Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-16
FIGHT
GETS WARMER
As Primaries Draw Near Interest
Grows in Contest for Repub-
lican Nomination.
THREE OUT FOR MAYOR
n. c. Schaffer, J. X. Scott and Henry
Carse Are Candidates-Court
May Knock Out Law.

The interest in the contest for the
nomination for municipal Offices is in
creasing with the approach of the pri-
mary election which is to be held Just
a week from today The democrats
have but one candidate on the ticket
for the nomination for mayor, Frank
w. Blochlinger, alderman of the First
ward The republicans, however, have
a bitter three cornered fight on, be-
tween Mayor H. C. Schaffer, John X.
Scott and Henry .Carse, and in the
contest for the head of the ticket, the
interest in the other nomination is
swallowed up. Mayor H. G. Schaffer
| and Henry Carse represent, or are
| supposed to represent, the two ex-
tremes of the liquor question. Mayor
Schaffer is standing on his record for
strick enforcement of law and close
regulation of the saloon, while Mr.
| Carse is in the fight as the favored of
those who are for wide open town.
Those who advocate such policy do
| not appear to be satisfied with John
X. Scott, as Mr.. Carse was brought
out in opposition to both Mr.. Schaffer
and Mr.. Scott after they had form
ally entered the race. Mr. Carse, how
ever, it should be said, is not can
didate of his own making. He was
brought out by clique of hungry re-
PUBLICAN politicians, and in his alb
sence from the city. 1t was necessary
to bring much pressure to bear to in
duce him to remain in the field when
he returned home. He is strictly
bipartisan candidate.
]. X. Scott is appealing to the
younger element in the party, and is
making an energetic canvass for sup
port at the primary.
1t is expected that during the week
Intervening before the primary, the
lines of battle will be more definitely
drawn, and the candidates will make
known more certainly just what they
4 propose to stand for in the contest.
The judges of election wish the vot-
ers to understand that under the pri-
mary law only one candidate for mayor
may be voted for, and that if cross
is placed in the square before more
than one candidates name, the vote
will not be counted for any candidate.
To Knock Out Law.
There seems a general expectation
in the state that the supreme court
will give a decision as to the constitu.
tionality of the primary law, and there
is belief among many of those who
have followed the case that the court
, will declare the law unconstitutional
in whole or in part. Although it is
not considered likely that the ruling
will be given before the primary next
Tuesday, there is possibility that the
, decision will come between Feb. %
the day of the nominating election, and
April 6, the day of the actual election
! In such case the complications would
be serious, as under the old law next
, Monday is the last day for holding
conventions to nominate, and it would
be necessary for all candidates ito fi.e
nominating petitions under the ole
7 laws provisions.
Y The validity of the law is involved
: in motion for writ of habeas corpu.
, for Joseph Phillip of Chicago, one o.
the men indicted for perjury by the
f Healy-Loesch special grand jury. Ths
e supreme court yesterday heard ora
e arguments by Clarence S. Darrow am
a Edgar l.. Masters for the applicant fol
S a writ, and Frank ]. Loesch for the
+ state. The court has taken the CASE
under advisement.
Republicans Act.
ii At a meeting of the city republican
committee 1last evening at tn,
Office of B. F. Knox, it was de
4 cided that in case the primary law i.
knocked out, the primary will be hell
as a voluntary primary election, unde
the provisions of the old law.
Henry Carse, j. K. Scott, John +
Noftsker, R. w. Olmsted and J.
Moeller addressed the meeting. TIL,
committee ordered all those who hav,
not dug up their assessment for tn,
campaign slush fund to come in a
once if they desire their names on tn
list of candidates.