Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-03-24
Willy MACS WAYS.
The Mayors Double Dealing with Refer
ence % Mr.. Harris.

| TO Mr.. Harris.
| The ARGUS of yesterday spoke of
! the amusing incident on the part of
| the present municipal administration
| in having the streets cleaned at this
particular time, as the first time the
| Job has been undertaken with any de-
gree of thoroughness during the last
term of the McConochie regime. 1t
will be remem bered that all through
the first two wears OF the McConochie
administration much complaint was
made of the manner in which Street
Supt. Harris discharged his duties
and of the neglect shown on every
hand OF the matter of properly clean
inc the streets Mr.. Harris was ac-
cused or every hand of Incidence and
Indifference. He made no defense in
the face of such charges, and when
his term of office expired the mayor
sought to merit public appreciation
by removing him and appointing
Capt. James Blaisdell to the position.
But the anticipated improvement
came out. The past two years have
witnessed no reformation as regards
the streets. The Job has been attend
ed to perhaps half dozen times in
the term of Capt. Blaisdell's Office, in
Guiding the work now being done,
and on which. by the way. more men
are engaged than at any time hereto
fore.
The Mayors Double Dealing.
As said before. the mayor assumed
the position OF responding to publ,
clamor when he caused Capt. Blais-
dell TO superscde Mr.. Harris. and ali
on the quiet he made many intima-
tions of the improvements to come
with the change. He asserted that
Mr.. Harris had not done his work
satisfactorily and that he had only
awaited the opportunity to make the
change. But this is where the
mayors duality manifested itself.
and little of the inner history of
the relations between the mayor and
Mr. Harris will he of considerable
interest in this connection. 1t has
been stated that Mr.. Harris
became unpopular through
the methods employed while
he was street superintendent. Now
aS to the inner facts of the case:
During all the time that Mr.. Harris
was subjected to public criticism. he
found no closer sympathizer than the
MAYOR. By his CHIEF the superinten-
dent of streets was told to pay no at
tention to what the public thought
or said. but to 90 right along in the
even tenure of his way; that as long
a. he pleased him Uhe mayor the
street superintendent need give HIM
self no concern So Mr.. Harris
went right along doing the mayors
bidding and taking the blame for it.
The mayor consoled with him in
the abuse he was getting and told
him he was all right and keep right
on doing just rs he was doing.
shameful betrayal.
The time for the election of two
wears ago approached. The mayor
went 10 Harris and reminded him
that he had stood by him when the
public was clamoring for a change,
and told him the time had come TO
show his gratitude Harris took the
hint and hustled about among his
friends and assisted in renominating
the mayor. A few days before cleo
ton Mr.. Harris had tempting
offer from Chicago auctioneer-
ing house at a good salary. Mr.. Har-
ris went to the mayor and told him
of his opportunity and his disposition
to take advantage of ii unless he had
reliable assurances that he would re-
ceive reappointment in the event of
the mayors election. The mayor
told Mr.. Harris he had no other in
tention but to reappoint him and that
he would also give him a chance to
do better work and retrieve his repu-
tation. With this understanding
Mr.. Harris declined his Chicago Of
fer and Staid with the mayor. He
had no more conversation with the
mayor on the subject. but when the
time came for appointments Mr.. Har-
ris was dismayed to find himself
shelved. while the mayor told it
about that Mr.. Harris had made such
4 miserable street superintendent
that he was obliged to remove him.
That there has been no improve
ment over the previous two years,
during Capt. Blaisdell's incum bency
of the office, is proof that the fault is
more with the administration than
with the street superintendent Of
flee.