Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-13
1T IS UP TO THE CITIZEN
SHIP.

SHIP.
The Argus has received many sin
cere compliments. many words OF ap-
preciative encouragement, anent fits at
titude in condemning prevailing moral
conditions in Rock Island. To a news
paper that IS doing its simple duty f.
is always cheering 10 know that its
efforts are recognized and sustained,
but the task Of remedying conditions
as they exist in Rock Island is not for
the press alone. As has been said and
repeated in these columns II is up to
the citizenship to do its part. The
newspaper may throw a limelight on
the evils that prevail; IL may point
them out and condemn them. II may
raise its voice in protest and demand
their removal. but it should not be
considered the premier required obi
cation OF the press 10 single handedly
abate evil.
II ought not TO be expected that a
newspaper give over its columns 10
the publication Of a directory OF the
resorts that harDOr evil and encour-
age crime. The Argus has in the past
frequently refused 20 lend its space to
such purposes. and while it has oc-
CURED and may occur again that cir
cumstances demand the reference to
certain conspicuous instances OF no
torious violation Of law and decency.
there should be no necessity OF going
into a detailed narration OF every low
place that affords cover for every form
OF vice.
II is not the special province OF the
paper TO become infOrmer nor 10 act
in the capacity Of detective. nor vet
further, TO assume the entire duties
OF the police and those men placed In
charge OF this part OF the city's work.
u should be quite enough that The
Argus stands ready TO assist the police
department and citizens in general
and sustain any move toward prosecu- [
tion and condemnation OF vice and the I
bringing about OF more healthful moral
conditions.
The situation is one in which the
common citizenship cannot escape its
.respC visibility IL Rock Island is 10 be
lifted out OF the mire. and il was in
realization OF this fact tina. the sug-
Gestion has been made in The Argus I
OF representative body OF men going .
10 the city hall and demanding OF the I
mayor and commissioner OF police
hat the Infamous dives be closed and /.
'undesiTables and disreputables OF both I.
sexes. black and white. be driven out .
Of town and kept ont. The question .
=. are there a sufficient number OF men I
OF conviction and courage IN Rock Is \
land 10 go TO the front on such a mis-
sion. IL Is easy 70 spur others on 20 /
do the right thing. but IL is the man
OF action rather than OF words who Is ,
wanted and needed IN Rock Island .
these days
All newspapers are familiar with
the hypocritical sicker-on; the man
who advises. give EN- halleluiah'
and Who when asked 10 sign his name
20 such assertion IS an evidence OF
good faith. sneaks round the corner.
For such moral towards the rank and
file OF citizenship have abject con-
tempt man admits either OF right
or wrong. II he possesses no strong
convictions on this score he f. a men
ace 10 a community. a little less dan
gerous than the law-breaker only be-
cause OF the yellow streak.
1t IL not a pleasant task for a news
paper To harp on unsayOry conditions
that make a city notorious. Rather
would The Argus have its columns de
voted 10 the legitimate accomplish
ments and success OF Rock Island.
but whea murder becomes a frequent
occurrenth. when men are he'd up and
women gagged and robbed and men
go 70 their homes in groups because OF
IT need make no apology for
diligently pointing the way 10 a return
10 civic decency.
The good name OF Rock Island IS
vitality at stake Already. be Il said
in shame. IL is known in croOkdom as
a safe place TO land and IL IS 10 find
The source Of the assurance that IL Is :
a home" for criminals that every
good citizen should resist and cry out :
q gainst. II
In any analysis that may be made OF =
the situation. locally speaking. the en-
tire question reverts back 70 the re-
sponsibility OF the citizenship To the 1
outside world. the citizenship OF an I
community IS judged by the /
moral standard of that community. II ?
he people do not want a state OF az
airs TO exist they would not exist. +
az the casual observers on the outside \
or. aSSuredIy II the people who are
eareet TO the evil and who suffer-