Rock Island Argus., 1915-01-28
FAR FETCHED CRITICISM
AND THE CAUSE.

I AND THE CAUSE.
7 Only the narrow-b0und in politics
would like. usleh less seek. 70 have
the people believe that nobody out a
republican may under any circum-
stances prove qualified 10 serve sue
cessfuIIy and with distinction the -Four
tsenth district in congress. When.
added 20 the misfortune OF those so
afflicted with partisan bias as 10 see
no good in those VINO stand for prin-
ciples other than their own. there crops
out the spirit of Jealousy ana malice,
the spectacle so presented becomes
the more deplorabIe. Fortunately the
public is too broad -gauged and inteili-
gent TO be moved BY such unworthy
motives.
II the truth were known the sudden
dislike for Congressman Tavenner, ap-
parent In but a single spot in the dis
trict. and that. sad to relate. in Rock
Island. Is not due 10 the fact that he
has been Inactive and has failed 10
do things. as IS charged, but on the
contrary because he has been active
and has done things.
II ought to be sufficient 10 say that
the people gave the lie during the
campaign to the charges now being re-
nswed against the wide-awake con-
gresham. by reelecting him in a here
tofore normally republican district and
the people OF the congressman's home
county gave him a plurality both in
Rock Island city and Rock Island
county. the first time a democratic
CONGRESSMAN has carried this county
In years.
That at Rock Island arsenal there
are now employed 500 more men
than at any time in It's history
the few months OF the SpGnish-Ameri-
can war alone excepted-due absO ute
Is and undeniably TO the effect Of the
bin which Tavenner got through con
gress az its first session providing that
90 per cent OF war materials be uanu-
factured at government arsenals, is
proof positive OF his activities in be-
half of the community in which he re-
sides. At the present session. and
since the FIRST Of the year. Congress /
man Taveuner has succeeded after Z
aeht that would have discouraged .
many Os less determination 10 having In .
the money appropriated for army
as IL passed the house a clause provid- .
INK for the expenditure OF all OF the .
81 zoo. 900 appropriated FOR manufac-
ture % army supplies in government .
arse1aIs- II this passes the senate II .
wiu probably Increase the number OF .
men employed a. Rock Island arsenal .
.o 1000 or 1000 men. He has also
been able 10 strike a body blow az the
Taylor system OF shop management
IS having Il specified that none -
he money appropriated for army
purposes can be used IN
payment for services In enforcing OBJ
features of this system.
Strangely coincideut with the more
recent of Taveuncr'g success In reduc-
nE 20 the minimum the army supplies
hat have heretofore gone to private
and also eliminating still
urther the power OF the siave-drivins
Taylor system IN government industry.
ias come this recent outbreak in a sin
.ie isolated instance Of former attacks
ipon the Congressman. showing con-
.lusIvely that Il is the weil-doing %
he congressman for the people, rather
han HIS lack OF energy. that has made
i'm a target for fresh abuse.
Besides these things. all accom-
iished in his first term. Mr. Tavenner ,
as done a great deal more for labor. !
OF the old soldiers. and for other indi- !
iduals in his district than the average :
ongressman-
And then. and most ridiculous OF all, 3
Is asserted that Mr. Tavenner has .
allen out with Speaker Clark ais firm ;,
-ieud since he has been in Washing ,
IN. and can get no recognition on the :.
cor OF the house. There Is no founda- :,
on whatever for this statement II :.
true that recently when he sought
ie door FOR the purpose OF exposing .
he methods OF the chief OF ordnance
2 was denied IL on strictly technical. .
grounds. That was dur =
x the fight TO have the provision al :,
.ady referred 10 for the use OF all OF :,
us years appropriation for manufac- >
res in government arsenais and TO :,
inmate the Taylor system. in which =
) persisted and was successful. =,
The Fourteenth district was never ~
ore capably represented in congress. :,
spite frenzied efforts in certain quar- :.
- to convince the people otherwise. =
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