArsenaI---The Only
Changes Made.

The Union of this morning contains a
lengthy milk and water article which
purports to be an honest statemen Mt re-
garding the recently published order of
Gen. Benet as it applies to Rock Island
arsenal. but is in truth very long drawn
effort to give Congressman Gest boost,
and is an exceedingly frail one at that.
The associated press telegram sent out
from Washington last week, which the
Union uses as text and which is an or
der from Gen. Benet setting forth that at |
the different armories and army posts |
throughout the United States the COM
manders will hereafter in employing or
discharging employees of any and all
grades, other things being equal and
qualifications satisfactory, democrats will
be favored, the object being to divide the
force in the different grades gradually be-
democrats and republicans" was the sub
stance of an order-or request, rather
received here two years ago. 1t was cir
culated among the arsenals and manu>
featuring depots, such as the arsenal and
armory here, nearly or quite three years
SGD, or before Col. Baylor was trans
ferred from his post in New York
to this post. And there was Just one
instance of removal under it. An
engineer on the government draw
bridge who had occupied the place from
the Gay the bridge was completed was
discharged. He was republican living
in Davenport and his removal came at
the instance of exertions on the part of
Congressman Jerry Murphy, of the Dav>
export district There was no particular
objection TO his being a republican, but
he had become so offensive in his par
tianship that he was removed and his
place filled by democrat.
Another telegram sent out for political
effect was one stating that Gen. Benets
circular to commandants of armories
directing them to give the preference to
democrats in making appointments came
to light through the discharge of a SOL
dier's widow ard child at the Rock Island
arsenal, who when they asked why they
were selected for discharge were shown
the letter" There is not an iota of truth
in this remark. No women and children
are employed at the Rock Island arsenal
and consequently no such thing could
happen even if Col. Baylor had received
such an order.
The telegram also says that Senator
Hall says the committee will examin.
Secretary Endicott and General Benet a.
well as a number of former employees o
the arsenal who are said to have beer
discharged TO make room for Democrat,
voters"
No such transaction has been known a
the arsenal since Col. Baylor becam
commandsnt-an the instance referre,
to oftthe discharge of the engineer, wa
the only one that came to public notice
during the period of Col Flagler's com
mand The Democrat Gazette SAYS Co
Baylor, today. doesn't know the polite
of single workman on the island. II
says so plainly and says that, further
more, he doesn't want to know. All b
desires is, that the men employed unde
him be competent, industrious, faithful
When he had appointments of seven c
eight civil guards for duty at the govern
ment bridges and the west guard house
be did not ask word as to the politics {
the numerous applicants for the places
in number ten times greater than the si
uations to be filled. He decided tbs
veteran soldiers should be appointed, al
all he wanted to know was that they hs
the strength, were of good habits al
that their army record was good. {
never thought of their politics. And o
soldiers were given the places. E
wanted them because they could unde
stand the meaning of orders and cou
carry them out, much better than m
who had never had experience in qua
duty.
The ARGUS has been informed by o
: who claims to be posted, that if the pc
tics of the men on the island were inve
tigated, it would be found that there &
not more than five democrats in all Il
workmen employed there.