Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-27
THE WAY TO JUDGE.
The Difference Between Apprecia
ting and Depreciating.
The CIty's Welfare and the safest ana
Best Qualified Man TO Trust In its
Charge Nc ConOchie's Hostiiiiy aud
Public improvements.

There are 10 most communities two
elements of disposition; one that has a
tendency TO appreciate everything that
aims to advance public good the city's
advantages and every effort that tends to
improve them. while the other has an aim
to depreciste all things that look to the
general advancement and welfare OF the
city and Of the people. These two infu.
ences are as opposite in their purposes
and effects, it is needless to say, as two
opposing elements could be. for one is as
elevating and promoting in it's effects rs
this other is degrading and retarding.
These two factions have come together
In the impending contest for the mayor
atty OF Rock Island and it remains for
the suffrages of the people to decide
which shall triumph,
In the democratic candidate for the
Office of executive of the city. is afforded
opportunity 10 elect man who belongs
to the first class named. man who is OF
an sppreciative disposition, who has
public interests at heart and whose idea
is to make the best OF things about us,
to improve and to advance those advan-
tagss that we possess aud to lose no OPP
portunity to acquire new ones. Mr.
Hass, the democratic nominee, is pos-
sessed of pride IN his city. is public>
spirited and progressive.
On the other hand the republican nom.
inee has always shown u tendency to de-
preciate not only the city. but all that
pertains to its progress and welfare
This assertion is simply based upon his
official conduct. The public has been
told of his compliment (?) to the Rock
Island Citizens Improvement association,
bone and sinew of the city, comprising
nearly every business man and the ma
jority of our heaviest property holders.
Yet when the plan of ordinance which
this representative and progressive body
sent into the council for its cOnsidera-
ton relative to the paving of Second
avenue, Aid. McConochie arose and said:
while don't raise objection to the mat
ter of paving Second avenue as have no
property interests there, l don't have
much respect for this mutual admira-
ton society over on the corner
don't believe in It's debating to US how to
run this city" A few seconds later after
citizen had addressed the council on
the subject OF paving. McConochie. not
satisfied with having insulted the asso-
citation once, repeated his former I'M
founded statement with the additional
remark, paving may be all right,
but we don't take any stock In those fell
lows over on the corner" To the class
OF men who compose the Citizens I'm
provement association, most men would
interpret Mr.. NcConochie's remarks as
very hostile, II not exceedingly disre>
spectful.
But this is not the only instance of
McConochies manifest opposition TO a
progressive spirit. He believes, rather in
belittling and crying down the city than
slevating and advancing it. When the
council was deliber ating on the PROPOSE
ton to sell the waterworks, McConochie
exp ressed his dsapproval to buying the
armory, (Which was perfectly just and
proper, but he again seized upon an op.
portu nifty to display something OF the
character of his disposition. az would
favor" said he, 1.-THE leasing of
the present quarters for period
not to exceed three years. ! wouldn't
care to take risk for longer time thar
that on any property below Twentieth
street, much less to buy, for there is nc
property below that line (Twentie th
street, that is worth more than twenty
i've cen ts on the dollar and at the end oil
three years it will have deprecated the
other twenty. five per cent"
Yet this man, with so little estimation
Of the value of property in the very hear,
Of the city, who has only slurs and in.
suits for the most honorable and esteemed
business men and citizens, has the mex
plicable gall to pose as candidate for
mayor. His candidacy is as preposterous
thing as could be under the circum-
stances. Who can say candidly in the
face Of his official record, which certain.
ly reflects his ideas and sentiments. that
such man la a fit mayor for city like
Rock Island on the eve of substan tial
advancementf