Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-25

TOUGH ELEMENT
IN THE ELECTION
No Possibility of Doubt as to
Where 1t Will Be
Found.
IT Is OPPOSED TO BLANDING
And Doing All 1t Can to Insure
Reputation of His
Sentiments.
1T Is OPPOSED TO BLANDING

The exposure by The ARGUS of last
Saturday night of the colonization of
buns and toughs in Rock Island as
part of movement to defeat V. NJ.
Blanding for mayor is regarded by the
Union as ''the coolest piece of impu-
dence The ARGUS has perpetrated in
this campaign" etc. And forthwith
the philosophic morning paper goes
on to assert that if these characters are
being brought here it is for the pur-
pose of voting the democratic ticket,
the position being taken that the re-
publicans do not need the importation
of voters, as they have nominal ma
jority in the city, etc.
1t matters not what the republican
majority in Rock Island is under
ordinary conditions, or whether the
party is responsible for the bringing
in of the toughs. The fact remains
that the element referred to is here,
and it is for the purpose of defeating
Mr.. Blanding if it can be accomplished.
There are three disreputable saloons
in Rock Island where these toughs are
being housed, cots having been pro-
vided for their accommodation. One
of these Joints is located on Market
square, another within a stones
throw of Spencer square, and another
within speaking distance of the police
station.
The Reason OF the Situation.
No good reason can be brought for
ward why, if this element is becoming
interested in the election. it should
not be antagonistic to Mr.. Banding.
He has openly avowed his position
with reference to this matter,
whereas MIR. Knox has not. Mr..
Banding has publicly declared HIM
self and is in honor bound, if elected,
to abide by his pledges. The argu-
ment that the Unien raises as to the
safety of republican majorities in
Rock Island may fool it in the present
campaign. According to the Unions
way of thinking the moral people of
Rock Island are to put politics above
the principles for which they have
fought and commended for years.
They are still to sustain the repub-
lican nominee regardless of his in
difference to burning questions
that enter into the very heart
of the people, and ignore the
man on the other side who has
had the courage to declare himself.
If that is to be the case, if the Union
no class of people, regardless of
political affiliations or moral tenden-
cies, can certainly ask or expect
q party to combat against outrageous
conditions in the future.
Position of the Two Candidates.
1t has been said that Mr.. Knox has
entered into an agreement with certain
people in the city. binding himself as
to what he will do if elected. If that
be fact, and The ARGUS does not
know whether it is or not, it will not
strengthen the candidate in the esti-
nation of the public as a whole.
What the people of this country
like is to know how man stands to
all men-they like to know where he
lives, so to speak. The people like
fearlessness and firmness in the can
didate, a man bound by no alliance
and no promise. except that made
openly to all classes of men. 1t is in
that position that Mr.. Blandiog has
placed himself in the present cam
paign. He took the position knowing
that he would offend certain ele-
ments. He is consequently asking
no quarter of those elements. If he
is. elected he will be free handed, and
is willing that the public estimate of
him shall be formed according to his
acts.
The buns and disreputables are
lined up against him-they could not
be otherwise.
1t is for the decent people to say
whether they approve of course
that will incur the antagonism of
such class.