Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-28

er's mittimus. the verdict of the jury.
all the testimony taken before the
coroneF-the complete record of the
case. The petition asks simply that
the Judge look over the record. study
the evidence. and If he finds no Of
fense against the law that he order
that the mayor be released: if he finds
one single Offense against the law.
that he order that the mayor be re-
manded TO the custody of the sheriff. =
Judge Tuthil. after considering the
case. ordered that Mayor Harrison he
Immediately discharged from custody
in connection with the responsibility
for the loss OF life in the IroquoiS the
afre fire. The Judge declared the may
or was in no way whatever guilty or
Lin BILE. and that the coroners jury in
ordering The mayor held to the grand
jury had put an unjust stigma upon
the mayor. who had failed in no par
ticular whatever either in omission or
commission. In delivering his 0pin-
ion Judge TuthilI said: Il have gone
over the testimony Of Fire Marshal
Mnsham and Binding Commits >ioner
Williams and the mayor particularly
and can say without qualification or
hesitation. that | find not one word in
the evidence. 20 far a. | have exam
med IL. which tends even remotely. in
nv Judgment. to show the MAYOR had
any knowledge of this matter or shat
he was in any respect negligent of any
duty imposed upon him by laws or
rules that commonly apply to persons
who are responsible for the safety of
others" Judge TuthiIl then reviewed
the Investigation into the condition of
the theatres ordered by the mayor
the report Of the Investigators show
ing that none Of the theatres were
complying with ordinances. He said
the mayor promptly presented this re-
port To the council. and il was by that
body sent TO the committee "a i us
nal with reports. and that in this par
ticular the mayor acted promptly and
in line with his duty. For the mayor
To act otherwise than he did when he
submitted the report to the council.
and TO close theatres. simply upon Il
committee report. would have result
ed in universal condemnation. He de-
clared the mayor did what any MAYOR
Nphlu nave done lie IL the most
careful and cautious man that could
occupy the mayors chair. and could
not have done more than he did"
said Judge Tuthill.
.hIdge Tuthill said he could not con-
ceive how the mayor could be held
responsible. He thought il would he
just a. logical TO hold the president
of the United States responsible for
the loss of life in a fire that might de-
str0y the building at West Point or
Annapolis. or 10 hold the governor re-
sp0n>ible should lives he lost i'm fire
AT an insane asylum.
Judge Tmthill did not hesitate to
say. in view of the evidence and I'M
der the facts admitted by the state.
that it was Il very great wrong Ito
place upon the mayor of the city this
unde>erved stigma. a. | find il to he.
without any basis in law or in facts
as they have been certified to before
the cornner's jury. ======
At the time of the terrible IroouoiS
disaster. when the bloodthirsty jour-
mails Of Chicago. in spirit of spite.
were seeking TO involve the mayor in
possibility. The Argus spoke Of the
obvious unfairne>S of such proceed
ure. II has remained for high and
just tribunal 10 give to the mayor
complete Vindication. and he GENES
ont of the proceedings triumphant
over his enemies both in his own party
and in the opposing political organic
ation.