Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-25
Han AWFUL TIME.
What the Morning Paper Had in
Running Down a Suspicion.
JOHN T. sTAFFORD's ELIGIBILITY

JOHN T. STAFFORD'S ELIGIBILITY
VIII he NO Disposition to Seek an once
Where There is he Least Question In
voIved-An Amusing Campaign Incident
Yesterday Afternoon.
The ARGUS last evening spoke of
the question which had been raised
during the day as to the eligibility
of John I. Stafford to the office of
assistant supervisor, for which Office
he was nominated by the democratic
city township convention Monday
evening. Although a native of r ok
Island, and most of his life has been
spent here. he resided in Chicago five
years prior to July Is last, when he
came back to his first love. This
city is now his home. but the statute
prescribes that mo person shall be
eligible to any town office unless be
shall be Il legal voter, and have been
one year resident OF such town.
While the section is susceptible of
different construction. Mr.. Stafford
is not seeking an Office where. as
stated last night, there is tie remct-
est ground for belief that he is not
legally entitled to it, and hence last
evening he sent his resignation to
the democratic city-township COM
mittee, which by virtue of the reso-
luton adopted at last Monday nights
convention is empowered to supply
the vacancy.
Chasing Up the Rumor.
When the point was first discovered
that Mr.. Stafford was possibly not
eligible yesterday by Deputy County
Clerk John Rinck, the fact was
quickly communicated to the Union.
there it had decidedly exciting and
consequently unique effect. The
city editor quickly assigned two re-
Porters to the development of which
he also decided to devote his own en-
ergies. The plan was to interview
Mr.. Stafford rs promptly as possible
by all three emissaries with view to
making him compromise himself as
much as possible. The first reporter
who approached MIR. Stafford, how
ever, discovered that there was no
use for further efforts. Impressed
with the Importance Of his mission,
the man in search of Information
employed all the diplomacy at his
command. First he spoke about the
weather. and inadvertently told of
how delightful the atmosphere was.
Now he ventured upon the subject
of the coming election and Incl
dentally congratulated Mr.. Stafford
on his nomination. Then, cautiously
as the feline makes ready to spring
upon its upsuspecting prey, casually
asked Mr.. Stafford something about
when he moved back to Rock Island.
And there is where he got the knocker
that left no occasion for further at
tempts to pump the nominee.
Now, see here" was Mr.. Stat
ford's prompt response, 81 am not
evading any statutory provision that
may apply to me, if that is what you
are trying to get at. Yes. / have
heard OF the question that has come
about as to my eligibility. Ivoted
in Chicago for five years in success
sion previous to last spring, and
moved back to Rock Island July Is
last. III that bars me from being a
candidate l am out, that is all there
is to that. i will say, though. fur
ther, that l have not looked up the
statute yet and did not know until a
few moments ago that there was any
possibility of my being ineligible.
If there is a question about it, you
need not worry about my continuing
my candidacy"
And forthwith the crestfallen rep.
'esentative of the Union withdrew.
In the meantime the wires had been
kept hot with Chicago in order &c
learn just when Stafford had last
voted there. There had not been
such an exhibition of energy in the
Union Office before for many days
and all for naught. Stafford had
spoken frankly and there was no oc.
casion to run him down further.
| The Cisy-Township Committee.
The ci,y-township committee is tc
meet at the office Of &. b Marshall
10 the Mitchell & Lynde building this
evening to provide for the vacancy
on the township ticket. occasioned
by Mr.. Stafrord's withdrawal.
Discharges the Jury.
u IuJra Adams foI,v IL.