Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-28
THE ABUSE OF TAvENNER.

that the campaign in which he is max
ing the race for congress in this dis
trict, might pass without the indul
gence OF personalities on either side.
So far as Mr.. Tavenner and his friends
are concerned. this policy has been
consistently adhered to. II remained
for Judge c. J. Searle and those con-
spicuous in espousing his candidacy
to throw the first stone. They began
firing brick bats the moment that Mr..
Tavenner began his campaign, and
have continued 1t with scarcely any
interruption since. Falsehood and
Misrepresentation and personal abuse
OF Mr.. Tavenner have been his portion
at the hands OF those who speak for
or in behalf of his opponent His own
| family has not been spared. Even his
aged father, a long time resident OF
the upper end Of the county, and an
old soldier, has been referred to slight
/ ingly-and all because his boy, OF
whom he has a right to be proud, and
is proud, has become candidate for
congress.
Quite in contrast with the shameful
treatment OF Mr.. Tavenner, the cam
paign that has been conducted by him
and in his behalf has been absolutely
free from personalities or abuse.
Judge Searle has been treated with
the highest evidence Of regard, and no
disres pectful thing has been said OF
him by Mr.. Tavenner, or by the news
papers supporting him. Discussion
has been confined to the legitimate
phases OF the situation as It involves
in so peculiar a way. Judge Searles
candidacy. The predicament in which
he has found himself in being obliged
TO declare whether he is a full fiedged
republican Of the old type, standing
in accordance with the principles of
the party whose nomination he sought
and received. or a progressive of the
modern or Roosevelt type, has been
properly commented upon, and 1t has
been mildly suggested that he apprise
the people at this time which he pre-
fers, the party that has honored him
with a nomination or the progressives
who have sprung into existence since
he received that nomination.
So far, be it said, Judge Searle has
failed TO declare himself For the
sake of legality, he has permitted his
name 10 remain on the republican bal
lot, while at the same time seeking
TO secure and retain the endorsement
Of the progressive party, which, as
Theodore Roosevelt and his campaign
manager. Senator Dixon, declare, is
as distinct and separate in its object
and aims from the republican party as
any two political organizations could
be.
But reference to this somewhat I'M
usual state Of affairs which has devel-
oped TO harrass Judge Searle is as
far as any of his opponents have
gone, in commenting upon his candi-
p dacy.
Mr.. Tavenner, on the other hand,
has been slandered and maligned day
after day. He has been accused of
fraudulenuy using the government
mails by taking advantage of the
franking privilege Of congressman to
writings which have gone into the
, Congressional Record. And yet he has
done nothing that the postoffice de
partment did not approve ., and for
which he has in his possession the
written rulings of the second and third
assistant postmaster generals, as well
as the postmaster general himself. II
Mr.. Tavenner, as a working newspa
per correspondent in Washington
a.. writing on topics of national impor
lance that lie near TO the hearts OF
, the people, has been regarded as sc
! much an authority on those principles
q as 10 have been quoted by members OF
. congress- and thus have the reference
= printed in the Congressional Record
and then have members OF congress
think enough of him to send out COP
2 les of the Record to the voters of his
district under their right and privi
lese, at absolutely no expense to the
, people, is that any reflection on Mr..
Tavenner? Rather. is it not an evi
, dence Of the standing he has in Wash
ington as a man who, by his writings
+ is doing something for the people?
: Mr.. Tavenner has been assailed a:
e a nonresident of Rock Island county
{ and yet Cordova has always been hi.
= home, Notwithstanding that his worl
5 has kept him in Washington. Is 4
!. not peculiar that this line Of ATTACK
a was not raised against him by his Cd
{ ponent. Congressman James McKin
a ney, two years ago, nor thought OF
e then by his present opponent, Judge
g Searle?
I Mr.. Tavenner has been belittled be
4 cause he is not a man OF means anC
0 because his whole life has been de
voted so much to toll that he has no
e had the time TO come home or To pre
+ pare himself 70 pose as a statesman
a Because he has not sought. and doe,
!. not seek now. 10 appear as anythins
J.. but a plain commoner, who has done
MS duty honestly and according Il
The dictates of his conscience and fol
D the rights Of the people. he must b,
held up 10 ridicule and scorn.
= Such attacks as are being made m
: clyde Tavenner will not hurt him witt
2 the people who study his character