davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
The County Boards Opportunity.

The door of opportunity swings wide
for the board of supervisors of Rock
Island county. In the reorganization
that is TO be effected at the meeting
next week lies a chance for it to get
put of a rut-a rut that has led the
county into a maze of financial com.
plications that has made its name a
by-word and that will require business
acumen, a high degree of patriotism
and stiff backbone to get out Of
Not that the opportunity has not Elk.
listed in the past, but so long as Hamp-
ton township continued to return w.
r. Carey as a member of the board
that body appeared unable to rise 10
the demands of the occasion. BY some
subtle automatic process Mr. Carey for
dozen years succeeded himself as
chairman. The supervisors simply
couldn't help themselves and things
went on in the same old way Now
Mr.. Carey has been fairly returned to
private life and the spell is, or sh luld
be, lifted The board is confronted By
glorious opportunity to do some
thing.
There is reason to believe that the
members of the county board are, IS
a whole. anxious to remedy past mis-
takes. They realize that their ses
sions are supposed to be something
more than pink teas. They have come
to see that exchanging compliments
and filling the air of the supervisor S
room full of blue smoke, while a per
fectly enjoyable occupation. does not
buy the baby a dress nor pay the
county's bills. Most of them realize
that while they have been thus pleas.
antly engaged heretofore a small knot
of men have been running things and
looking rather more carefully after
certain private interests than they did
after those of the dear public. III
short. the supervisors have had a
bunch that it is I'D to them.
1t must not be supposed that those
private interests that have been SO
well served in the past are going t.
go into retirement merely because w
X. Carey is no longer a member ni
the board and therefore no longer q
candidate for chairman Not by any
means. They are already at work and
have been right along, and if it is left
to them they will find a good substi
tute for Mr.. Carey and county affairs
will never leave the old rut. The
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

At last potential voice is raised
in behalf of the homeless and hun
CRY cat In the official report of the
citizens health committee of San
francisco setting forth the means en-
ployed in that city in it's successful
effort to combat the spread of the
bubonic plague the practical extirpa-
tions of rats played a most essential
part. The report declares that the
natural enemy of the rat is the home
less and hungry cat-not the sleek
and pampered house pet, but the mean
and scrawny brute that yowls at night
and can't be petted and has TO get its
living where it can. The offices OF
such felines in marrying rats away
from food, in breaking up rat families
disturbing their breeding places and
preventing over-ground migration, is
probably valuable beyond estimate.
The feas that infest rats, mice and
| squirrels are the bubonic plague car
riers. 1t is thought that cat f1eas will
not carry infection. The human flea
| is also practically exonerated. The
| rat flea carries disease from rat to RAJ
and when the rats die extends its pois
onous visitations from rats to men. il
Is well settled that one of the mos
efficacious ways to fight the plague is
to live clean and import cats.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
March Fire Losses.

The fire loss of the United States
and Canada for the month of March,
as compiled from the records of the
New York Journal of Commerce,
reached a total of $13,795,4 400 AL
though this seems a very big figure,
it shows satisfactory decrease in
losses compared with the same month
in 1907 and 1908. In 1907, the total
for March was $20,559,70O and in
1908, SIG, 723,300. In the first three
months of the year there is always
notable reduction of fire losses, the
total for 1909 being $50, 661, 400
against $64,795,0O0 for the first
quarter of 1908. The first quarter in
dicates satisfactory year for fire
underwriters unless a costly confia-
grafton occurs.
There have been heavy losses for
several years. and "let up for one
year, if it comes, will be welcomed
by the fire insurance companies
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

