Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-06-25

Obviously, The Argus has been of
much more concern to John Looney for
some time past than Looney has been
to The Argus. 1t need hardly be said
III this connection that it has long since
become a matter OF the utmost indiffer-
ence, SO far as The Argus is concern
ed, what Looney may think or say.
This paper incurred his relentless en-
nifty some years ago while in the dis
charge Of its simple duty as a news
as barrister. LOOney was in the habit
of going about assaulting people with
whose opinions he differed or whose ac-
tons toward him he resented. This |
often applied to opposing counsel in
law suits, and it sometimes occurred |
as it has even in the past few years. |
that the subject of the LOOney hatred |
was assaulted in the presence of the |
local court before whom a proceeding |
LAT law was pending Because The Ar
gus was obliged to refer 10 these some
what unusual performances. LoOney |
political and otherwise. involved allu- |
sion to Looney that may not have been |
exactly to his liking, his feelings have !
become intensified. ReseTving to him !
self the right to condemn others. he |
will not stand for criticism himself
not if he can help it, Free to abuse |
and indulge in evil speaking. lying and
SANDER of those who have incurred his |
i'll will his vindictivenoss is so malig- |
Inant in its nature that he can only see
those who oppose him. Having them
ever in mind in his waking moments. |
he dreams Of them by night. He Eyes
but to get even. He lives but for re-
venge
\ few years ago. at the close of n |
somewhat protracted political com
-paign in which the democratic party
arrayed itself against the further dom
nation or attempted domination of its
affairs by LOoney, who. while posing
las a party representative. had been
caught repeatedly working in the re-
publican party. The Argus decided tol
discuss him no further except at such
times as occasion might arise. These
occasions have arisen three or four
times during the past few years. and
AT these times only such reference or
comment has been made as would apply
to any other individual under the same
circumstances. Such attacks as LOonev
might crafty himself by making upon
The Argus have been overlooked
And LOOney has gone ON assailing men
of all stations and conditions of life
against whom he might harbor a dis
like
Just at this present. the information
comes to The Argus to the effect that
LOoney has placed on the list of the
victims of his rage and abuse no less
man than Rev r b. Williams. the
esteemed and popular pastor of the
First Methodist church. DR. Williams. it
may be explained, gained the LoOney
i'll will one evening last winter when,
on the occasion of the annual Wash
ingtOn birthday banquet given by the
Rock Island Club. he participated with
out LoOncy's consent Worse than that,
| he went III the face of the LOoney tele-
! phonic prohibition. The result was an
immediate onslaught on DR.. Williams.
| Those who are familiar with Dr. Viii
| liams know that he is not a rescntful
man. and like others. he has treated the
| LOOney venom with the contempt that
it deserves. He has gone his way, and
| if he has expressed himself at all on
the LOOney performance. il has doubt.
| less been in the same light that he
would talk of any other element in the
community that he or any other good
man might regard as an evil.
But the reference here TO the LOOnev
assault upon DR.. Williams is not made
because it is especially unusual so far
as Looney tactics go. but as bearing
out the illusions so frequently made to
the venom and intimidation of the
Iooney character. Not the sacrednes5
of the cloth nor the judicial ermine is
immune from the LOOneY scrced if crit
icism be passed upon him. Not priest.
nor minister, nor Judge, nor jury. neitn-
or the holy cause of the man of God,
nor the dignity of the court is respect
ed if any one of them in the exercise of
duty or discretionary right offend. it
is Looney against all men who
cross his path. LOoney, self
lpOsed and self-proclaimed as the
paragon of rectitude and the ideal OF
correct living. must be kept upon the
pedestal. Looney, who. despite his self
adulation, after 25 years of residence
in Rock Island, is nevertheless the only
man in all history, so far as known
who has found it necessary to publicly
schedule his virtues at regular inter
walls.
"Where is there another such man.
is the question he has the nerve to send
out from his own establishment
Where is his equal? He does not
drink. smoke, nor chew"
why Meat is High.