Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-09-07


and struggling for political recognition
even to trip down into the semi
civilized country where Jesse James and
his gang hold swsy-thst he might be
appointed a missionary among the saw
ages, has been rewarded. Wells did get
an office when he threw himself among
the banditti of the southwest; it was
tough Office, that Of city marshal, but il
had political ring to it and the Boss
was satisfied, for the time being.
But Wells had lingering. I'M
quenchsble thirst for something bet
ter In the political line; his
appetite was for federal pap and he came
back to Rock Island and entered the
ranks of the repub lean party, to do, to
| dare-to die il need be for the accom-,
plishment of his ambition. He became
soldier in the service of the G. o. p. and
performed every act that comes between
torch bearer and political boss. He got
foot hold and he made up his mind that
he wound snatch he first opportunity
that came to achieve political promi
| hence. The opportunity came and Wells
! seized it. 1t was after the whirlwind of
republican enthusiasm so soon after SUBJ
! dued and quenchsd. swept over the
county in Slater Blaine's nomination
for the presidency. Wells saw amid the
confusion Of the hour chance to rise
above the turmoil and to stand out in
bold relief as politician. He saw that
the man of Maine Mt eded consolation and
encouragement and he sent it, II flew
over the wire from lillian to Maine and
here is what it was
BLACK Hawk is solid for Blaine"
The prediction seemed to be safe
one. as the township of Black Hawk had
always been republican up to that time,
but Wells had practically pledged him
self to keep it in line. Wells knew
that Blaine would expect that of
him now, and so he went to work. He
conducted one of the noIsitst campaigns
ever known in the county. and as a con-
sequence Cleveland carried the township
by four majority and Blaine has never
forgiven Wells to this day.
Wells died in Black Hawk when Blaine
died with the nation. He came to Rock
Island and enlisted az boss in the repub~
licsn ranks and was made chairman Of
the republican county committee. He
next came into prominence in 1886. when
he made himself ridiculous through his
efforts in behalf of Lis protege, Parson
Morgan, for sheriff. Morgan was slain,
and the boss barely escaped with his life,
and as a result Congre ssman Gest was at
the same time almost deprived of po-
iitical career, by reason of the parsons
candidacy. But Wells was irrepressible,
and last year up he bobbed again. He
organized marching clubs, paved the
earth, wrote campaign documents and
made any amount of noise to keep him>
self before the public; and now his re-
ward has come, in the shape of the most
desirable gift in the Eleventh congress
sional district-the Rock Island postoffice.
1t has been known ever since
Congressman Costs last trip to WASH
ington that there was likely, at any time,
to be change in the Rock Island post
office. In the past few days, it became
apparent that Boss Wells was to be the
lucky man, and the ARGUS representative
accosted him on the subject yesterday
and asked him if he die not know that
such was the case; but he looked wise
and said nothing Then when the scribe
asked il he did expect that Saturday. at
the outside, would bring the news of his
appointment, he looked wiser and said
less. But last night the telegraph
brought the news of the boss good
fortune; he had been ma ned by the presi>
dent for the postoffice at Rock Island;
appointed by ''civil service" admins
tration. by the head of party pledging
civil service in its platform, to succeed in
ONCE uemOCtht iuCuilUcnt WIN hnu
held the position but year, and to drive
out the representative o. party upon
whose suffrages the republicans had been
permitted to retain possession of the Of
fee. This. under Grover Cleveland's
faithfulness to q promise that Ben Har-
rison has, in this instan ce-as in many
others-fsgrsntly violated. The change
is forcible illustration Of republican
gratitude and republican civil service re-
form.
Maj. Halves remained undisturbed as
postmaster until the expiration of his
term of office. and almos, throughout the
entire democratic administration. A
democrat was not appointed until June
10 of last year, and did not assume
charge until September 15-hence has
not been in Office yet year: whereas the
republican party had control during
nearly four years of democratic admins,
tratiou