Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-06-25
STUBBORNLY FOUGHT.
Yesterdays School Election an Elk
citing Affair.
AND RATHER DIsGRACEFUL, TOO.
PRESIDENT Thomas Defeated by the
Saw Mill Influence and ID. J..
Sears Etc cted--.Dr. Bernhard the
Oiher Winner.

Acsterudy SCHOOL election OcCaSl0ned
more interest and excitement than any
contest of the kind that has ever occurred
at the polls in Rock Island. In fact the
hottest kind of municipal election sci
dom causes more feeling or brings out a
larger vote. The number of ballots
polled at the single voting place the
Wideawake hose house-was 1915.
These votes were distributed among the
several candidates as follows: DIR. Carl
Bernhardi, 1924; David ]. Sears, 1, 1912;
T. Ell. Thomas, 1000; W. s. Knowlton,
$40; nj. E. Sweeney, 40; E. W. McCono-
chic. l; r. Terrell, 1. This insuring the
election of DR.. Bernhard and Mr.. Sears,
whose combination ticket was largely
responsible for their victory, while Mr..
Thomas received in addition to ballots
that were cast bearing his name with
those of either Bernhardi. Sears or Knowl-
ton, over 800 straight single tickets, a
marked com pliment and evidence of con-
fidence in him solely that was not con>
ferred upon any of the other candidates,
though all the others except Sears, re
ceived single tickets. DIR. Bernhardis
election was conceded early in the day.
while MIR. Enowlton gave up by noon,
and Mr.. Sweeney's candidacy from the
first served no purpose other than Ia
defeat the president of the board, who has
proven himself one of the best friends of
our public school system. The action.
therefore. On the part of those whu
prompted and supported Mr.. Sweeney's
candidacy was in no sense move in the
sustenance of good schools.
The public is generally familiar with
the violent, and in great measure vicious
opposition shown to Mr.. Thomas by Mr..
J. j. Reimers, who not only hurled
against him all his personal efforts and
the cooperation of the so-cslled A. p. A.
in Rock Islsn nd, but he repeated the same
disgraceful tactics employed toward Dr..
Carter year ago of whipping his EN-
ployes into line and hauling them down
in wagon loads to vote against man
against whom he seems to enter tain re-
lentless personal grudge. A year ago
when DR.. Carter, not having quite so much
to contend with. was elected despite Mr.
Reimer's opposition, he received 87s
votes to S37 for Sears, while Capt. Dur
ham had 1899, DR.. Carter having 52t
straight votes. But there was a long and
well planned plot back of the purpose
which defeated Mr.. Thomas yesterday. l,
had been long planned, and when Mr.
Thomas, wi III the unanimous cooperation
of the other members of the board lss
April, properly refused to allow the Amer
lean Protective Assoc istiou to present
flags to the schools in the name Of
the order, though expressing 8
hearty willingness TO accept them
from citizens and individuals, there
was a feeling created toward Mr..
Thomas which Mr.. Reimers did not seek
to allay. Mr. Thomas realized as wei
as anyone, that his action would make
enemies, but he saw his duty clearly de-
fined and he adhered to it fearlessly. II
it is in any way due to this that he has
been defeated. he has no reason to feel
otherwise than proud, for despite his de.
feat he received vote that came from
q sense Of admiration and good
will, while Mr.. Sears strength
come chiefly from two sources-a class
of men who voted without regard to thei
own will or residence, and a factions
feeling within the ranks of a par
ty which has created broad and no
soon to be healed breach.
But the tactics outlined were no
the only ones employed. Basely fals'
and venomous reports were started il
circulation from some source. and calcu
lated to do Mr.. Thomas iDj ury-whici
they did. One of these was that Fathe
Mackin had instructed his congregation
at st. Joseph's church last Sunday to vot
| for Mr. Thomas for member of the bOart
of education. This was fabrication
manufactured out of whole cloth and with
out the least foundation whatever. Blu
it had its weight and contributed in 1t
way to Mr. Thomas defeat, for while b
was honored by the support of nearl
every business man in the city. Their
were representative citizens who thought
lessly acce pied the report as truth ant
voted accordingly The misrepresenta
tions thus created must. however. soOne
or later come back on those who started
them, whether individually or collectively
and the less son to be derived from the
election is that people should be careful
how they Judge or condemn Others simpl
because they identify themselves with
church. or, fail to connect themselves will
an order whose aim is opposition to an
religious denomination.
The cleo ton caused considerable fric
ton, and just after the polls closed rio
lseemed imminent and was only averted b.
Marshal Miller and his police. Mr.. Rel
mers had repeatedly spoken very disre
specially of the Irish people, and thl
was resented by WIN. Corcoran. VIII
lstruck Reimers. The latter seized hi
whip but was hurried into his carriage D.
friends and driven rapidly away. Toda
a warrant was issued for Corcoran'
arrest This morning there was word
lIy encounter between Simon Burn
and Pete Morgart. growing out @