Secretary Wilson does not hesitate
to say that there is no shortage in the
wheat crop of the country ana that j.
A. Patten, the multi-millionaire spec
ulatOr whose operations have resulted
in cornering the supply. is simply
scheming 10 rob the country. AS i
matter of course. In order to enrich
the speculator who comes between the
producer and the consumer. bread will
be of bigger price and smaller loaves,
but what are you going to do about
ito
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

same subtle pressure will again be
brought to bear when the board meets
next week. While it may not be Mr..
Carey who is the ostensible bene-
ficiary the general objects will lie in
the same old direction. Hope for re-
lief lies in the belief that the pressure
will be less difficult to resist. now that
the people of Hampton have shown
the board members the way.
But what are we to do?" the aver
age member will say I'VE should like
| to remedy past mistakes and put the
county on a sound financial basis but
how shall we go about it?"
| To this The Argus would answer:
| Elect as chairman someone who has
not been tied up with the old regime
and someone who has the indepenl
ence to stand out for what he know,
is right and the ability to carry out
his program.
Let the board know where every
ldollar the county gets comes from ant
where it goes. Let it go further ant
find out what becomes of every dollal
the county should get and does no.
Iget.
Apportion the county's revenue al
nually into funds for various purpose:
and do not allow them to be over
drawn or improperly used.
Stop paying the political debts o
Office holders with the county's money
This practice in several department!
is costing thousands annually.
Stop paying four times what it cost
to board county prisoners. Possibl,
there will not be so many to board i
this rule is'fOllowed.
Pay adequately for honest service.
In short, enforce the rules that arr
necessary to make an ordinary bust
ness successful and if an i:nmedia-'
improvement in the financial condi
ton of the county does not result Th'
Argus is much mistaken.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

dignity il the afternoon. and if be was
not glad OF ii Miss Mills was. 1t was
two days before the invitation was re-
"cwed ard us promptly refused, and
them lie observed:
OF course not If you don't wish to-.
lat | must confess that l can't make
you out
Il am here as stenographer and type
writer. am nOt?" she asked.
"Ccrtainly."
And have sou any fault to find with
my work thus far?'
Net y bit. but. you see-you know
II invited you to lunch"
And l preferred to go by myself
That WAS another setback for Dick,
land it naturally set him to studying
| the problem. he was not accustomed
to being refused anything by any
body. IT was Il real relief TO him
when finally he decided that the girl
stood in awe OF him because he was
the junior partner of the house 1t
seemed to him only kind that he should
| dissipate that awe
| AT the end of another week he made
| it his business to overtake her on the
lstrcet as she was going home Bow
ling with the utmost respect. he said:
Miss Mills, Il friend of mine who
was going TO the thcater tonight with
his wife has been disappointed and
has given me the tickets. Wouldn't
you like to accompany me-"
II have another engagement" she
lreplied. blushing both because it was
false and because he knew it was
false.
"Oh-ah-I see. It's great play"
II thank you just the same"
That was another surprise for Mr.
Dick Brownlow. but he didn't turn on
his heel with the mental threat to dis.
charge the "uppy" stenographer in the
tmorning.
She was Il new kind of girl to him
but he was playing fair. He'd have
waGered 10 to ) that she would jump
lat the chance. and why she didn't
lump puzzled him, He could only lay
it to her feeling of awe. he hadn't
broken that down yet.
Miss Mills went to her duties next
mcrning wondering if she would he
told that her services were no longer
Required. but nothing of the sort await
cd her. On the contrary. about mid
forenoon. when she had written soy
leral letters. the Junior partner re
marked:
Miss Mills. l want to say that YOU
work gives the greatest satisfaction
and from this time on your salary will
be advanced from $40 to SIC a week"
But l can't earn SIG week-no
now" she replied. I'm only a begin
| ner and I'm glad to earn So"
You refuse raise of salary" he ex
claimed, as he looked at her in aston
J ishment.
IF you please can earn ever
penny of It,"
"But isn't it for me to say""
met altogether. Please say no MOI
. about it,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
The Argus Daily Short Story
/, MISS MILLS AND DICK---By Anita Wentworth
Copyrighted, 1903. by Associated Literary Press.

