Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-17
THE RECALL ROCK ISLAND


The Argus is not opposed to the re-
call in principle. On the contrary it
regards such a provision in connection
with the commission form of govern
ment as a safeguard placed in the
hands of the people, II correctly ap-
piled. Its abuse, however, would be
as damaging to good government as
the act on the part of any public Off
cial that would justify its use. The
Argus is opposed to using any instru-
ment of the law for the purposes of
revenge. The recall movement now
under way in Rock Island was prompt
ed purely by revenge. While doubt
less many good citizens have signed
the petitions. partly because they are
not altogether satisfied with the con-
duct OF municipal affairs or are dis
appointed in public officials, and part
ly through misapprehension-a a
number of them who are signing with
drawals have stated-the whole pro-
ceeding originated in a purpose to
get" the officials aimed at because
the law had been enforced as TO dis
reputable saloons. The saloon keep
er who defed the attempt of the city
to force obedience TO the law. who
continued to operate after forbidden
to do so until the power of the cir
cult court was evoked to compel
obedience to the law, is the father Of
the recall campaign and is it's chief
promoter. 1t is significant to say that
the Rock Island County Liquor Deal
ers' association upheld the hands Of
the municipal authorities in enforcing
the law against the dives that bring
disgrace upon the liquor traffic and
stood shoulder TO shoulder with the
municipal officers in carrying the case
into the court and compelling respect
for the law. The question that natur-
ally arises. therefore, is if the recall
is TO be brought into play every time
a persistent law-breaker is hit by the
law. how long will We have law and
deCency?
A suggestion. too. is warranted as
TO the publication OF the names Of the
signers of the recall petitions, by rea-
son OF a communication received by
The Argus from citizen who evident
ly signed petition under q misunder-
standing. why is it," he says, that
the signature TO a recall is not Just
as sacred and secret as a ballot. as
long as it serves the same purpose?
Why divulge how a man stands on
the recall any more than how he
stands in an election"
OF course the writer OF this inquiry
will have to fight it out with the law
so far as his inquiries are concerned
( The law was framed perhaps on the
/ idea that a man must be responsible
/ for his deeds. and in order to establish
the validity OF the recall petitions so
far as the bona fide nature of the sign
ers is concerned, they should be public
TO all. The Argus proposes 10 pub
lish the names of the signers to the
petitions, as 1t has already stated, in
furtherance OF its mission and pro-
vince as a purveyor of public infor
nation and with no other object il
view. II made the announcement in
advance because IL had learned that
signatures TO some of the petitions
had been obtained under the represen
tation that they would not be publish
ed. Under these circumstances The
Argus considered it a duty to an
nounce in advance it's own position
Had IT published the names without
prior announcement OF its intent. fl
might have been blamed.