Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-12-07

vote of the mem bership. Ii is true
that Mr.. Johnson, in opposing
the adoption of the plan recommended
| by the committee, incidentally de-
clared in favor of a step-rate, but it is
equally true that the step-rate was not
an issue at that time. The only
issue was the head consul's ap-
parent disposition to force through
the head camp plan for II as
sessments per year, without first
submitting the plan to the members.
Therefore, MIR. NorthcOtt may, as
said, be technically correct in tax
ing the exception that he does,
bat he is disiugenuous. If his
desire was to have the facts under
stood, he should have stated that Mr..
Johnson opposed the plan he recon-
on the ground that the mem bershlp
had not been consulted, and he would
also have stated that Mr.. Johnson's
highly successful opposition to this
plan afforded him a pretext for re-
moving Mr.. johnson from the office of
general attorney. Thus, The ARGUS
substantially stated what was true
when it reported that Mr.. Johnson's
action at Kansas City on the question
now before the membership resulted
in his retirement from the general at
torneyship.
NOrthcott Well Treated BY The Argus
The assertion on Mr.. Northcott's
part of many instances wherein THE
ARGUS has been not only unfriendly
to him, but unfair, is exceedingly
childish, and out of all consistency
with the facts as well. The files of
this paper will support the statement
that he has received every evidence
of friendship and good feeling in in
instances. Although of
political faith, none rejoiced
more heartily in his political fortunes,
as far as they bore on his connection |
with his own party, than The ARGUS. |
In fact it is not so uncertain that !
Mr.. Northcott received his first |
boom in connection with the nomi- |
nation for lieutenant governor |
the columns of this paper. |
At all events his identity with the |
Island fought, bled and almost |
lied, gave him friends and sympa-
5hizers, of which The ARGUS was |
one, whose devotion rose above par
in those days, and it has
since been a source of pleasure to
HE ARGUS to make kindly reference
10 incidents in his public career.
If, however, Mr.. Northcott has har-
bored as an evidence of unfriendli-
ness and unfairness comments on the |
strange political aspirations that have
seemed on one or two occasions to
'eize him since last Memorial day,
t is beyond the power of human en-
leavor to help him. although it is
omitted that this is a great misfor-
une.
Source of Great Disappointment.
The ARGUS is frank to say, further,
hat it was disappointed grievously
were all the peo-
lie of Rock Island who had known
he two gentlemen, aud had en-
ertained the highest regard for
,oth-in the unjust treatment for
which Mr.. Northcott was respons-
BILE, of the orders former general
.ttorney, j. G.. Johnson. The devel-
'pment of such spirit as was therein :
hown, of one officer of an order such
IS the Woodmen toward another, sur
,rised friends and admirers of both
gentlemen alike. And while we do !
lot know how it was received by the
at large, it was regarded
Iere in Rock Island as a mean and
advantage taken against |
me who had been identified with the
yoodmen orders highest welfare
rom its earliest days, and one whom i
he people of this city had reason to t
now had guided the society sue !
essfully, so far as the duties &
evolved upon him were con- 8
erned, through a crucial period in $
Is history. Yet, notwithstanding ,
HE ARGUS expressed it's ama2ement t
t such a development and its depre- I
alton of it, it did not-because it real
zed that the orders highest good was
to all else-employ the
erms of condemnation that the cir
umstance justified.
So that while there were possibly in
ccuracies in that of which Mr.. North
oft complains, there was no
absolute misrepresentation of the
acts" and all things considered, we
hink Mr.. Northcott will, if he re-
ects, admit that the charge of I'M
airness, as far as his relations with
HE ARGUS are concerned, should not
ave come from him.