The name of the firm was Brownlow
& Son. but every one who knew Dick
Brownlow knew that the "old man"
had taken him in without too many
hopes of making Il business man of
him. Dick was twenty-thrce years
old. He had been squeezed through
college and made many trips abroad
He was a member of three clubs, and
it had cost his father $4,000 to get
him TO his present point in life.
He was lust recovering from hilari-
Gus sma> hup in an auto and was feel
ing a bit rcrentant when his father an
nounced the partnership and induced
him to make certain resolves.
Dick had been using the office as Il
sort of "hanGout" for t,o or three
months and had at last advanced in
the business world 10 the point where
he could acknowledge an order by mail
and almost bluff tie old office manager
and other employees.
Then the older Brownlow decided that
the son ought to have stcnOgrapher
all to himself. and an advertisement
was accordingly inserted. There were
forty-nine answers, and it was for
Dick to peruse them and make up his
mind which applicant to take.
He had five of them call at the Of
flee and chose Miss Mills becaise she
| was the best looking of the lot. 1t was
Dicks idea that good looks formed
the basis of stenography and type
writing His father didn't agree with
any argument into the partnership
that might strain. the young mans
brain. SO Miss Mills appeared on Il
certain Monday morning and began
| her work.
| Although he was the junior partner
| Dick determined at once to prove t
her that he not only acknowledged
her right to live, but that he vas rath
er glad she was alive.
4 That afternoon the Son of Brownlov
& Son dictated two letters and spen
the rest of the time in patronizins hi'
Stenographer lie asked many CUES
lions and related some of his adven
lures.
1t was thus tha' he sought to conve,
the idea that stenosfaphy, while look
ed at in q business way by some, hat
social side. to his mind.
H When noon came he felt that he hat
made matters so pleasant that he de
cided to ask Miss Mills to lunch witt
him. She looked him sedately In TIL
eyes and refused politely. There ha'
been an expression in her face for
moment, however. as if she intende'
to give notice and resign her place OF
the spot But evidently her glance 4
Dicks frank. honest face overcome thi
idea. if she had it.
| The junior partner was astonished
To do him justice, ne was not indig
nant, but he was piqued.
The setback made him assume NOR
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17


of In
of
the tot
something
of
;andag genuine apostle OF laughter S May Irwin.
her personality her nauness her spnaney bubng
establishing
ripple fun
of Campbell,
born in 1s62to she doesn't look it, OF Whtb Ont where she
her native village and at opportunity and with the slightest
the death her father threw her and her Flora the duty
the Irwin unknown to them and accepted the They
vany faced the audience with the GOODNESS OF
in followed quickly
their third found them at Tony Pastors in New York at eighty dollars
babe grandmother Miss
she
take her initial performance without little qual OF
o audience DAILY who had keen
her excellent OF four his theatre which
school her the
sixteen she married Frederick w Keller who died eight later leaving
Copyrgh I1oSb Vim
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
Treasury AGENT Suicide.

Paris, April 17.-William cambridge,
special agent of the treasury depart
ment, committed suicide today by
shooting. He was believed tempo
rarily insane.
Washington, April 17.-William
cambridge, who was from Iowa, was
the second secretary of the American
legation at Picking 8 years ago. He
resigned from the diplomatic service
in 1903.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
One ACCOMPLISHMENT.

One Accomplishment.
"Do you play the piano." asked the
ingenious young man who was trying
very hard TO make conversation.
NO" replied the self made man; Il
never took music lessons on but one
instrument, and that was many years
ago.
And what was that"
1.-The sawbuck"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

Ten thousand American tourists Wis
tied Cuba during the winter season
and left $75000G after them. The Gu
bans admiration of the American is
founded in the Americans pocketbook
and his craftsmanship.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

Her Loss.
"My wife Il
very ambitious"
That is n good
quality"
Yes, but there
are 10 Marathon
talking matches"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

When it is seen that one man can
horde up the God given products Of
the land. the fruits of the farmers toll,
and control the staff of life, one begins
to realize seriously that there is some
thing wrong in this country.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
HurnOr and
Philosophy
FOR A CHANGE.
D. DUNCAN n. SMITH

