Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-04-30
GEST OR GIVE 1T UP.
That Is the Selfish Sentiment az
to the judiciary.
SACRIFICE OF RECOGNIZED MERIT

SACRIFICE OF RECOGNIZED MERIT.
Obstinate PsssAstsacy for Self Elevation
Th.s May Dive the CA.dldate 20 An
Other County - ie aid In the Cengrss-
sional Convsntioa.
The stubborn, selfish persisteacy
of Mr.. Gest may cost this county 81
judge just as it did congressman
TWO years ago. And the unyielding
attitude of the Gest coliar-bound
men at Galvs at that time left an
impress ON the minds of other coun-
ties that may be an element oper-
ating against Rock Island if it goes
before its associate counties declar-
ing for Gest as its only available
candidate for recognition. When
the other counties in the deadlock
convention at Galva were willing
to give or take with each other in
hopes Of bringing about . nomina-
ton Rock Island refused oil over
lures. It declined repeated offers
to compromise from both Mel
Ger and Whiteside, to even compli-
ment their candidates with Q few
votes on condition that the compli-
ment would be returned on the next
ballot, or take any chances for any,
body other than Gest, and thus stood
until the nomination went down to
the extreme south end of the dis
trict. when it might, by the sid Of
Rock Island, have gone to either
Whiteside or Mercer. Rock Island,
owing to the sntipathy OF Henry
county toward its candidate. was un-
able to nominate. Henry would
have gone to either of the other can
didstes il Rock Island had. but Rock
Island played the dog in the manger
until the other counties got together
and nominated . candidate, leaving
Rock Island alone with its Gest.
Will history repeat itself? There is
no reason to suppose that Mercer or
Whiteside. each now having . candi-
date for Judge, will help Rock ISL
and, and Henry county is no more
in love with Gest than before, espec-
tally as the friends of Candidate
Thompson, of Galesburg. of the old
district, prior to the prospects of q
reapportionment. had been working
with Gest's friends to take the judge
away from Henry and restore it to
Knox county, whereas the friends Of
Judge Peasants had maintained an
alliance with Judge Bigelow. A
mbination Of Henry. Whiteside and
Mercer will control the convention.
With the support Of Judge Peasants.
by Rock Island county, his nomina.
ton would be conceded by all Of the
other counties, and Mercer, White
side and Henry would ba left to fight
it out among themselves for the
other two. Confronted by this sit
uation it is difficult to conceive the
occasion for Rock Island discarding
q man like Judge Peasants and TAX
ing up q chronic politician whose
candidacy is always ap incentive for
war in his own county, or any other
county. whose favor is solicited in
his behalf.
The Union of this morning makes
q coarse attack on Judge Peasants
in the interest of Mr.. Gest, for whom
it seeks to make supporters on the
plea that Judge Peasants will be en-
gsged 80 largely with the higher
duties on the appellate bench that he
will not have the time to serve in the
circuit court. except when 1t pleases
his fancy. Rock Island county
has never suffered through
the honors that have come to
Judge Peasants, and certainly there
would be no prospect Of inconven.
fence now that the district is to be.
come smaller and more compact.
Instead Of being at . disadvantage
through having men Of recognised
worth and distinguished ability on
the bench, Rock Island has ON the
CONTRARY been the gamer. Fol
nearly half . century. going back to
the times Of Judges Wilkinson and
Drury. it has been accorded the
Judge because of the eminent quail.
fications of its candidate, but if it il
to voluntarily now put aside the
jurist for the politician it simply
elects to take it's chances with the
other counties of the circuit.
No Afgunent Against Plsassnes.
There is no ground for argument
that Judge Peasants should not b
renominsted. He has distinguished
himself % . jurist, and brought re.
nown to the county which has ele.
waited him. He has said that he
would esteem . reelection. He
has said 80 because he needs the
office. To fail to renominate
him would be to repudiate in
his own county at the rounding
up of his life one whose fitness
and ability the state Of Illinois
has been proud to recognize.
1t may be said that it is not becom'
ing for . democratic paper to assert
what the republican party ought te
do. but - long ~ the people are de
MED . non-partisan judiciary, as long
rs the offices nearest the people are
made the subjects Of turmoil. where
Ipolitics IL thrown into the balsnct