Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-16
The New City Administration


In electing Mr.. schriyer mayor the people
OF Rock Island showed their preference for a
man who had been tried and not found wanting
over one whose fitness for the office was large
ly matter Of conjecture. They Also without
a doubt meant to administer a rebuke for
some Of the things said about the former ex-
ecutive in the heat OF the contest-things which
were unjust and overdrawn, and in some cases
wholly without foundation.
Mr.. Schriver's former administration was
not perfect. No one knows that better than
himself. He made mistakes, as all mayors do,
but for all that there was more real substan-
tial accomplishment under his regime than
there had been under any that preceded. 1t
was notable for its improvements and the ter
ritorial growth the city made in the face OF a
bitter resistance. The majority of the people
did not lose sight OF what M. Schriver had
done and they resented obviously false impu-
tations and unjust criticisms directed against
him during the campaign.
On his side Mr. Schriver no doubt made
mistakes during the contest which alienated
some support, otherwise his victory would have
been a still more sweeping one.
The Chamber of Commerce should not have
been brought into the fight Its policies were
not involved as an issue and It did not Off
cially take part either against or for Schriver.
1t was not responsible for the organization of
the CitizensN Civic federation, for which, by the
way. no apologies need be offered, and it was
not linked with the latter organization at any
time. The Chamber did not transcend its rights
when it invited candidates to come before it
and state their principles and its members do
not blame Mr. Schriver for refusing to take
in fha IA was a
command and acceptance was entirely op-
tional. Mr.. Schriver, it may be stated, is a
member of the Chamber of Commerce and is
in full sympathy with its legitimate purposes.
The handbiIls which made their appearance
on election day attacking the Chamber and
it's able secretary, Mr.. Bender, were entirely
out of place 1t is a fact, conceded by those in
position to know that but for the activities of
. the Chamber, directly mainly by its secretary,
the highly creditable showing the city made
in the various Liberty bond and other war
campaigns would have been impossible.
Mayor-elect Schriver, fortunately. is san
sible enough TO discern the motives behind the
effort to embroiI the city's leading commercial
organization and broad enough to overlook the
heat and haste shown by those who were mis-
led by it The Argus is confident that what
ever i'll feeling has been engendered wilt
quickly SuUSlQe anu the new dnO
the Chamber OF Commerce will be found work.
ing together tremendously for the good of the
city.
Their reelection constitutes fine endorse
ne1t Of the efficiency displayed by Commits
s.oaers John A. Murrin Of the department of
pabHc buildings and grounds, and Martin T.
Rudgren of the department Pf public accounts.
The formers handling of the water department
during the four years he has served has given
yentire satisfaction. Mr.. Rudgren has served
for two terms in his present capacity and his
record has been one that the voters took the
opportunity to endorse by rolling up total for
him greater than that given any other can
didate.
The Argus endeavored during the campaign
to impress upon all candidates the urgency
of the need for strict enforcement of the laws