Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-02-13

70 the foregoing preamble 90 citi-
Zens. representing practically all the
political parties and all factions within
those parties. affixed their signatures
last evening. pledging their aid in
furthering a movement that promises
to inaugurate a new era in the conduct
of municipal affairs in Rock Island
The pre- amble was adopted and
the above permanent officers elected
at a meeting held al the Rock Island
house Ii was the second gathering
within the last few days To further
the same end. the previous one being
held ar the office Of H. II. Cleavelanl
last Friday night. The assembled vOt-
ers decided unanimously to take part
in the municipal campaign this spring,
and provided for the appointment f
committees and further meetings 20
bring about this result.
shows Popular Mind.
The meeting showed conclusively that
The people are heartily sick alike OF
party machinery and self-seeking DEM
agogues in city affairs. and a definite
movement to inaugurate plain. sane AMI
sensible business administration with
out fear or favor for any man. body u
men OF aggregation OF capital is bound
10 gather support from all classes.
AS one speaker put it. the citizens
movement is greater than any man or
set of men. a fact which should never
be lost sight of by those who unite
themselves with it. 1t should. as an
other said be as ruthless in deposine
those who have been given places OF
public trust through IT'S efforts and
found wanting. as in retiring to private
life politicians or demagogues whc
have proved their mfitness On the
other hand. it should be equally i'm
partial in retaining in the public ser
vice. regardless of political affiliations
those who have demonstrated that they
are capable and reliable
Such an expression as was had last
evening has a wider significance than
merely that encompassed within the
preamble adopted, important though
that may be. 1t proves that there ha:
been Slumbering local patriotism
which is now manifesting itself ans
which will not stop with an effort t,
place good men in city offices. 1t vii
unite all classes for 4 bigger. bette
city, and once united there is nothin.
within reasonable limits that cannot b.
accomplished
The Phone Ordinance Scored.
The passage of the franchise of tn
Central Union Telephone cOmpar
Monday night was pointed out las
evening as an object lesson. and with
cut doubt had it's effect in crystalline
sentiment for a nonpartisan influenc
in the spring election. DEPRESSION upo
this point by the speakers. who witt
out exception denounced the measur
and scored the council. aroused fire.
quent applause. and led to one or Nv
more or less dramatic incidents.
Mayor McCasirin was present 4
was Alderman Dauber, who voted fo
the telephone ordinance, and both wer
called upon TO explain their positions
The mayor minated he would veto tn
measure. while Mr.. Dauber apologize
for his course, but said he acted
good faith
The injection of this subject into til
discussion showed that it was a top
uppermost in the minds of the bushes
and professional men, and there wa
no division of sentiment on the que
ton. all who spoke expressing the
condemnation of the course of II
council.
The meeting. which was held in I'll
old dining room at the Rock Islau
house, was called to order by ].
Munger, who was chosen temporal
chairman. J. w Welch was electe
temporary secretary. The minutes
the previous meeting. held at the off,
of H. H. Cleaveland last Friday nigl
when declaration for a citizen
movement was adopted. were read ar
approved.
Chairman Munger then invited d