Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-10-25
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

OtffeheNCe Of OPiNION.
Members Of the Civic Federation Have .
Discussion ~ to Its Real Mission.
Judging from the discussion be-
tween members of the civic fedora
tion at its adjourned meeting in the
Y. NJ. G. A. building last evening
there appears to be q difference of
opinion as to what the body was
really organized for-whether to an
tsgonize singlehanded the liquor in
terests or to engagefn the crystaliz-
alton of all things looking to = the
moralizing of the city. The latter
is understood to be the object OF all
similar organizations and such is set
forth in the bylaws of the Rock ISL
and federation as being its mission.
But few of the members believed
Rock Island was up to the standard
of moral communities excepting the
saloon. and to erase this one alleged
stain from its fair name, th csc gen.
tleman thought, the civic federation
should alone resolve to accomplish.
In fact. they understood that it was
for this purpose that it was alone or
ganiZed, otherwise its existence was
of no moment. But the majority of
those present we're against such a
one-sided issue-they discredited the
idea of waring against any legiti-
mate business SO long as it remained
within the limitations Of the law.
Declares For . Ilass Meeting.
To- &c
w. H. Jordan was chosen-temporary
chairman. Rev. w. H. Marshall was
elected to fill the secretaryship va.
cancy and S. j. Woodin to the second
ward councilman's vacancy. The
central council reported that it was
agreed to hold a mass meeting some
time during November. The fedora
ton adopted the report and the
council was authorized to make ar
engagements for the meeting, which
is to consist of speeches from local
gentlemen fully qualified to define the
real workings and benefit to the COM
munity resulting from a federation.
H. d. Peniield, of Chicago, was
recommended as an able speaker on
good government by. W. b. Ferguson,
and he will in all probability be in
duced to come. c. w. Foss was like
wise suggested as a man well versed
on how city government should be
observed. A carefully arranged
program will be given and every de-
tail of the workings of the federation
fully explained.
| The committee on having the
constitution and bylaws printed was
allowed an extension of time. The
official seal of the federation was re-
ceived.
Thinks 1t Should Fight the Saloon.
In the course of general discus.
sion G. NJ. Loosely said that if the
civic federation was not organized
to fight the liquor interests, as he
understood it, he believed there was
no excuse for its existence. Rev. W.
H. Marshall shared in this opinion
also. Rev. c. E. Taylor explained
that the federation's teachings were
not antagonistic to any legitimate
business so long as it observed the
law. ''But if the saloon or any 9th.
! er business disregards the laws, >
continued Mr.. Taylor, s.somethine
should be done to make them obey
The federation's mission is not t.
fight the liquor interests any more
than any other institution acting
contrary to the city government
; We are not in the temperance bust
ness; we have a temperance organic
alton. We are working on a genera
line of lettering the condition OF
everything requiring attention. >
William Jackson was of the same
opinion as Mr.. Taylor. Replying
to a remark made that Rock Island
would be an exemplary city if the
saloon was wiped out, Mr.. jackson
said there were many other things
rejecting ill on the city to be re-
moved before it could be called
model. He mentio ned the gam bling
house and the hou ses of prostitu
ton. etc. A. NJ. Rakesley said there
were not six cities in the state tina,
would compare with Rock Island in
disobedience to law.
Adjournment was taken subject tc
the presidents call.
l
His Bones Rose Again