Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-29
LABOR'S CHANCE
Is Offered in the Candidacy Of
James w. CaVa-
naugh.
POSITION OF E. C.. BERRY
Makes Strong Plea For Workineman's
candidate-A Republicans
Views.

chance to elect typical and long time
representative of their cause to the
office of mayor of Rock Island they
have ii in this election. l know of no
one better entitled to the support of
union labor, or more creditable,
faithful and earnest advocate of the
principles which every laboring man
holds dear than James w. Cavanaugh.
If they do not embrace this opportun-
ity. it strikes me that they will show
very plainly that they do not appre-
ciate the position that any great party
may take to do honor to one of their
number. Why any laboring man
should hesitate one second in this
matter passes my comprehension"
Thus spoke Z. c. Berry, editor of
the Tri-City Unionist, and one of the
most widely known labor leaders in
the three cities this morning. Now
it happened to fall to me-" Mr.. Berry
continued, ito name a committee of
the Tri-City Labor congress four years
ago to call upon Mr.. Knox shortly af-
ter he was elected mayor the second
time and protest against one of his
proposed appointments. The fact that
the man slated was Objectionable to
union labor had been freely discussed
and it did not seem possible that Mr..
Knox could have failed TO understand
how we felt in the matter but to make
doubly sure that he knew our position,
a committee was appointed to person
ally interview him. The committee
made its mission known to the gen
tleman as politely as it knew how,
but Mr.. Knox had not yet recovered
from the effects of a victory that he
regarded as a vindication OF his first
administration, and so probably felt
that he was not beholden to anyone
but himself for his election. so with
some attempt at sarcasm he informed
the committee that it was just 20 min
utes late The committee naturally
apoligized for being 30 minutes late
and withdrew. OF course the man
was appointed.
CnvnnnuEh Most Deserving of All.
Nor can l see why union labor
should hesitate as between Cavanaugh
and McCaskrin. Mr. Cavanaugh has
never sought political preferment at
the hands of the laboring man, and
is not seeking 10 use them for his 10
litical advancement He is one of
them and deserves their unqualified
support"
Mr.. Berry is one of the best known
union labor advocates in this section
He served four terms as president of
the Tri-City Labor congress and was
also president of the Industrial Home
association. He is now serving his
fifth term as president of Tri-City
lodge. No 3SS, International Associa-
ton of Machinists He was for one
term business agent of the Tri-City
Labor congress and was a delegate to
the Iowa State Federation of Labor at
Cedar Rapids. He was a delegate TO
the convention of International Ma
chinists held at Toronto. and also a
delegate to the convention at Wilwau-
kee. Last year he was delegate to
the convention of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor at Boston and repre-
scented the Rock Island arsenal en-
proves at the time their grievance was
presented TO President Roosevelt.
Republicans Position.
A leading republican of Rock Island. |
one who seldom bolts his ticket, said
today: las among all the men in the
field for mayor, Mr.. CavanauSh is head
and shoulders the best. He is man
of common sense. is honest and strong
in character He is not a weakling.
he is not a demagogue. There has
been talk OF a citizens movement in
Rock Island. For my part know OF
no better way 10 begin this crusade
than by electing Jim Cavanaugh may
or. and l propose not only to vote for
him but to use my influence TO induce
other republicans TO do the same.