Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-20
Poinsettias and Sweet Scented Hya-
cinths for Our Larry.

| brow of a brother traveller trudging
through this vale of tears. That we are
prone to lavish unselfshly praise up
on one another is the glory of the
race. One Of the most beautifully
/ touching incidents, perhaps in the
welcome that attended the home
coming of Explorer Cook from the
arctic zone some few months ago,
was that wherein the alteration of an
! idoIizing world found expression in
/ the hanging of wreaths of the choic-
est of natures gifts about the neck
of the returning hero, while even the
/ path that the explorer trod was
strewn with flowers. This was the
token of a grateful people, who felt
really unequal to the task of show
ing in most fitting form the gratitude
that was in their hearts. So it has
always been since the beginning of
time Man has been eager to pay
tribute to his more deserving broth
er. He has been willing to stand
aside, and with dotted cap, bow his
head while the conquering hero pass
es by.
1t is the novelty of the distinction
that very often marks the hero.
Mere expressions of commentator
which by virtue of custom or practice
become the portion of duty, are too
commonplace nowadays to receive,
much less merit. a great amount of
attention. AS for instance the purely
perfunctory act of the grand jury in
bringing in resolutions at each sitting
complimenting the sheriff on the fine
condition of the jail and the satisfied
appearance Of the prisoners, despite
the high prices that reign far above
the necessities Of life, is of the nature
of statutory requirement. The jury
must in the pursuance of its duty visit
the Jail and report to the court upon
the conditions existing there. So that
while, the people have grown accus-
toned to reading Of the grand jury's
resolutions setting forth the fact that
the sheriff is a good housekeeper and
they are glad that he is keeping the
standard of his predecessors well up,
they pay little heed to the matter. On
the other hand, however, some people
would wake up If a contrary report
should be presented. But as long as
the sheriff is doing well enough in
what is required of him as the Gus
todian of the county bastile, they let
it go at that They do not go to
the trouble of calling the sheriff up
on the phone and extending a word
of encouragement, something like
fine doings. old chap, keep it up, we
are all with you" They just take it
for granted that the sheriff is doing
what he is paid for and hence no
encomiums beyond what the law re-
quire are essential to his peace and
happiness. So like the people.
But when another county official
comes along with a bunch of roses
gracefully adjoining his alabaster brow,
and with garlands made UP of the fair
est of earth hung about his shoulders,
the people stop and marvel. Then they
join in the popular acclaim. With
DOTTED cap they stand aside and bow
while the hero passes. The fact that
the honors that have been so be-
slowed do not come within the range
of the laws requirements, that they
are the outward evidence Of the inward
and spiritual grace that has moved 4
body of mans peers, that they are the
free and voluntary acts of that body
all these conditions and circumstances
make the incident the more soul-in.
spring and awe-awakening.
1t is the innovation that makes the !
noise.
At this particular writing Rock Is
land county's modest states attorney,
Hon. Lawrence NJ. Magill, is enjoying
the privileges of the vehicle of innova-
ton, and thus it is that the people are
applauding. The present grand jury, !
following the example of it's predeces- !
sors, since our Larry took up his re-
sponsibilities but short year ago, has /
presented in court, accompanying its /
report and along with the perfunctory
resolution attesting to the worth of /
the present incumbent of the sheriff's /
office. as a good housekeeper, not a res
but a certificate, which the /
properly constituted authorities are in /
to hand down TO the recipient, /
in due form, to the effect that the states /
is doing his duty without fear |
or favor. that he is painstaking in |
the discharge of those exacting duties, |
and is conducting himself with an eye
single to the high interests of the peo-
pie of the county and of the state of /
Illinois. whose peace and dignity it is
his sworn obligation to uphold and
maintain.
The fact that this procedure is non
essential from every view point
and has been withheld from Mr. Ma
gills predecessors, attaches thereto
that peculiarly unique character that
has awakened the public and the de-
parture from the routine and caus-
ed them to applaud.
The rarer the act the greater an6
the more deserved the expressions of
appreciation.
And herein lies the explanation of
these few lines, which are sought to
convey, feebly though they may, The
Argus own appreciation of the hon.
ors that have come unsolicited to the