Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-02-12
WOODMEN AT PEORIA
Members Gather From All Over
the State for Tomorrow's
Convention.
THOSE ASPIRING FOB THE OFFICES
Maj. C. w. Halves, the Popular
Head Clerk, Thus Far With
out Opposition.

Peoria, Feb. IA city in which
state gathering of Modern Woodmen
of America is being held presents on
such an occasion much the same APP
pearance that does one where a state
political convention Assem- bles. There
are on every hand the same familiar
politicians representing both PARTIES
as it happens in this case-but all wire
pulling and effeeting such combina-
tions as may be most likely to attain
desired ends. The methods peculiar
| to Woodmen are due to the fact that
the order is founded on the American
system of government. Its aim is to
be f-governing, and hence its adj
| minis tration and control are supposed
to be of the order, by the order and
for the order. And yet in the selec-
| ton of those who are TO direct the
If tirs-as is the case in politics-the
office does not seek the man, nor is it
:he rule, it need hardly be said that
all who seek are chosen. There are
always plenty of candidates on hand,
for a great society like the Modern
Woodmen has many offices to dis
perse.
Time Tried officials.
And yet many years have elapsed
since there has been change to speak
of in the general direction of the or
der. Not since the society was
snatched from the brink of destIuc-
ton decade ago has there been any
sweeping changes in the head officers.
Head Consul Northcott and Head
Clerk Halves, and many of the board
of directors remain to this day
in tie same positions in which
| hey were placed on that day
of salvation at Springfield when
Woodcraft was rescued from the in
ternecine warfare into which the Root
McKinnie factions had plunged it.
Since then the order has broken IL e
| letters that held it to the little town
of Fulton, and has otherwise leaped
the confines that prevented the spread
| of its virtues in teachings and bene-
| fits, until it now stands in the front
rank of alt fraternal insurance organi-
zatiCns. That much Of the marvellous
De vclopment that has been made in
later years is to be credited to adj
mira bic management, cannot in US
tice be denied That the superb
scheme that underlies the orders
plan and purpose has had its own eff
| feet 10 broadening its mem bership and
bringing increasing numbers each
year under its protection is a self
| evident fact.
It is a great honor to be identified
in official capacity with such an in
stitution. and it is not surprising
either that those now in high places
should desire 10 remain so, or that
| others should seek the same distinc-
| ton. As has been already told in
The ARGUS. Judge Lovett. of Peoria,
| is making an earnest canvass for the
off ;e of head consul and Hon. w. A
| Northc5tt is not disposed to let the
| Office pass without an effort. OF
course what happens at Peoria will
not necessarily determine whom the
order will select as its executive OFF,
Ger, b1t with the fate of Mr.. North
colt it may have much to DO. Num-
erous candidates are on the ground
for mem bership in the board of direc-
tors. Illinois now has but two mem
bers, Gen. j. N. Reece, of Springfield,
and Prof. Marvin Quackenbush, of
Dundee. The law of the order con-
templates that there shall be three
directors from Illinois, and so many
| there were until the appointment of
Director j. w. White, of Rock Falls,
as general attorney and the election
of L Z. Murphy, of LeavenwoIth,
Kas., AS director in his place. this
proceeding under special dispensation
of the head consul. at the time j. q.
johnson was removed as the orders
general attorney. The list of candi-
dates for the directorate includes
the present members and also
Hon. George NJ Boyd, Chicago;
George w. Kelley. Danville, and F.
81. Hopkins. Rockford.
Maj. Halves the Popular Head Clerk.
1t is highly complimentary to the
orders capable head clerk, Maj G
w Halves, that there is no opposition
to him for reelection to his present
Office, and it is hardly anticipated at
this stage that any circumstance will
develop that will bring forward an
Opposing candidate
DIR. f l.. KerDs, of Moline, Illinois
head physician. is making an
active canvass for reelection. There
are Is other candidates for the posi-
ton.
Rock Island is not here in the same
spirit that it has gone to many of the
national head camps of the order in
the past. when seeking the location of
the head office. 1t is bidder for the
next Illinois head camp, net in the
light of fighting for it, but more in
the way of ex, ending hearty, and, it
is hoped. winning. invitation on be-
half of the head Office city to the order
in Illinois to send its next state gath
ering to that city. Rock Island, in a
word, is receptive candidate for the
next Illinois biennial head camp.
DIR. j. F. Myers, of Camp %. Rock
Island. and NJ. J. McEniry, of Cam p