Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-21

had failed to do. The mayors reply
in the rear of the hall himself when
the trouble began. and had Just left.
He could not see. he said. that there
was any great disturbance. or that
the police under Capt. Kramer were
not fully coping with the situation.
1t was insisted that pandemonium
was still reigning in the convention
and that the police were doing moth
ing To prevent il. and the MAYOR was
asked To go and see for himself. But
he replied that he hal been in the hall
once and doubted if he could get in
again owing to the crush at the doors.
He was then asked if he would go to
Capt. Kramer and order the stage and
the space in the rear of the hall clear
ed. The mayor said he did not be-
lieve he could get into the hall to de-
liver such an order. but suggested to
his interviewer that he deliver the
message to Capt. Kramer The news
paper man started back to the hall to
deliver the message to Kramer. but
by that time the rioters had carried
their way and the convention was
broken up, but the bowling was still
going on.
So much for the duplicity and brok-
en- faith on Chief Miller's part and the
indifference of the mayor TO his plain
duty. Miller had simply played into
Looney's hands. Capt. Kramer was his
tool to do the job. The police individ-
ually were not to blame Their orders
were TO hold Looney in his position as
chairman of the convention the mo-
ment he got on the stage. The pro-
ceedings were all rehearsed in adj
vance and thoroughly carried out.
And the mayor could not or would not
interfere.
Plenty of Policemen on Hand.
There was no occasion for the pres
ence IN the convention of more than
the four inside policemen asked for
by the committee. Had they been on
hand with orders to do their duty in
preserving order in the hall, the ser
geants-at-arms of the convention
would have had no difficulty in remov-
ing LoOney from the stage or resist
ing any of his following whose
stock in trade was noise. But in
stead policemen to the number of Is
were there, with orders to follow
Looney to the stage and see that he
not only staid on the stage, but that
he either rune the convention or that
the convention be allowed to be broL-
en- up. The program worked with the
precision of military training. Loon
cy took his place in the line of DO
llcemen. As soon as he landed on the
stage 1T was overrun by policemen.
They stood by while he struck Can't.
Lamont, man old enough to. be his
father, and did not interfere until one
of the sergeants-at-arm pointed out
to them the evidence of their
and then they escorted
Capt. Lamont to the wings of the
stage, thus depriving him of his DOW
ars as sergeant-at-arms, and rushed
Looney back before the footlights in
order that he might have a more dra-
matte poise in his efforts to rally his
limited but noisy following.
Decline to Serve On LOoney Ticket.
After the proceedings of the Loon
" gang became known Saturday
night. G. w. Henry, Valentine Dauber
been printed upon the irregular ticket
nus selected, repudiated the proceed |
ngs by announcing that the placing
If them in the field by such means
vas entirely unauthorized and that |
hey would not stand for il. None of |
hese gentlemen will accept nomina- |
ions from such source or lend dig
llty to what was done by associafinr |
heir names with il.
Notes or the Convention.
The democratic convention at Odd |
'ellows hall, attended by good men
md true, has the stamp of pure
democracy and the future will prove
hat it is the only kind that can sur
i've
Eighty-five men on their feet to |
answer to their names ought to show |
where democracy stands on Loonev- II
SIN as against 81 men in the midst of
acant chairs with no organization
10 officers, and not. even a decent re-
pect in the opinions of mankind.
If the derisive calls, Kisses and slurs
hurled at Usurper Looney by an out
aged democracy rang pleasant i'm his
ars. he is welcome To the treat.
Every democrat in Rock Island who
vas loyal to the cause of civic decen-
y has earned the respect Of his fellow
itizens regardless of politics
The Argus refuses to believe that
he republicans of Rock Island would
ave the police drive the democrats \
mt of their convention hall. which
act was accomplished because the
'olice refused TO do their duty, and
the disturbers. It's up to
he people to say word on the sub
ect
The nominees of the regular dem
cratic convention were filed with
lty Clerk Schatfer Saturday night.
hose placed in the field by the Loon
y-Miller convention were filed this
morning
The proceedings at Turner hall
eryed two good DurDCses-fo shoyy |