Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-30
PRESS CLUB IS
HOST TO JUDGE
F.E. THOMPSON
Tri- City NewsPaPermen Have, Din
Ler a5 Colonial 70 Honor New
Supreme Justice.
SAYS TT JUST HAPPENED"
Former States Attorney Accounts
for Rise by Willingness to
Take a Chance,


Justice Floyd Z. Thompson, ex-
to the supreme beach OF the state OF
Illinois.
Preceding an enjoyable talk by
Justice Thompson, Introductory
speeches were delivered by Joe Car
michael of the Davenport Times, L
r. Blackman Of the Moline Dis
patch and II. z. Simpson of The
Argus. Mr.. Carmichaefs address
was exceedingly clever and in a
droll and delightful manner he kept
ais audience in gales of laughter
From Editor to Judge" was the
subject assigned him.
L. R Bla ckman Of Moline told
how Thompson won in the PloW
city Mr.. BIackman emphasized that
he believed it to be because of pop
ularity and not because of partisan
politics. He closed by expressing the
hope that in memory of old times
the governors mansion at Spring
field and later of the White House
at Washington would be thrown
open to Press club members by
future Governor and later President
Floyd E. Thompson.
d 2. Simpson, a StaunCh ThOmp-
son supporter since the primary en-
trance of the former states attor-
ney into politics, divulged many IN
teresting and humorous incidents
and anecdotes concerning What
Know About Floyd"
Following Justice Thompson was
presented to the club by President
Roy Sears, who presided at last
nights meeting.
ut just happened" was the way
Judge Thompson characterized his
rise to the high office of judge in
the states highest tribunal. Il
know of 10 other such appropriate
way to sum up the reasons 1 hap
pen to stand before you in my pres
ent role" modestly declared the
jurist. Il just don't know how l
Happened to locate in East Moline,
Just how 1 entered newspaper
work. just how 1 CAME to run for
states attorney or just how 1 be-
came supreme justice, except that L
was always willing to take a chance
and it just happened.
Gains Many Friends.
But in my career l have gained
uldAy lTiSHuSr WHOSE
value very highly. 1t is my sole am
bition to conduct myself publicly
and otherwise that l might always
bear their approbation-that is en-
iuently self-satisfying Every man
has his bit to do in this world, and
If he does it well and does not mas
querade as something he is not, he
is a success.
of course I have those who have
opposed mel never call them enc
mies-I have always considered
them an asset. You know without
opposition there is no incentive to
battle, and no man realizes what he
can do until he gets lighting mad.
And thus those who have opposed
me-my misguided friends-have
played an important role in deter
mining what l chance to be-"
High tribute was paid to Illinois
youngest supreme justice by Cyrus
E. Dietz, prominent Moline attorney
and fellow member of the bar with
Judge Thompson. Don't get the
wrong impression" stated Mr.. Dietz.
THAT young man (indicating> AIR.
ThompsOn) is what he is, due in a
great part TO his own fighting, will
ing-to-ta e-a-forloTn-chance quail |
ties. 1t has not been all luck as He
so modestly stated. There sits one
of the greatest little fighters l ever
knew. And you alone are not proud !
Of him but the Rock Island County |
Bar association is proud of him. !
How much rather would l see /
young, energetic. snappy supreme |
Judge than a man parse in nature |
and fixed prematurely iRz opinion.
Power of Press.
The speaker devoted some time !
upon the power Of the press to IN !
1aeRce and mOld,Dublic opinion. He |
appealed to the GeWsTriteTs TO so !
conduct themselves and their power
that it might be to the benefit ,of !
the people. He deplored the cx-
tremes to which legislationists and |
lobbyists are going in the passing
of laws affecting almost every in
dustry, business and property hold
er.
Warning against government
ownership, Mr.. Dietz said "Show
me government with the power to
hire and fire 100000 employees and
Twill show you an autocratic gov
ernment." And again he said, Leg
islative cattle are attempting to
surmount the insUr mountable bar
riers of nature Ever were the laws
of man inferior to those of the Gre
ator and so they eyer shall be. We
are trying to cover too much terri
tory in reconstruction. do not be-
lieve that the league of nations Will
ever prove effective Our tendency
is not to go back but forward. We
have troubles aplenty of our own,
instead of burdening ourselves with
those of europe"
Unique programs conceived by
the entertainment committee fea-
tured a miniature cut of the first
page of the East Moline Herald of
he next to the last issue printed /
previous to the suspension of the /
before the war Judge
started with this paper,
later becoming its publisher. Music !
was furnished by Whites orches-
ira during dinner.
A committee was named by Pres
ident Sears at the meeting to meet
Mark Sullivan, famous author, upon
his arrival in Moline Thursday for
az address before the Moline After
Diner club. Those named were Fl.
P. Simpson, Z. P Adler, F. B.
Throop and John Sundine.
A letter from Congressman W. ].
Graham regretting his inability to
DO present was read by President |
Sears