Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-17

and brothel in the city is connected
with. or is nearby. the saloon. They
feed each other. They thrive by each
other. The saloon, the gambling den
and the brothel are the devils vile
trinity of moral evils Lawlessness in
Rock Island fourishes chiefly among
the vice and saloon sodden element of
the community Nearly every crime
is the child of a rum soaked brain
Mr.. Chatley recited Billy Sundays
definition OF the saloon and said il
could not be regulated. You might as
we'll try to regulate a powder mill in
hell he declared. Il tell you IL can't
be done. The saloon is a Iawless in
stitution. Il says not. 4 will rule or
ruin but. I will rule and ruin
He appealed TO good citizens for the
sake of their boys and girls 10 help
clean up Rock Island and keep it
clean.
PLACING THE BLAME.
But where rests the responsible
ity2" asked the preacher. Partially
with the mayor. He is authorized 10
license the saloon. II il violates the
law tas many do and openly he
has the power 10 revoke that license.
Does he dare 70 say that he does not
know that the law is being violated?
Partially with the commissioner of
public safety. Does he not know OF
the existence of these brothe.s, and
gambling places? II not. he is going
blind. and / suggest he borrow a pair
OF spectacles and write his resigna-
ton. If he does know, why does he
80 -
TO his orders? II they fail TO execute
his orders. they can be discharged.
The police are no. wholly TO blame.
Some are honest and efficient. They
obey the orders of their superiors.
honor and respect such men. But
say TO you. my fellow citizens. that IL
night officers are not sufficient TO
watch 80 saloons. 20 house of all-fame,
several gambling dens, and at the
same time protect the lives and prop
erty of our citizens upon the streets.
There are some who believe that two
or three of them have been too busy
protecting dive keepers. TO give much
attention 70 public safety.
"A gentleman of unquestionable
veracity told me the other day of over
hearing a dive keeper say: In 10
years hence. there will be no such
places in Rock Island When asked
why. he answered: Because IL costs
too much for police protection
Such an officer is on a par with the
scalawag preacher who borrows the
livery OF heaven 10 serve the devil In.
RESPONsIBILITY CITIZENSHIP.
More largely does responsibility
rest upon substantial citizens who
permit the existence of
these breeding places OF liceEtious- |
ness and crime. and refuse 10 demand
the enforcement of righteous laws. 4
Am l my brothers keeper? Yes. you
are. Vain IL every excuse for indiffer- /
ence and neglect. In the days of old. I
Cain denied his fraternal obligations
when he said: Am / my brothers I
keeper ] see the Cain spirit in Rock .
Island today. / see II In the man who /
selfishly eyades responsibility for a .
clean city: who puts dollars above I
manhood: and gold above health and .
home and happiness. Heaven pity the
man who would let morals TO. and
crime reign for supposed business
reasons Thank God such Shylocks
are few. Cowardice is leading some 10
saw What have 10 do with the moral
Welfare OF the city? I am not an Of
fetal But God says: What hast
.hou done. The voice Of thy brothers
blood crieth unto me from the ground
DO you say I am not interested. II
DOESN'T hurt me- You say that and
;alI yourself a Christian? Is that the
.fya of ,orr SOuI7 Why Cod AL
mighty could put a hundred souls like
ours in a ;himble and still have room
eft for the finger OF omnipotence!
Up TO THE CITIZENS.
1T seems TO be up 10 the citizens 10
secure the ends Of justice. Are we
.oing TO remain weakened. wishy.
yashy. protoplasmic. nonentities, and
Iermit the lewd and lawless element
o continue this reign OF terror?
Speaking for yourself. what have
ou TO saw"
Mr.. Chatley said he expected to be
for what he was saying and
old that he ought 10 keep quie- on
UGH subjects and preach the gospel.
ut that was what he was doing,
the gospel OF moral decency
nd public safety.
Nearly all public wrongs, says
x-Governor Hanly. grow out of the in
Inference OF the people. There are
many who thrill with patriotic. fervor
Z the thought OF going 10 war. and
isking their lives for their country,
ut who forget to vote on election
ay. Plenty OF men will die for their
Cuurry bur the man who will live forl