Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-06-19
ACTION,
Modern Woodmen Executive
Councils Treatment of
J. G. Johnson.
SUPERSEDED BY DIRECTOR WHITE.


movaI of One of the Most Prominent
OmciaIs Connected With the Manage
ment of the Orders Affairs.
The first division of any kind that
has occurred in the executive coun-
ell of the Modern Woodmen of Ameri-
ca since the famous Springfield meet
ing of the head camp, when the So
ciety came safely out of the throes of
internal strife due to the selfish am
billions of single man in the direc-
ton of its affairs, characterized Satur-
DAYS proceedings at the head office
building. And the outcome of the
contention, is as disappointing to
the people of Rock Island-and
ton likely-as is the fact that
the unpleasant differences should have
arisen in the governing board of the
order. 1t seems difficult of belief for
any one who has followed the order
in all that has happened affecting its
most vital welfare in recent years
that the bone of contention should
have been the question of the
appointment of the orders general
attorney. And from the best informa-
ton THE ARGUS can gain the move
that involved a course other than the
reappointment of Hon. j. G.. johnson
to the office he has filled so long and
so acceptably, was until very
late date furtherest from the
minds of all except those who were
included in the plan to replace him.
The subject appears to have occupied
the greater part of the day in the
proceedings of the board, and it was
as late as $50 in the afternoon when
it was finally disposed of. On the
first intimation of move against Mr.
johnson, those of the executive coun-
Gil who were loyal to him apparently
sought to defer action on the appoint
ment of n general attorney until next
Tuesday, but motion TO that effect
was defeated by the votes of
Head Consul Northcott and the
Illinois directors, Messrs. Marvin
Quackenbush and j. w. White
and Gen. j. n. Reece; those who voted
for postponement being Directors A.
K. Talbot, of Lincoln, Neb., and b.
ID. Smith, of Mankato. Mimi, and Head
Clerk c. w. Halves. Following this
motion as to the retention of Mr.. John
gentleman, those opposed to him
being Head Consul Northcott and di
rectors White, Quacken bush and Reece,
and those favorable to him, Directors
TalLst and Smith and Head Clerk
Halves. Director White thereupon be-
came a candidate for the office of gen
eral attorney, but before decided
action was taken a conference was
held, during which Mr.. johnson was
appraised for the first time of indispo-
sitlon on the part of any to reflect
him, but he magnanimously advo-
Gated the election of his successor by
the unanimous vote of the board, and
upon reassembling Mr.. White was
elec, ed, receiving all the votes of the
executive council but his own, not
voting himself. Mr.. White thereupon
resigned as a mem Der of the board of
directors, and his resignation was ac-
cepted. This concluded the proceed
ings of the day.
While all the members of the eXecu-
tive council were reticent after the ac
ton it was plainly to be seen that many
O. them, even to some of those who
had voted against Mr.. johnson were
deeply affected by what had been
done. Reasons, of course, were Of
fered by none. 1t was subject that
all shrank from discussing. That the
move originated with and was planned
by Head Consul Northcott and was
executed through his control of all
the Illinois members of the board
is the impression that prevails. That
there were personal motives involved is
shown in the very nature of the pro-
ceedings-
Occasions General Regret.
The removal of Mr.. Johnson, as
said before, has occasioned general
regret in Rock Island. Next to the
head clerk no one connected with the
order has so many warm friends in
Rock Island as he has. While
in large measure the attach
ments which have sprung up between
this CITY and Mr.. johnson are due to
the associations formed during
the protracted legal struggles
growing out of the removal of
the head office from Fulton to this