Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-06-22

AS the time grows nearer for the
school election. interest in the contest
increases, and the more general be.
comes the impression that a ticket
representative of all interests and all
localities, selected carefully by citizens
who are friendly To the schools and
all that affects them, is preferable to
one self-constituted And all that can
be said to the contrary in the interest
of those who would preserve the ex-
listing regime cannot detract from the
fact that fair representation may
righteously be insisted upon by a
board of any kind that has the expen-
diture of $4,000 of the people s
money annually.
THE ARGUS knows of no rea-
son why there should be the least
persona, feeling involved in the
election, Notwithstanding the ef-
forts of the Union to arouse such a
spirit on one hand, while on the other
it insists that fair representation and
business management are not at
stake.
Fair Statement of Position.
Because The ARGUS disapproves of
some Of the practices that MIR. Rob-
bins has employed to gain control of
the board in the past year, or because
il questions the judgment of mem
Der who may have taken a place on
the board under the circumstances
surrounding his case. it does not fol-
low that it harbors i'll feeling toward
Mr. Robbins or anyone else connected
with the board. 1t feels that Mr.
Robbins erred in judgment when he
failed To consider that there were
other wards in the city besides the
Fifth. which already had two men,
bers. and insisted in another mem Der
by appointment from that ward when
a vacancy occurred, even though by
such an act he engendered iscord in
the mem beTship. And it feels that after
having served three terms of three
years each on the board, large part
of which time he has been honored
with the presidency, he has no coca
sion for complaint il others are favored
for the same place. Aud in this con-
nection it seems aproPos to say with
reference to the Union's observation
of this morning that Mr.. Marshall is
president of the board, that Mr.. Rob
bins has by accident become the rul-
ing spirit since MIR. Msrshall's election
and is now in control of the three
members, two of whom he appointed,
who are running with him for re-
election.
The statement Of these facts is JUS
tilted by the conditions that have
arisen, and are tantamount to the
principle, it may be repeated, that the
schools are too vital to be dominated
by any one man, regardless OF how he
may stand in public estimation or
how laudible his am bition to continue
ia the position in which the people
have already more than honored him.
Reasons That Commend 1t.
These are some of the reasons that
commend the ticket for which TIE
ARGUS has expressed preference:
1t is representative of all sections
of the city. No two candidates are
from the same ward.
Every candidate on it is taxpayer.
Three of the candidates have chill
dren in the public schools.
1t is absolutely nonpartisan. 1t
represents both political parties.
Three of the candidates are active
business men.
One of the candidates is a represen-
tative of the cause of organized labor.
Position of the Candidates.
One of the reports that have been
put in circulation is that the candi-
dates on the citizens ticket are not
anxious to serve if elected. None of
the candidates is DESTROYS of forcing
himself on the public. but all are de-
sirous of being of service to the pub
lie and will appreciate the honor if
elected. as shown by the following
manner in which each has expressed
himself:
Hamlin III. Hull have never been
a seeker for a public Office. L have
lived in the First ward many years
and am a property holder there and a
patron of the schools. I feel highly
honored in being selected as a candi-
date for the board Of edu cation, and
il elected will give to the duties my
best attention and Judgment.
G. III. Seidel-The honor of q place
on the citizens ticket for member OF
the board of education has copse to
me entirely without solicitation. L
probably appreciate it the more on
that account, and will do my best to
have the whole ticket elected, and if