Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-04-02

ground for a contest on technicalities in
the event that the election is close.
The Office of the county clerk will
be open this evening after o'clock i'll
order that the county election boards
in the city may make their returns this
evening
The Withdrawal of Mcnamara.
When the information was given out
late yesterday afternoon that a com
promise had been effected, as a result
Of which Mr.. Mcnamara had with
drawn as a candidate for the mayoralty
on the citizens ticket and that Henry
Schaffer had endorsed and signed the
citizens platform. the reception OF the
news was attended by considerable
conjecture and speculation as to its
effect on the political situation. Ru-
! mOrs that such a move was likely had
prevailed during the day, and hence the
ANNOUNCEMENT of its completion did not
create the surprise that ii otherwise
would. The main regret expressed was
| that the committee in conference did
NOT complete its work in time TO have
the result set forth precisely in the ey-
ening papers Of the day.
That the McCaskrin sentiment had
gained during the last week was ap-
parent but it was admitted by all ia
miliar with the development that the
growth of the idea that McCaslIrin was
strong was chargeable largely to the
| calamity bowling of the republican
cOuriers who went about systematic
ally creating the impression. even 10
| the extent of betting on him, until they
| actually made of McCaskrin a danger
Gus factor. This was shown by the
| fact that NcCaskrin boosted of the
way tne republicans feared him and
were even betting on him. Only 4
week before. he had gotten cold feet
and Cancelled his engagement at the
Illinois theater With the air charged
| with the gases that the republicans hal
/ breathed into it, he was able last Sat
urday to pull off his performance be
! fore a packed house.
The Cause of Alarm.
| The situation thus developed alarmed
hundreds of citizens who dreaded to
think of even the possibility of theft
cause becoming instrumental in letting
McCaskrin slip into office for another
term. for. with his ideas of one-man
power the platform of the citizens as
sociation would be lost in the struggle
and the cause suffer a serious setback
in its very incipiency.
This state Of affairs. according to re
Iport. is what led to the confcrenc,
asked for by the republicans and whict
resulted late yesterday in the develop
mcnts spoken Of
Text of the Agreement.
When the executive committee of tn,
ICitizCns' Nonpartisan association yes
terday afternoon, in conference will
the republican city committee arrange,
for the withdrawal from the race O
James Mcnamara. the candidate TO
mayor. II. c. Schaffer accepted tht
principal features of the platform O
| the association. In this action Nj
Schaffer gave his signature to a plat
form standing for 4 decent, sane. ant
orderly administration OF the city
| business affairs. the lack of which i
severely felt At the present time. with
| out. however. favOrin% radical or in
| IMPRACTICAL measures. He endorsed I'll
Iplanks advocating merit rule and civi
/ service in the municipal departments
the referendum Of franchises grantin
the right to use the streets and alley.
and compensation TO the city for sue
rights; union labor on all city wor
| wherever possible; the encouragement
of Investment Of capital; extension {
the park system. and clean streets an
] better water and sewer systems.
II OF course, Mr.. McNamara's witt
drawal came TOO late for the remOv;
of his name from the ballot. and doub
II less he will receive many votes tOda
| notwithstanding his withdrawal. /
| those who either do not realize that /
4 is no longer a candidate or the como
L lions under which his name was wit
III drawn