Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-04-08

Principal Fight on the Chief of Police
appointment, in Which Phil Miller is at
Present in the Lead With Jim Darnen
as q Close second-The Race for the
Other Jobs-Many VIII be Turned Down.
William McConochie, mayor-elect
of Rock Island, is struggling with a
problem these days, satisfactory So
luton of which he has come TO real
ize he can never reach The problem
Is to prepare slate of appointments
that will leave no sore spots in the
ranks of the republican party. 1t has
been figured up one side and down
the other, but every repetition of
the operation has brought out adj
ditional omplications-new faces at
the door way; faces that were well
coined before the casting of the bal
lots last Tuesday, but which now are
occasioning an aggravated case of night
mare to the next occupant of the city's
executive chair.
All in all, it is admitted there will
be less appointments than disappoint-
ments. The principal fight is on the
chief of police. 1t is conceded that
Phil Miller leads the procession at
present, and unless events take an
unlocked for twist he will cross the
rubber first. Phil was faithful to
McCOnOchie in the campaign just
ended. He put in his best ticks for
him, and Phil before exerting himself
in political way usually has an I'M
Outstanding that if the wind blows in
direction favorable to his party he
will be rewarded. But he should re-
mem Der, too, there are others who
aspire to don the chiefs bonnet who
have had the same sweet words whis-
pered into their ears. For instance,
Jim Darnell believes he has lead pipe
on the appointment. Jim has given
it out that he wants to be head of the
squad or nothing, and that if he does
not receive the position that it is his am
bition to secure he will cause the fur to
fly down along the party line in Rock
Island. Then there is Capt. William j
Ransom, he of marked soldierly
bearing" who has an idea that he
would make a swell, dignified looking
officer at the head of the police de-
partment. And Stephanus S. Hull
would have it distinctly understood
that he is i'll the race until the finish.
He thinks merit should be considered
in connection with such an important
He has merit to burn.
Steve has worn the blue before, has
been u deputy sheriff, and with the
assistance of Bill Pinkerton has solved
many dark mysteries. johnny Bender,
George Long Heinie Empke and Swan
the ground, but any one would be will
10 IN nj orb
captain in case he cannot alight notch
higher.
Charles Hastings. Henry Blocker
the berth of j. ID. Collier, the present
efficient chief of the fire department.
Health Com mIssIonership.
DrS. j. r. Hollowbush and G. G.
Craig, DR., feel equally certain that
they will be the next health commits
sioner. Each has evidently received
assurances from the powers that be
that has led him to believe that he
will be the lucky man. DR.. j. F.
Myers, rather than have any dissension
in the ranks, would accept the APP
pointment as compromise candidate.
Drs. j. De Silva and S. b. Hall are
candidates.
Charles Witherell seems to be pos
sessed of a marked fascination for TAX
ing the places of such capable men in
any capacity as John A Murrin, and
hence feels peculiarly fitted for the
of the waterworks.
Frank Andrews could make ar
to get AWAY from the
sherifI's office in case he was rendered
the appointment. And our old neigh
Dor, Ezra Wilcher. has been seen up
town of nights lately. He could be
induced, it is thought, if the proper
influences were brought into play.
1t is said there are upward of one |
hundred applicants for beats. Johnny
Mulqueen has been wearing his blue |
trousers since election day. John
was formerly sergeant at the station.
Cousin Charley Moody, he of Stand
ard oil Wagon" fame. is yearning |
for an opportunity to resurrect that |
old blue, brass-buttOned coat, in |
which he appeared so fierce when he
swung the billy a few years back.
Cousin Charley really was one of the |
finest.
Samuel Nelson, father of the ex-
alderman of the Seventh, would like |
20 move his household goods to the |
oil gate He has been there before |
John Williams is also pulling hard
Tor the berth. as are IS others.
Stephen O'ConnOr and John Lloyd. |
ispirants for the street commission
ership. are trotting neck and neck. |
Beware of dark horse, fellows.
Joe Rosenfield has n rival in Charley /
Yerbury. Joe is confident. however. !
hat he will be plumbing inspector.
Still Joe should not forget that |
,ne cannot always sometimes tell
about those things, for Charley Yer
bury is travelling n pretty warm heat.
md is proving to the mayor-elect that
ne carries some lead in the commun-
ty, too.
Breaking the News.