Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-10-05
WE MISSED A CHANCE.
Three Cities Might Readily Have
Had Visit From the
President.
HE SIMPLY CIRCLES ROUND Us.

{ Could Have Been Brought Here From
GaIesburg Saturday Well Not
Should Make "A Better Effort Next Time
An Opportunity is Ofer-d Might Try
for Dewey.
The itinerary for Illinois of the train
bearing the president and party in
their western journey, shows that the
tri-cities might as well as not have
been included in the cities to be hon
ored by the nations executive in his
present tour. The presidential spe-
cial is to reach Quincy early tomor-
row morning, and the distinguish ed
party, after spending the morning
there, will run over to Peoria, where
the afternoon will be spent, and then
proceed to Galesburg. The president
and wife and cabinet will be the
guests of Galesburg tomorrow night
and until shortly before noon Satur-
day, when the special will start for
Chicago, being, as heretofore stated,
turned over to the Rock Island at La
Sale early in the afternoon, and
thence will run on into Chicago. Civ
ing, in addition to La Sale. Ottawa.
Joliet and other cities on the east
Illinois division of the Rock Island an
opportunity to greet the president.
Might Readily Have Had a Visit.
From glance at this program it
becomes apparent that run might
have been made up TO Rock Island as
well as not after leaving Gales burg,
and the Rock Island taken charge of the
train here instead of further east.
This arrangement would have taken
president little ouc of his way, as
the line from lesburg here is direct
via the Rock Island and St. Louis diTi-
sion of the Burlington, and would
not have delayed the time of arrival
in Chicago to any great extent. And
such "a plan, THE ARGUS is satisfied,
could have been carried out by the
properly directed effort. For the past
year-and-a-half the three cities have
been endeavOring to secure a visit
from the president, and at one time
he accepted, and doubtless would have
come but for the existence of the
war with Spain. Since then, how
ever, he has been clear around US
and is doing the same thing again.
Whether because it was considered
that the fact of having relatives
in Moline would be a sufficient induce
because of failure to employ the
proper course of procedure, or what
not, the three cities have failed where
less important cities and centerS have
succeeded.
Should Get "A Move Next Time.
Tomorrow will witness the second
visit Of the president to Galesburg in
wear, and this is due to the fact
that when that city wants the presi- |
dent she sends Congressman Prince
and Clark f. Carr and other promi-
nent repu blicans with pull down to
Washington, and they get him. Rock
Island has not words of envy or dis
paragement of Galesburg in her good
fortune, but the fact remains that the
three cities with Rock Island arsenal Of
fer more to directly interest the pres
dent of the United States and his advis
ers than any other point in the United
States. And vet the three cities should
blame only themselves. obably, that
they do not succeed in their laudable
ambition to entertain the head of the
nation. Another time the president
plans western trip, the three cities
should get an influential committee
together and send it to Washington to
extend the personal greetings and as
surances OF welcome on the Eart of
the people.
In the Meantime Why Not Dewey?
And in the meantime why not en-
deavor TO secure a visit from Admiral
Dewey to Rock Island arsenal? Yes |
terday the admiral promised the Chi
cago invitation committee that he |
would visit that city in Novem Der if |
his health would permit. If Dewey |
comes as far west as Chicago this To- |
calitv should see to it that he gets the |
right kinG of an invitation to include |
n run out here.
Police Court.