Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-21

MALICE is SHOWN.
w. c. Looney Seeks to Deprive
Rock Island Club of It's
Charter.
QUO WARRANT0 PROCEEDINGS
Affidavit Filed Says That Club Has
Been Dispensing Liquor Without
State License.

Upon the affidavit of one William c.
Looney, quo warranto proceedings
were commenced in the circuit court
last evening against the Rock Island
club. asking that this organization
show why its charter should not be for
feited, the principal allegation being
that liquors are dispensed in the build
ing without compliance with the dram
shop act of the state of Illinois. The
proceedings are commenced through
States Attorney J. X Scott.
The affidavit sets forth the allegation
that the club is organized under the
act providing for corporations not for
pecuniary profit, the object being stat
ed as follows:
The object of the club shall be to
encourage and promote united action
in the manufacturing and mercantile
development of the city of Rock ISL
and, 20 further the improvement and
adjournment of said city. and, as indi-
viduals TO said objects and to facilitate
their attainment. to furnish and main
tain p club room with such accOmoda-
tons as are required during the inter
walls of business for the diversion and
entertainments of its members
Looney makes affidavit with refer
ence to the building occupied by the
club. the number of members-which
he says is about 1O0-the membership
fees, and the meals served there. He
says that aside from the membership
dues and the income from the meals
served there, no revenue goes to the
club except from the dispensation of
liquors. He says that the club holds
a government license, but does not
comply with the law of Illinois, that
the club issues checks for a certain
amount of liquor to its members
through the steward.
Wants Charter Forfeited.
The conclusion of the petition TO the
court is as follows: "Whereupon the
said states attorney for the said peo-
pie and in the name and authority
thereof prays the consideration of the
court here on the premises and due
process of law against the said The
Rock Island Club to make it answer
to the said people by what warrant
it claims to hold and exercise said lib
critics and franchises aforesaid. and
further to answer why it's said charter
should not be declared forfeited and
said 1 he Rock Island club be dissolved
as corporation for its misuse of the
rights and franchises granted to it in
and by its said charter on account of
its mIsuser thereof"
Real Mover i'm Proceedings.
The use of the name of w. c. Looney
in these proceedings is of course, pure
ly subterfuge. the ruling spirit being
none other. it is generally conceded.
than John LOoney. That a 3-months
resident of Rock Island should thus at
tempt TO destroy the usefulness of an
institution which has proved in the
highest sense and in every sense, an
agency for the real good and up-buiId-
ing OF the city, is however, no less alb
surd on the face of it than that the &C
tual complainant John Looney should
undertake to morally regulate any
thing. A known agent of, and
go-between, in the saloon inter.
ests and himself the promoter and
proprietor of an alley saloon, which
is SO conducted as to be an evasion
VI TIT STATUTES llc dCuutI CIlC4IL
for the license for which if known
would afford an index to his methods
there can be but two constructions plaC
ed upon his attitude in the present in
stance: Either it is but the mere and
further qualification of the spirit of
malice and hatred toward all things
that he does not control, or il is a move
clearly in the interests of the saloons.
What the Rock Island club, an institu-
ton which has flourished for six years
in the community, has done to incur
the animus of this individual is of
course unknown. Yet it was a matter
of common knowledge that during the
last session of the grand jury he made
a desperate attempt to secure indict-
ments against the club officers and
signauv failed. Without a case in
court then and without influence per
sonal or otherwise since. he seeks TO
invoke the power of the law to wTeak
vengeance on business and social or
ganization which is composed of the
business and other representative men
of the city and has for its object the
furt ne rance of the city's welfare.
Club standing Established.
The worth and standing of the Rock
Island club needs no argument here.
What II has accomplished I'm the sense
of public spirit and for the public good
is 40. disputed. On its social side, IL
has furnished a club which stands
amoag the best and most influential in
the tate. Its club house affords the
oppo! tunity for the gathering of bust
ness men in social way
for the entertainment of visitors
whether they come to Rock Island to
attend conventions or individually II
is nc. a public tipping house or a
dram shop. Its privileges are conhn
ed exclusively 20 it's members-which
may Re one reason for the malicious
move against II. II has not sought TO
evad = or circumvent the law in any re