Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-14
TIME TO COME CLEAN"


The people OF Rock Island who in
common with The Argus discouraged
the recall as it applied to Mayor H.
NJ Schriver and Commissioner Archie
Hart were not moved by sense Of
approval OF the administration Of NUM-
cipal affairs as so far conducted. The
Argus for its own part repeatedly
stated during the discussion and agi-
tation of the recall petitions that it was
not so much opposed to the form as
10 the promoters and the motive in
this particular instance II felt that
the city could not afford to permit any
lawless element in the community TO
succeed in getting two public officials
because those two officials had COM
PEELED the disgruntled elements that
were fostering the petitions ID obey
the laws of decency. II is the belief
Of The Argus that the majority of the
people Of Rock Island shared the con
victions so expressed
To be very frank. The Argus further
feels that but for its exposure of the
purposes and plans of the recall pro-
meters the petitions would have been
more generally signed than they were.
This indicates popular dissatisfaction,
and there must be cause.f for il. The
cause, The Argus believes. is neglect
pure and simple on the part OF the mu-
liciral commission Of the things il
was expected 10 do, neglect of the
moral welfare of the city, neglect of
the public Improvements, neglect TO
make good as the people anticipated
the commission would make good. The
Argus, having done it's part in saving
the two commissioners in question
from disgrace by setting itself against
permitting dlsorderly and disCredited
element 10 humiliate those officials,
and speaking for the citizens who have
stood by the commissioners whose rec
ords have been assailed. feels that it
has a right now TO call upon those
same commissioners to pay for the
consideration that has been shown
them by doing their duty.
II is time TO come clean" to be
very brief about It. 10 stop the boys
play in dealing with public conditions
and make the cleaning complete. II
is a regrettable fact. but no less a
true one, that Rock Islands moral
condition was never at a lower ebb
than IL is today. The Argus does not
want to be obliged 10 90 into detail.
but IL will do so if the administration
does not remove the causes for com
plant Every form OF vice is defiant
~ rampant and the city has become
the dumping grounds for evils that
would not be tolerated elsewhere. pub.
lie Improvements long since provided
for await the pleasure of contractors
who snap their fingers in the faces
OF the property holders who are 10
pay for the work and insolently infer
that they will begin when they get
good and ready. Meanwhile the
municipal administration supinely sub
mits. II permits itself TO stand in con
tempt and disrespect.
II is time for an awakening. The
commissioners whom II was sought tC
depOse having been sustained for what
they have done in moral cleansing
having been saved from the hands OF
those who sought to recall them anC
check them. must now go on with the
campaign. honestly, indisCriminately
and thoroughly. II is time for the right
kind OF a cleaning
This is not a plea. II is a demand in
the name OF the people