Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-15

enable Cullom TO gain the knowledge
and influence with which to make his
statesmanly ability of consequence to
his constituents. If he has accomplish
ed anything in "a years which might
not have been accomplished by any
fairly good senator. the State Journal
will be pleased TO learn what ii is.
The State Journal does not give credit
to Shelby NJ. Cullom for having
brought into existence and perfected
any legislation of national Importance
to the people. If it takes more than
"a years 10 train and equip man to
represent the state of Illinois satisfac-
torily in the United States senate, so
that he shall be able TO point out some
great good accomplished TO justify his
appeal for a continuous term, it Is
certainly the part of wisdom TO start
a new man at the earliest possible mo-
ment, and TO select man with as much
of his life before him as possible.
One misfortune in the elevation of
Shelby NJ. Cullom to the senate is that
he was too advanced in years when he
entered upon his senatorial career.
He began acquiring his senatorial eX-
perience at period which would bring
him into the octogenarian class soon
after entering upon the fifth term for
which he asks. He has gained the eX-
perience without doubt. but for some
reason, best known TO himself, he has
not made satisfactory use of it. The
fact of the matter is. Cullom has not
10 Il IN, . he Il h.,. a.
voted too much of his valuable time
10 manipulating federal appointments
for his own benefit and too little to
shaping important Legislation for the
benefit of his constituents. He has
helped himself immensely by getting
men out of office who would not. or
could not. help his senatorial aspira-
tions, and he has contributed greatly
towards his chances for personal sue
cess by securing appointments for
men who could and would help him
get back to the senate In this man
ner his MANY terms of office have re
suited in the building of a powerful
federal machine in this state to which
Senator CullOm is now looking for a
still stronger grip upon the political
affairs of this state in his own inter-
est. He has drawn 10 the support of
this machine some of his congressional
associates from this state who will be
able to hold il together and make it a
still more formidable instrument for
personal advantage after Cullom's re
tirement, if the people should endorse
federal machine domination in this
state by Il large popular majority for
Cullom in the approaching primaries.
II may be considered unfortunate,
perhaps, by some citizens that there
are not more opposing candidates. but
one will suffice for a situation such as
exists today. The people have the
problem presented TO them and they
must approve or condemn the long
record of the alleged statesman of IL
linOis. If they think Shelby NJ Gull
lom ought 10 have more than Is terms
of state and national office: if they
think "a years in the senate is less
than he ought to ask for; if they be-
lieYe his senatorial career has been
conspicuously able and brilliant; if
they think there is no native-born son
of Illinois competent TO represent this
state in the senate; if they think the
final years of politicians public life
are likely to be more productive of
practical results for the benefit of the
people than the young years of an
and promising star just arts
ing in the political armament: if they
prefer an experienced and crafty traf-
flicker in federal jobs to a man with
10 make a public record: if
they wish TO rivet a Washington ma
chine collar TO their own necks; they
need only 90 to the primaries and
record their preference that way. But
If they feel that it would be better to
have new deal and give some other
republican a chance to show what he
can do in the senate, whoever he may
be. there is but one way to bring II
about. and that is to vote instructions
to the general assembly against the
fifth term for Shelby NJ. Cullom.