Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-04
AN ARTLESS ARRAY
Morning Papers Army OF
Anonymous Writers.

Anonymous Writers.
CONDUCT TTs CAMPAIGN.
A Ideal Curiosity SHOP In whssA Each
Oss Glss HE Part sssf lsaasssey Pess-
siess oe May wne Csssssbsss - ITS
Celanss.
Isat entranced
A. twilight came
within the Union q sanctum:
TIE fate~ had Glanced
This passing fame.
And for the boon thanked EN-.
The still hours passed:
II ne'er 70 get
That Eight of revelation.
As thick and fast.
The men I met
Each with his own creation.
Strange names they had.
This strange array.
And stranger still their mission.
Al strangely cad.
Yet strange to nay
They met not strangers xision.
The EDITORS riance
Met each In turn
Nor questioned one. his object.
He sought no chance
To stop or spurn
The movers Of the project;
A. head OF line
one Prbllns- walked
His bundle weighed ton:
Then with a whine
"Nox Populi'' stalked.
With reason To feast upon.
Nor yet the last:
PRO Borus' word
On matters Of discussion.
Came with blast
OF pen and sword
That wen nigh caused conclusion.
And -one Who Knows
r ,si,isen" and Taxpayer"
The man who blows.
The petitioners prayer.
AL ready for the morrow.
And Republican, too.
Found fond embrace
Awaiting anonymous action:
Words false true
Twas no disgrace.
50 twas corner satisfaction.
Nigh; wore away.
The ceascic~s tread
brought documents galore.
At break of dan
Witt look of dread
Truth" bolted from the door.
-Mdwinter Nights Dream.
There is something unique iu the
Unions invatiable methods of con-
Quoting q campaign. The oppor,ur-
ity which il affords for the reveiry
oil ambitious souls who are longing
to rush into print. to see their ideas
in cold type. and at the same time
conceal their identity from q scrutin-
izing reader is one that is relished.
a long afflicted public will testify.
The forum OF newspaper where
the people may vent their opinions
90 matters Of publc policy is q use
ful adjunct to the average COM
muntty. And oft'imes there are
those whose motives are Inst.
pubic spirited and patriotic. and
whose ideas are wise and valuable.
who through delicacy OF nature and
modesty most commendable are will
ing to write on topics OF moment. II
their names are withheld. To all
such the columns Of q Newspaper
should ever be open. But the line
ought to be drawn where gratifica.
ton Of spleen and spite OF politics 10
sought. or . self-lsudatory purp ,se IL
employed. The Unions army Of
anonymous correspondents 10 not
for the advancement of the
public interest. II Q man wants
recognition in politics. and the edi-
tor is too tired to write tn euloRy,
the ambitious individual prepares
the batch. and in IL goes. The pub.
lie seldom sees the columns the
morning paper devoted to Q whole
some discussion Of matters OF gener.
al concern, such rs public improve
ments, for the Uaion's correspond.
ents are not moved to speak except
where self interest furnishes the in
sPiration. And at such times the
true forum feature vsuishes in the
restrictions that are placed upon
those who msy not he In accord with
the notions Of the favored monde.
script contributor.
Politics tue Chance.
VIII n matters Of politics are agi-
Eating the public mild the CORE
spondents' revelry 10 at Its height.
The boundless limitations of those
who have ideas to peddle without as
Stunning responsibility for them be-
fore those who are expected to read
them. and who, nevertheless. desire
to ipfluence ara nrodocs;va ~ .