Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-04
Duty and Success.


Mayor George w. McCaskrin in
lengthy message to the council last
evening undertakes to defend his
course in calling out the fire depart
ment to prevent the destruction or
gambling paraphernalia on the levee
at the time Of Constable Schmid's raid
of the Diamond joint on Second ave
nue.. The theory the mayor advances
is that the stuff was not a gamblers
layout, but ordinary furniture. In the
same connection the mayor INDUCES in
some invidious comparisons between
his own administrations and the inter
vening administration Of Mayor Scha-
fer. and incidentally attacks both the
former mayor and the former park
commissioner. Hon. William Jackson,
because of their connection with the
Law and Order league. In the same
connection he declares that the league
is maintaining press bureau which
is bringing humiliation upon the city.
The Argus as far as it is concerned,
knows of no press bureau" that the
Law and Order league is maintaining.
For its own part it has published the
news in fulfillment of it's mission and
made its own comments Of existing
conditions in the exercise of its privi-
lege. For what it has said it alone is
responsible.
AS to the mayors defense Of his at
titude The Argus is perfectly willing
that it may go for what it is WORTH
the mayor having the same right to
defend his acts that the newspaper has
to take its own course.
The Argus feels, however, that the
mayor has misinterpreted the voice of
the people on the two occasions to
which he refers, when they recorded
themselves on local option. Their ex-
preston was against prohibition, and
not for the encouragement Of lawless-
ness. surely not. To place such con-
struction on the attitude of the people
of the CITY of Rock Island is to bring
more humiliation upon the city than
could possibly be done through any
portrayal through the newspapers or
otherwise of conditions here. The
mayor is mistaken on this point, SER
iously mistaken.
AS to the accomplishments of May
or McCaskrin's present administra-
ton. in which every member of the
council has as much right to boast as
the mayor himself, The Argus has nc
hesitancy in repeating what 1t said
without reservation at the time the
various measures to which the mayor
alludes were put through. The past
year has seen much done by the city
government for the good OF the entire
city of which not only the mayor but
the council may take just pride. The
municipal body has made a record for
doing things end should have fun
credit for the same. Honor without
stint should be given where honor is
due. No one can withhold praise where
il is merited.
But success and achievement on the
one hand do not excuse neglect of du-
ty on the other. Mayor McCaskrin has
been progressive in many things, but
he cannot successfully defend the
protection of the gambling outfit as in
line with his other undertakings
or the worthy accomplishments of the
council in which he cooperated.
Nor can the voice Of the people, so
Enthusiastically indicated on the local
option issue, be accepted as speaking
for a policy of open disregard for
written law. 1t is grave reflection upon
the people so to interpret their vote.
Furthermore The Argus can see no
occasion in what has happened for per
sonal attack either upon Mr.. Schaffer
or Mr.. Jackson. Men have a right to
their views and right to take what
ever position they may elect on any
.,,aa+Toy, Of rubIic rO1fov or Of Law on
forcement without the engendering of
bitterness.
The mayor is entitled for full credit
for whatever of success in public
works has attended his administra-
ton, but that does not excuse short
comings In other directions. Regard
less of what he has done in the right
direction, he is amenable for what he
does or neglects to in the wrong di-
rection.