Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-01
Ministers Offer Remedy
For City's Redemption

DR.. W. 8. Marquis OF Broadway Pres |
byterian church, at the evening service
yesterday, spoke on The Problem Of
Saving Cities" Briefly stated, he gave
the ways and agencies by which cities
may be saved, as follows:
Decentralization. Let IN the light
II has marvellous power to drive out
evil. Make a survey of the city COM
plete and absolutely impartial.
Capitalization We must have
more efficient methods of educating
the voter. It is impossible for the av-
erage man to become acquainted with
all the issues and candidates present
ed for his consideration. There IL
need OF a non-partisan committee to
investigate and report to the voter.
Such is the voting league Of Chicago.
When the evil forces in society have
such an organization. it il time for the
forces of good to do likewise.
REORGANIZATION. Let there be
federation of all the forees-all socie-
ties and clubs in the city which desire
its welfare, for the frank and fearless
discussion of all issues together. Let
there be the utmost freedom Of opin-
ion. Our community is too much d.
vided. We do not know and under
stand each other. There ought TO be
some place where we can all meet, and
give and take in good spirit, and IN
charity, until we come together upon
some things which we all want to see
done.
But the most unique and ambitious
effort TO save the city is that known as
the commission government. 1t has
been called the anti-toxin for the po-
litical boss disease. II had its origin
in Galveston, Texas, after the tidal
wave disaster. Between Jan. /, 1906.
and Feb. 1, 1912. no less than 1876 cit
les in 33 states had adopted 1t. A most
interesting article in the April Tech
nical World reviews the results thus
far developed. It Acknowledges that
It has not yet been tried long enough
10 Justify the statement that 1t will
solve all our civic problems, but main
tains that it's merits are many and
plain. II reduces the number of can
didates, centers responsibility, expe-
dites business, most OF all, 1t Is helping
to develop a sense Of civic pride and
responsibility in our cities.
"This experiment in our own city has
not yet been fully or fairly tried. Our
commissioners took hold OF an excep-
tionally difficult situation. They have
had but IL months IN which to solve
the problems presented. We deny no
man the right TO his opinion as to the
wisdom of this experiment, or to his
estimate OF the efficiency Of this ad'
ministrauon; but we do call upon ev
cry citizen who has the welfare OF the
city at heart TO give the experiment
and the commissioners a fair chance
We make no defense or apology fol-
mistakes that have been made, but we
plead for patience. for the spirit OF
peace. and the recognition OF lawfully
constituted authority. This becomes
every good citizen, in ONCE and out Of
IL. He that taketh the sword, shall
perish by the sword The evils rife II
our city can never be cured by VIC
lence. Let us appeal TO reason, TO thu
courts, to the lawful authorities. Onl!
thus can We make this experiment |
success and save our city further hu
initiation and loss.
The church OF Christ has deflnit
work to do in saving the city. 1t mus
do its part in teaching the young t
reverence law and order. 1t mus
steadfastly hold up Christ's standar
OF righteousness and law OF love bt
tween man and man II must remen
Der that simply loyalty unto its Lor
is a quiet leaven of the spiritual powe
IN society. Its members must stan
together. not only in protesting tn
right, but in practicing and preachin
It. History reveals a constant evol,
ton toward the high ideals Of Jesu
Christ The church must be the ager
and channel Of this moral force whic
Is regenerating society and saving tn
world" :
Rev. II. E- Newland OF the F1rs
Methodist church spoke on ''The Chri
tan citizen IN Relation 20 Good Co
eminent" Mt the church yesterday. II
spoke in part as follows:
-Bvery man IN the commonwealt
leads O dual life-a private one und'
the shadow of the home, and a publ
one under the BYE OF the state. AS
father. brother, or son. he owes oe
tain duties to God, certain other
ties 70 the family OF which he IS
part, and certain other duties 20
country. These civic duties are col
prised under the name OF patriotism
N,,,r a.
90 the laws, institutions and COVER
ment OF which the patriot forms a pa