II you were l
And / were you,
Just changed about,
! wonder who
Would get the worst
OF such a deal
And just how you
And l would. feel.
II l were you,
1t seems TO me,
At several points
A chance l see
To quite improve
Upon your plan
And make OF you
A better man.
II you were l,
Could you indeed
ALONG my lines
OF work succeed,
Or would you make
A w1etched mess
And bring upon
Yourself distressf
] wonder if
We'd ever sigh
II i We're you
And you were ]
And wish again
On Bonded Enee
To lie the ones
We used to be.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

Figures gathered by the government
show that the average American con-
sumes half his weight or 80 Is pounds
of sugar in 4 year The sugar trust
consumes the average American
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

The New York World makes the fol
lowing suggestion for a preamble to
a joint resolution on tariff revision
I'VE, the senate and house of repre-,
sentatives. in Senator Nelson w. Aid,
rich assembled"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

If the price of bread goes up, re-
member that there is a rich man in
Chicago who is protiting by your hard
ship, and be thankful that he has
given you even a crumb.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
The Real Thino.

well. what did you come to tow
for?
ITO see the elephant"
Aren't You slightly mixed on loco
tions:"
Il didn't think so.''
We'll. you know Il modest burg can't
compete with Africa in that line these
days"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
His Limitations.

81 hear your family is going to take
you into society. Uncle Charley?'
'Well. they do it at their own risk"
"Ain't you going to act nice about
it,"
"Oh. l suppose l will have to stand
for the clawhammer coat and the ac-
Gordon hat but I'll be dinged If /
will eat soup with my fork"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
Kaiser at Corfu,

Corfu, April 17-Emperor William
and the empress arrived here today on
board the imperial yacht Hohenzol-
lern, from Venice. Their majesties
were greeted by the king of Greece.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
BY TAFT
Made to Labor Leaders or
Number of Matters of vi
tai Interest.
LONG CONFERENCE Is HELD
GOmpers, Mitchell and Others Call al
White House--DiScuSS Anti-ln-
junction Law.

Washington, April II. - President
Taft discussed the problems of tbs
workingman for two hours yesterday
with the members of the executive
council of the American Federation OF
Labor, which is in session in this city.
The labor leaders, headed by Sam
uel Gompers, president of the fedora
,tion, called at the White house to pre-
sent to the president q number of
matters of vital interest to organized
labor. They found the chief magis-
trate keenly attentive and deeply i'll
'terested, Mr.. Gompers declared, and
not only did he give the spokesman of
the party all the time they desired to
lay their matters before him, but join
ed in the discussion from time to time
TO bring out fuller information on the
various subjects as they were reached
Some Opposed Taft.
In the delegation were the represen
tatives of most of the trades affiliated
with the American Federation, and
among them Il number of leaders who
stubbornly opposed Mr.. Taft in his
presidential campaign. But the greet
ing within the executive offices was
cordial alike TO Mr.. GOmpers and to
all who accompanied him.
When the conference had reached its
close the president told his callers that
he would investigate such of the mat
terS presented as seemed to him to
require such action, and that he would
be glad to help, as far as his oppor-
tunities would permit, III arriving at a
proper solution of the difficulties in
which the working people found them
selves. while at the same time keep
ing the interest of the whole people in
view
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

A maj. in Atlanta. Ga. who bit his
baby's cheek after beating its mother
has been sentenced to the work house
for but two weeks
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

Second Baseman Evers of the Cubs
is selling shoes in Troy and says he
will stick TO the last.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
From an Expert.

(which horse are you betting on?"
"The little brown"
think he is fast:'
He ought to be. l heard my mother
say brown was fast color"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

Though Castro is not singer, hi.
voice is heard above the high sea.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

The labor leaders seemed pleased
with their reception. They took up
with the president an imposing array
of problems, including the matter of
injunction, the S-hour law. convict la
Dor. the recent indictment of labor
leaders in the south for alleged viola
tons of the Sherman antitrust law.
the danger of dissolution of all labor
organizations under a strict intcrpre-
preme court, the maintenance of inter
national peace, labor problems on the
Panama canal, the adherence to the
right of asylum in this country for po-
litical offenders from other lands, and
child labor.
President Taft told the labor leaders
that he regarded the matter of an anti
injun ctiOn law as one of the most i'm
pOrtant phases of his administration.
He added that he felt he had made his
position clear on the subject in his
speech of acceptance last July at Gin
cinnati, and had confirmed that posi-
ton in his inaugural address. he said
| he would be glad TO consult further
with the representatives of organized
labor as to amendments, etc. when a
bill for the next congress has been
| framed
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

