Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-08-18
RING HAS A FIGHT
opp siiiOn To Bill OF Fare PropO' ed
Tor the Spring Among the Repub-
Ii, an Rank and File Of City.
McC0N0CHIE TO STEP ASIDE
Or Promise of Support for Postoffice
or for Congress-Dr. G. G.
Craig, Sr., for Mayor.

Republicans are already building
fences for the mayOral campaign in
the spring. There is a big field OF
talent. with clements entered that
never Will agree under the same roof, if
one is TO believe the line of politi-
cal dope that is TO be heard from the
curbstOne boosters that are sent out
as the representatives of the various
interests that are to be prominently
involved in the contest for the nOmina-
ton for mayor.
# is a struggle for the existence of
the ring. There is a ring in republican
politics in the city of Rock Isl
and. as was amply demonstrated
in the last city-township cleo
Itions. 1t commands the sup
port of some of the wisest and most
influential members of the party. They
have been running matters to suit
themselves these many years. They
have sort of played JOhnny-undcr-cover
until recently. Circumstances have
arisen, of which the fight among the
gubernatorial aspirants for control of
the county was one. that have brought
the combination and its workings be
fore the lime light. That was one OF
the instances where every one was
obliged TO display his colOrs. Four
flushing would not go.
Breach VIII he Long Healing.
What happened is a page in the po-
litical history of the county with which
all familiar with the events of the past
year are cOnVCrsant 1t created a
breach that will take years TO heal
although one will hear it said that the
Ratchet has been planted. and all is
smooth and sweet as q marriage bell
among the leaders. Following the two
county conventions the convention for
the nomination of the county ticket
was captured by the combination
Those who were allied with the Yates
camp were not permitted better than
q look in at the proceedings. The ring
dictated the ticket and cOrncrCd the
organization. it already bad the city
organization. Those who were con
spicuouS in the Yates convention were
given to understand that il they ever
expected to cut any figure in local
party affairs they would he obliged to
follow the lead of the machine. That
is the situation today. The other fell
lows say they will not follow.
VIII Seek 10 Rule in Spring.
Tho continuation that sought TO
Mace one of SIS members in the conn
~ hoard as 4 stCppiuc stone TO the
shricyaIitv nomination but WAS re-
hukCd at the polls last spring by the
election OF his democratic opporent.
tho COMING sDring will seek 10 rule the
party affairs in :hc selection of the
nominee for mayor. clerk and the al
dCrmCn. Or. G.. 6. Craig Sr.. is said to
be the one favored for the mayoralty
nOmnaEion. William MCConochiC the
present incumbent of the Office. is
Underst God 10 h%v" agreed to step
aside for him. Mr.. NcCou0ch:" has not
given this promise. however, with.
ont having a string attached to it, In
the meantime he is to he groomed for
the posrofficc. the machine TO he at his
back IN the event of the election of n
republican president. II not the post
O,liCC. hc wants to be nominated for
congress. Either berth Will be suit
able.
Md. \. g. Anderson. of the Seventh
ward. is said TO 10 within The pale Of
tho combination, and is receiving con
siGCratiou as fir timber f0r the mayor
atty. AID. +. +. Robbins. of the Fifth
ward. is another one. il is whispered.