Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-08-28
The Tanner Dodge.

Here is sample Of the way think
ing republicans view the campaign
issue in Illinois. 1t is taken from
the republican Peoria Journals:
.'lu his recent campaign speeches
John x. Tanner, candidate for the
gov,rdorship Of the state, has had
very little to say with regard to the
state issues which are Of 90 much
Importance to the people OF illinois
this year. He has touched upon the
management Of the state institutions
In small degree. and il is . notice.
able fact that all he has attem pied in
this line is in the line OF defense to
what he has reason to believe Gov.
Altgeld will prove to the people OF
the state. He has attempted TO show
that the state institutions have not
been run rs economically as it has
been claimed they have been, and
that there Is not about the service
given the public in them that eflici-
ency which has been repre- sented.
Gov. Al,geld has not put forth any
claims with regard to these matters
yet the fact that Mr.. Tanner has
taken the mild stand that he has in
dicates that as fsr as safe issues are
concerned Mr.. Tanner stands on very
thin ice. He has not dared to take
up the aggressive work which has
been the characteristic OF every re-
publican candidate for the governor
ship Of the state from the beginning
Of the party. The utmost he, has
dared has been to offer a
weak defense TO what is real
ly o minor point in the
campaign which he knows his oppo.
nent is we'll prepared to make, for
MIR. Tanner knows as we'll as any
body can know that the state insti-
buttons have been run on . more in .
telligent basis and with greater
economy than at any time in their
history. However that may be. the
real fact at issue is that Mr.. Tanner
does not dare to take up the real
issues Of revenue reform and official
corruption. which are now being con-
sidered by the people whether he
wills so or not. The tax system Of
this state is no more com mensurate
with the growth. wealth and general
features of it than it 1. with the
needs and requirements OF the ma
ton. The burden OF state taxes has
been upon the poor Of the state for
many years. and especially so during
the past 8 or 10 years, and the bur-
den has been increasing until now
the people have concluded that II 10
time something is being done about
the matter. and they mean to do it.
They mean to have the great cor.
poratious in the state pay their Just
share OF the burdens Of the govern
ment, and they mean to see mat all
other privileged class,s do the same
thing. Al the same time the people
mean to see that the influence of
these great corporations in state
affairs is no more than their rights
entitle them to, and that this reign
OF corruption which has been dis
grace to American civilization and
American institutions. rs we'll rs to
the state. Is put an end to without
further delay. All this is ripe in
pubic sentiment. and the issues thus
presented are to be settled by the
people this fall. IfJ,hn r. Tanner
will not speak OF them to the
people. his opponent will.
MI. Tanner wac controlled by
the Chicago Doodle Interests.
as Was shown by the fac,
that be used his influence to defeat
the resolution for . legislative iuyes.
tigation OF the boodling practices Of
the general assembly. lie has Al.
ways been and was At that time in
close touch with the gang which
made the states houses Of lesisla.
tion houses Of thieves. He protected
them. and did %, IL 10 currently be.
iisvsd. to keep the general ssssm bly,