Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-18
SEARLE KEEPS
CONTROL OF
TAFT CLUB
Is Elected President of Orcani-
cation at Small Meeting
at Turner Hall.
HARMONY is THE SLOGAN
Disrupted Condition Because of Fac
tional QuarreIs is Mourned by
the Leaders.

c. j. Searle finally did it last even
ing. He gathered together about so
republicans, Office holders, and those
who are not but would like
to be, at Turner hall, and
organized the Taft club which he has
been trying to develop for several
months. And of course Mr.. Searle was
made the chairman of the organization.
That was expected
Ii was $3.50 before Mr.. Searle and
his faithful assistants, after a careful
skirmish over the down town streets,
could gather together even 80 of the
very large membership roll which
Judge Searle reported at the last meet
ing had been secured for the club. He
then gave the sign to DIR. w. II. Lude-
wig, who has had the somewhat delicate
honor of being head of the lifeless or
ganization for some little time, and
the meeting was called to order, DR..
Ludewig presiding and Otto Herkert
acting as temporary secretary.
In the hope that a few more might
be captured and brought into the hall.
a quartet was called on to kill time,
and Keith Collins, ]. a. Johnson, c. E.
Lutes and f. l.. Philbrook sang one of
the very much out-of-date 1904 cam
paign songs, with something about
Roosevelt and political pie running
through the mouths of the warblers.
Says They Are Divided.
In opening the meeting Dr. Ludewig
tearfully recited the very evident fact
that the republicans of Rock Island
are divided into innumerable factional
camps, and engaged in a bitter war.
Its all a mistake mourned the doc
tor. I'VE should work together. We
should not underestimate the strength
of our opponents" And he concluded
by begging the club to elect some one
with the faculty of harmonizing these
different factions"
Then Simon Lewis nominated Judge
Searle. and as that was the evident
schedule, the nominations were prompt
~ closed, and Judge Searle elected by
reclamation, while few of his friends
INDUCED in half-hearted enthusiasm.
And while band, rehearsing in an
other part of the building, practiced a
triumphant march, Judge Searle deliver
ed his inaugural address. He bOasted OF
his having been president of the Lin
coin club in 1896, and spoke of the co.
operation he had then which seems to
be lacking now. He referred too, to
the friction which existed then between
different clubs, and made very touch
ing appeal that there be in this cam
paign only the central club with as
many minor organizations as can be
formed under its jurisdiction. Then he
startled every one by declaring that he
intends to bury his personal feelings
entirely in the administration of the
clubs affairs, and there was a round
of real applause, although several Of
the skeptical ones shook their head:
with the air of not believing it posi-
BILE
"If there is one thing that must BIZ
learned in Rock Island" he concluded
lit is to stick together and fight to
gether. Failure to do this is running tn
opportunities of all Rock Island people
and the time to learn the lesson il
right now"
Fight In Wards.
Judge Searle having unburdened him
self, he ordered the different wards t.
get together and name the seven vic
presidents N the Third ward a eau
Gus was held, and there was almost
tie between two factions. the secre
ballot taken showing that John Lun
had won by a single vote over Simo
Lewis. In the Fourth ward no on
wanted the job. The Second and SeN
enth wards had only four represent;
tives apiece on hand, so they could ne
name any one. Judge Olmsted and I
w. Schoede named Mr.. Schoede froI
the Sixth ward without difficulty. TIL
results were as follows when the smok
cleared away:
First ward. II. Gardner.
Third ward-John Lund.
Fourth ward-Dr. w. II. Ludewig.
Fifth ward-B. Frank Knox.
Sixth warti-E. w. Schoede.
After Sam Ryerson and John RinC
had both declined to be secretary,
was voted to give the job to OF
Herkert, who had it temporarily. Jof
Ingram. John Ackerlind B. ID. Co
nelly and Dr. Joseph DeSilva all I
fused to accept the office of treasure
81 il was finally forced on B. FraI
Knox s4
The executive committee. compos'
of the vice presidents and the 9th
officers, was authorized to name a
nance committee.
The program having been safely c;
ried out, and Judge Searle elected accol
ing TO program, he heaved sigh
relief, and called for another ancie
campaign song by the quartet. t
officers of the old fiambeau club we
called for, particularly for Captain
A. j. Mcdonald, Rock Islands affal
postmaster, but who was conspicuo