Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-04-10


since determined that it would not be-
come involved in the selection OF the man
who might, in the Judgment of the
mayor. be deemed fit for the office.
1t has absolutely no confidence in the
present mayor. whose political dema-
sogy and Irnmbuegery have become nau-
seating, ard whose official failure is
stamped by his own acts For six
months of his administration
The Argus treated Mr.. Nc
Caskrin with more than fair
ness. 1t sought diligently to uphold
his official acts. and 10 Sustain him in
what might prove a credi table admin
istration. Notwithstandi ng that it
sought no favorS at his hands and re-
ceiyed none. 1t was nevertheless at all
times friendly disposed to him in his
official capacity, standing by him in
the face of venomous and fiendish at
| tack and attempt to accomplish his
| ruin for the mere qualification OF per
sonal grudxs and spleen. Though mis-
understood and blamed by lis best
friends and Sought by its enemies who
sought unscrupulously to ally it politf
calIy and otherswiSe with the NIcCask-
rim idea. The Argus did not WAIVER in
what it thought it's duty to any official
whom the majority of the people had
reposed confidence in, until his official
course became intolerable. 1t was
then no longer q duty to the official.
but TO the people. With what degree
of gratitude the former attitude of this
paper was repaid by Mayor McCaskrin
at the first moment that issue was TAX
.rla -, i'm.
potency of police regulation, the peo-
/ pie know. Base insult Snd vile slam
der was the reward.
OF the unpTecented official acts of
the mayor, running from one extreme
to another according to whim or tenn
permanent, slandering aldermen and
other city officials who disagreed with
| him. forsaking every semblance of dis
! nifty becoming his station. destroying
property and making such general
spectacle of himself as 10 bring down
upon his shoulders the rebuke of the
| council. the people need no reminder.
They have suffered the chagrin ana
humiliation and have ceased to respect.
the so-called head OF the municipal gov
eminent
Just so much in brief review of the
first year of the NcCaskrin administra-
| ton and in explanation of The Argus
determination not to become identified
with anything he may DO or TO become
sponsor for any appointment he may
now make.
| Last Wednesday night the mayor
named Alderman John p. Sexton as
chief OF police to fill the vacancy which
| had existed for the greater part OF
| year. The appointment was generally
regarded as a personal one, a reward
for the loyalty on the part of Alder
man Sexton 70 the mayor throughout
the first year of his term, during which
the Fourth ward councilman had stood
faithfully by him, coming to his de-
| Tense on every occasion where an is
sue arose with the municipal body. and
being ever jealous of his welfare in
whatever might come up. Certainly
the mayor owed political consideration
to Sexton, il he owed il to anyone.
Hence the appointment of the long de-
layed chief of police occasioned no sur
prise. 1t had been expected for
months, although repeatedly denied by
both the mayor and the appointee. The
democratic aldermen in the council,
after canvassins the situation felt that
Alderman Sexton was entitled to their
approval OF his appointment on parti-
san grounds.
At last nights council meeting, Al
derman Sexton resigned, and his APP.
pointmsnt in common with others
made last Wednesday night. came UP
for confirmation. The four democrat
ic members OF the council cast their
votes aairmatively. So did Alderman
O'Connor from the republican side.
but the remainder of the republican
aldermen. seven in all. voted negative
lily. and the appointment was rejected.
| Mr.. Sexton was entitled TO the sup
port of the aldermen of his own politi-
cal faith. He is a leading member or
the party is chairman of the county
committee of the congressional COM
mittee and il secretary of the city
township committee, and he has been
4 identified with the best efforts of the
party in its successful purpose to
cleanse il of destructive and contain
Iinatina elements Realizing this, the
democratic members of the council
put aside their feelings toward the
mayor and upheld this selection. The
majority, however. guided largely by
I.party sentiments prevailed.