Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-11-03
WHY Is 1T THUS?
Gesrs Record Coupled with His Hope.
ana A-piratlonn


and A-psrassons.
One of the worst things for which Mr..
Gest has TO render an account is the way
In which he has treated the workingmen.
He had promised them aid--said he
would attend to the back pay bill. and
give his attention to the eight hour law
and in other ways look after their inter-
este. But instead he went to Washing
ton with lie on his lips. His back he
turned upon these same men, ignored
their claims and as good as forgot them
He added insult to injury by cuddlins
himself up in his seat while the little
legislation that had been accomplished
tending TO the workman's benefit was
being torn to pieces aud cast to the
winds. Before his eyes were the labor
ing men robbed and he uttered not
sound. Into his ears were poured the
arguments OF those who wished to see
them bereft of their rights and yet Mr..
Gest was IS silent as the tomb. He left
this city proclaiming himself the cham
pion of these men and be became their
betrayer. They placed in him trust
and he proved q traitor. And yet 10 the
face OF all this he comes back with lesden
step snd averted look and asks, what,
To be forgivens No To explain that
be was incapable of competing with sup.
erior torcss2 No. What then? He
asks that they shall smother their indig-
nation and send him once more to Wash
ington in order that he may continue his
Mandy PANTY ways and belittle the dis.
trict in the eyes of The nation.
How comes it that the doings of Mir.
Gest in Washington require such an
amouat of eSplsnst ion? Why is that at
every turn be must be confronted with
the pastf Why is it that the minds of
the people will refuse to be comfortsd1
Why has he been obliged to GO from
place 10 place 10 face an enquiring
crowd, and there explain and re-exulcin
the hand that he had in burdening the
peopleS Why are so many sophistries
put forth. why so much stretching OF the
truth why 50 many downright lies, why
evasion, double-desliug. subterfuge, all
brought into play for the purpose Of
sustaining four wears record? If this
record was as it should have been need
this man have uttered a word1 His rec
ord would have stood the test OF severest
SCRUTINY. He could have pointed with
confidence to the deeds already done.
Golden would have been his silence, and
the truth would need 70 ivocate. In
vestigation would have made him stron
ger. But how is it nov2 He and his
friends driven atevery poin,to ofFera fresh
explanation. No, having truth
for a basis the lsst explanation is worse
than the first. Theories are numerous.
but they terribly clash. First It is one
thing, then another. Whether it be the
bridge. or the viaduct, or the public
building. or the back-pay bill, or the
eight-hour law. or labor legislation, or,
worse than all TIE uubes rsbIe burdens of
| taxation as found in the Mckinley BILL
all are clamoriug and indignant witnesses
of CONDUCT tdat is indefensibe
Send me back. for want to 90, saws
this legislative we4kling. l have neg,
| lecte6 your business, Ishave had hand
in your plunder, but want to go The
wrongs are irreparable, but want to 60.
Ask me anything and | will promise.
| My record is bad bit can make amends
| viii improve. l see your needs aud aid
shall come. | have found within myself
new resources; new ideas squirting M on.
Higher SIN rising in the nations eyes.
You tell me so and am in your hands
Mould me as you will. Aspirations l
| have and see the wsv. Only send me
bsck Unstinted praise has been show
cred upon me by you. and you. Rank
me once again with the nations legisla-
| tors and will tower TO the stars with nv
exalted front.