Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-29
Answers to Shuman's Plant

Chicago, Jan. 29.-The following let !
tiers were sent to Irving Shuman in re-
ply to his letter of Jan. "a to Carter
II. Harrison, chairman of the com
mittee Of 250:"
Chicago. Jan. 26, 1912-Trving Shu.
man. Sullivan, Ill.-Dear Sir: Your
resignation as a member of the com
mittee Of $50" from the Nineteenth
congressional district, bearing date Of
Jan. q, 1912. is accepted.
There are several statements in your
letter. however, which / cannot permit
to go unchallenged.
In the first place, you state you
heard one Of the prominent Cook coun-
ty members OF the committee explain
in detail how he proposed to run men
for precinct committeeman under the
Cuise of their favoring the candidacy
Of ex-Mayor Dunno. in precincts where
ex-Mayor Dunno had great strength,
when, In reality, they would be oppos-
ed 10 his candidacy. You must have
paid slight attention TO the proceed
ings Corporation Counsel Sexton stat
ed hat this was the policy being pur-
sued by the so-called regular state or
ganization, which would try 10 elect
precinct committeeman by claiming
their candidates 10 be Dunno men in
Dunno territory, Alschuler men in AL
schuler territory. and presumably in
country districts. where ox-Congress-
man Caldwell Is strong, would try to
sneak their men through under the
pretense of their favoring Mr. Caldwell
as a gubernatorial candidate. Mr..
Sections statement was a warning and
not a suggestion.
II was because we believed in fight
ing fairly and above board that the
attention Of the country members was
called 10 this condition of affairs. In
other words. instead of our stating the
kind Of fight we proposed 20 make. we
called attention 10 the kind of fight
actually being made by The opposition.
The country members were made ar
quaintod with the methods being en-
pl0yed in order that these methods
might be met and he effect be nulli-
lied
IN the second place, your statement
that plate matter. free of cost, is be-
ing sent out by the committee Of ESQ.,
is also an error. This plate matter has
been sent out by an organization call
ed, . believe, the Illinois Democratic
Editors association, which is separate
and distinct from the committee of
300 is not controlled by that commit
ire, and is certainly entitled TO its
own IDEAS and principles.
Tho committee OF 25O." as a com.
mittee. has neither candidate for pres
iden. nor for governor. It's members
are entitled 10 favor any candidate FOR
these two Offices they may prefer. Its
sole purpose is TO attempt to secure
tic control OF the democratic party OF
the state In the hands of men who be
licve in democratic ideas and in homes
political methods. and who will eXer
themselves TO win democratic victor
Tvs. IL is opposed to bipartisan al
llauCCs for spells. II believes a part!
organization should work for party
yucCcss and not for the personal prof
81 its members II insists that the so
called regular organization. today il
control Of the party, has ridden tn,
party 10 defeat in every campaign sine,
It first gained control, namely, a. IN,
convention OF 1904. characterized al
the "train-robbers' convention" by vii
liam j. Bryan. Under such Leadership
e. does not believe il will be a pOssib
ity in the future TO win democrats
victory I'm Illinois.
You we're asked to join the move
ment because we were led to beliey
you favored these ideas.
Yours very truly.
CARTER II. HARRISON.