Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-08
PARTY'S PROGRAM
is UP IN CLOUDS
Clark and Shallberg Thorns in
Side of the Republican
Organization.
INTERESTING FIGHT is ON
Chairman De Silva Keeps His Field
Clear, But Senator Landee Slips
a Cog in Moline.

Just now the republican party in
Rock Island county is having one of
the most interesting fights in its his
tory. It's. the organization against
those of the rank and file who refuse
to take orders from the chiefs. The
Insurgents are Charles Clark of Sher-
rard, candidate for representative, and
Charles E. Shallberg of Moline, aspir-
ant for the shrievalty.
While the nomination for sheriff
concerns only Rock Island county, it
has bearing on the more importans
question as to whether the organization
can deliver Thomas Campbell and
Frank E. Abbey for another term in
the legislature. Positive orders that
this be done have come from no less
parsonage than Governor c. S. Deneen.
Campbell and Abbey stood by Deneen
through their terms at Springfield.
Senator Frank A. Landee of Moline did
likewise However, Landee is assured
Of denomination, since he has no OPP
position in his own party. This is In
accordance with the organization pro-
gram. 1t was further decreed that
Campbell and Abbey should appear I'M
der the republican ballot caption as
the only candidates for representative.
The county committee here met and
endorsed Campbell and Abbey. This
was done to give them a clear field.
The action was taken far enough in ad-
vance to serve as warning to those who
might have been bothered by the bee
to curb their ambitions in the inter
est Of the party welfare"
- Refuses to Lie Down.
Doubtless there were several who
would liked to have gone in for the
nomination, but they side-stepped on
hearing of the commands of the organ
ization. But out in Sherrard there was
a spunky chap who declared that the
people were running the republican
party and not band of Office holders.
While he believed in organization, he
was one who did not propose to have
few men of his party tell him whether
he had a right to come out for an Office
And so he announced himself. Now
the batteries of the county organiza-
ton have been turned on Clark. For
instance, last week quietly there was
called here meeting Of the republican
senatorial committee, which caused to
be printed in the party organ an edict
that Campbell and Abbey each be given
one and half votes, and that repub-
ncans not cast three votes for any
one candidate. This latter was intend
ed as a yelled attempt to discredit
Clark, and the effect has been to
arouse the friends of the Sherrard as
pirant to greater activity. The organ
! ization seemingly wishes it to appear
that Clark is a rank outsider. Rock
Island county is the battle-ground in
the legislative fight. Campbell and
Abbey are pronounced local optionists,
while Clark is telling his friends that,
if elected, he will stand on the side of
the people on the liquor and all other
questions.
Doctor Makes Good; Senator FIun<s.
DR.. Joseph DeSilva, chairman of the
county committee, and Senator F. A.
Landee are recognized as the main
spokes in the Rock Island county re-
publican organization. According to
the winter book, the doctor was to con-
troll his home city and the senator was
to keep his thumb on Moline in carry
ing through the county and senatorial
program. The doctor has made good,
but the senator fiunked when he failed
to keep Shallberg, who wants to be
sheriff, of the main highway. B. F..
Knox of this city was urged by repub-
Hcans to become candidate for SEN
tor, and his friends say would likely
have announced himself but for the
responsiveness of the doctor. How
ever, Mr.. Knox is not seeking the NOM
ination for the senatorship. There
fore, Mr.. Landee is getting his full
quota Of sleep these nights.
Rose Feels Big stick.
The winter book provided that o. L.
Bruner of this city was not to have
any competition in his party for the
nomination OF sheriff. 1t is understood
Mr.. Bruner was assured of the nom
ination this year when he withdrew in
favor of Edward Kittilsen of Moline