It's much like working I'm a lodge,
For. added to his cares,
Our large and stately president
Is going through the chairs.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

Now is the time TO ascertain why
the county is broke"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
Pathetic.

Little April's crying.
See. her eyes are red.
Wonder IL she's lost her job
Or her folks are dead.
Dry your little weepers.
Brush away the tear
And forget Jour troubles.
May will soon be here.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

While the Turks were rising at home
Gotch was lowering one in Chicago.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
Ncill il Present.

Dr. Charles p. Neill, the government
commissioner of labor, was present
throughout the hearing. The members
were Samuel Gompers, Frank Morri
son, James Duncan, John Mitchell
James O'Connell, Max Morris. William
Huber, John B. Lennon, John r. AL
pine, and Joseph Valentine.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
THE ARGUS.

Published Daily and Weekly at 1924
Second avenue Rock Island Ill. [En-
tered at the postoftice as second-class
matter.l
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

The girl who makes smudge when
engaged i'll making fudge will find the
cook will have a grudge that will
cause the same to judge that not q
pot or pan shall bulge for the girl
who would make fudge
The safest way to contest mans
will is to wait until he is dead and
then employ lawyer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

Inc man VINO has an opinion worth
considering is the man who agrees
With US.
We really hate to be taken in about
as badly as we dislike to be left out.
1t costs all it is worth to be popu-
lar and is seldom worth all 1t costs.
Misfortune can always confer a great
favor by keeping at a safe and re-
spectful distance.
II youth were not so dead certain
and cocksure Of itself enthusiasm
would die of sheer inanity.
1t always seems so much easier to
do something else aud do 1t some other
time.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

What kind Of an auto are You going
to buy?'
"a secondhand one"
Good as new. suppose"
ut ought to be. 1t has killed three
men," .--
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

BY THE J. w. POTTER CO.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-17

TERMS.-Daily 10 cents per week.
Weekly, 81 per year in advance.
All communications of argumentative
character, political or religious, must
have real name attached for publica-
ton. No such articles will be printed
over fictitious signatures.
Correspondence solicited from every
township in Rock Island county.
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1909-09-18
NORTH EAST

The Uncle Toms Cabin tent show
drew quite a crowd on Tuesday even
ing.
MIR. and Mrs John Johnson have
returned from Denton, and are occupy
their cottage.
Frank Moore lett Tor Wheeling, w.
Va. On Tuesday, where he has posi-
ton.
Nj. L. r. Il, Day, who has ben in
a h ,spilaI IN Philadelphia, is much i'm
proved
Mrs. William T. Minkcr and daugh-
ter lrvie, OF Philadelphia, are visiting
relatives here.
Mr. Joan kcithlcy, a vct.ctl Of the
Cvi, War. died at his HON, Wedncs-
day morning, aged rs ,carS. lie is
survived by three daughters anl one
son. all living at a distance. The fun
cral took place this Friday with III
termcrt in the NJ f. Cemetery
Mrs Richard Ceilings, OF Baltimore.
spent the week with friends here.
MIR Augustus Johnson and Miss Eva
Crouch. Of Elk Neck, were married at
the NJ +. Parsonage on Wednesday
evening by Rev. Warren r. Burr
Mr. aud Mrs Nathan Steel and Mrs.
larrcl and Miss lIammcll, OF Whining
ton. spent the week with Mrs. Charles
l.. Rothcrmel
Bishop adams will preach at St.
Mary'' = T.. Church, Friday evening
October :.
Mrs Harry Shipper, i, visiting in
Baltimore.
Miss Annic Wells is visiting ia