Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-03-26
FOR A SINGLE END.
The Extreme Interest of Phil
Miller in Knox.
THE CHRONIC PROVIDED FOR

Left MeConochie When the Latter In
formed Him That He ConId Garry Him
mo- Loncer-Took Up the Fitch Ward Can
did ate and 10 Dead Anxious for His Sue
One feature of the municipal cam
paign is the extreme interest of Phil
Miller in the election of Candidate b.
f. Knox. for there is always a reason
for Mi ler's participa ion IN politics.
Party principles cut no figure with
him. 1t is the end that justifies and
directs his cause. There could be no
stronger proof of this assumption
presented than is shown in the DISCO
lation of the McConochie-M Miller COM
bine of six years standing. Miller
had served four years as Mayor Nc
Conochie's chief of police. and the
most earnest advocate and worker
that the passing ma, or had two years
ago was the man who wore the mar
snal's tadge. Nor did friendship
cease when the two departed from the
city building together. the former, it
must be said to his credit. to take up
the honorable walks of life BY return
ing to his trade, while the latter
sought position that would give
him opportunity to spy on and con-
coct stories tending to reflect on his
successor in office, and peddie
them TO the opposition paper. and at
the same time to keep in touch with
the leaders of his party and thus Law
the wires for capturing the Office
again for which be has chronic
craving, and Tor which he alone e4-
lists.
The Falling Out.
As is said, while the McConochie
and Miller lines were cast in differ.
ent places after they were turned
out OF the city building, they still
had MEETINGS. They were held in
the quiet hours of night on Mil
ler's beat" These conferences.
these mutual exchanges of ideas,
were the one solace to Miller's lone
tramps. They grew in frequency as
winter approached, and all through
the cold and dismal months. these
two with the occasional addition of
one other to whom politics is pecu-
larily inexplicable fascination, kept
up their nightly meetings. With
them it seemed indeed to be:
1.-Two souls with but single thought,
Two hearts that beat as one,
Such devotion in friendship, such
mutual admiration that would brave
the elements and all conditions of
weather could not to the observing
mind spring from other than a patri-
otic inspiration, an ambition looking
to the elevation of principles. not
men. With this apparent (P) end in
view. these two men planned aud
plotted until the time for building
republican caucuses came on. Then
10! the pique began. 1t came about
by the ex-mayor politely, but firmly
Informing his eX-chief that in this
particular canvass they must trod
different paths. The chronic was
astounded, but his former friend in
formed him that he had been hard
load to carry and had resulted in his
defeat two years ago and would again
now, should he be fortunate enough
to be nominated. The Willy William
gave assurance of his hope, however.
that no personal offense would be
taken at his utterances. but that it
must be understood and so given out
that if he was nominated that anoth-
or one would be marshal in case of
election. Then followed the compile
ton of the McConochie slate with an
other name for Miller's as the pro-
posed head of the police force.
Miller Goes to Knox.
This settled the Miller attachment
for McCouochie, He at once cast
about for another candidate to tie
to. and when at last he settled upon
knoX the impression was created that
this was merely subterfuge on the
part of McCpnochie. who. realizing
the unpopularity OF his former chief,
set him after Knox to weaken the
latter's candidacy. Later develop
ments. however, disclosed the fact
that the Miller fondness for Knox was
sincere. It was the result IF care
fully considered course of action.
1t was his port of safety. He
dropped anchor within. dashed his
bark to that of the Fifth ward candi-
date and they have been drifting out
t gether since. The landing of one
means the landing of both-they sink