Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-07-04

NAH 09RuDT.
The 0asstis Of yesterday morning
devotss an entire column 10 . disserta
ton on the Main street question, and
like two boys on the opposite end Of
board, put through the fence playing
&c. sav, il b apparent that the Gazette
Joes not precisely know which side 1t
dare take, and it therefore makes an
argument in favor Of the Iowa College
and it. Injunction suit and thea turns
sbout and makes an argument favoring
the true interests Of the City 10 open
ing Main Street through the C>llege
grounds. 1t 10 iint up and then down,
nov estimating the benefits Of making
Main Street useful, and then running
wild with delight over the beauties Of
pubic square, which would be the
private property Of the College, and.
from which the owners could exclude
every person who should seek to walk
in IL gro"ndA and enjoy its shades. 1t
it 10 the shcerest nonsense, to talk Of
the benefit to our CITY of having that
square kept entire in the hands of the
College Trustees. 1t is private proper
~, and before long will be inclosed
with high fence, spiked at the top
with little sharp instruments intended
a. . trap for the pants Of climbing ur-
chins. Iowa ollege, whatever may
be their promises, will never permit
the ground to become free to the use
II the public. That is not the object
Of the Trustees in refusing to permit
Main Street to be opened. The sole
object is to preserve it from public use,
for the sole end exclusive use aud ben
eft Of the College ITSELF Examples
are abundA ut, that such institutions are
ever illibcrd about the public use Of
their grounds. Such is not the int Mt
Of Iowa College to open these grounds
to our citizens - cool retreat for
promenaders.
Now let us enquire into the reasons
for wishing to open Main Stree,
through this block. This Street is
perhaps one Of the easiest streets t.
grade for public highway out Of tn.
City over the bluff,that VIC have prop
erty owners arc not tho ouly persons
DESTROYS of having Main Street Gu
through. The entire travelling public
arc for it. Farmers, teamsters, resi-
dents north ofthe City, aud IN aud ou
Of the City are favorable to q speed,
improve. aent Of this Street and t
having it opened through College
Block. Why should it be resisted b,
any one except those connected with
the Coliegei What valid reason il
there for butting Main street up agains
the College fence and there letting i
end Tie public convenience is
thing Of permanent consideration
Iowa College is no better than an,
other property holder in respect to it
rights. Nor would the opening Of
street through that block be detrimen
tai to the interests of the College
With the exception Of this roadway
the College would still retain the entir
and exclusive use Of the grourds, affor
ding ample room for the exercises ant
sports ofthosc who attend that institu
ton. The building now erected upo
the West half Of the blocks or eigh
acre tract would not be encroache,
upon in the least, and on the East hal
any other building could be erected
which the growing wants Of the insti
tuition might require. We are no
among the number Of those who fail t,
appreciate the excellencies Of publ,
parks, breathing places for the roman
tic, and the toll worn laborer, but W,
full we'll know that these grounds Or
not public property. We know tina
it would be matter Of grace and dis
erection on part Of the College Trustees
- TO whether = citizen could be per
mitted to set . foot upon the blocl
without suit for trespass. We Dc
not propose to surrender the grea
benefits Of the use Of this street ~ ,
public highway, for the uncertainty o
one day being permitted to take 70
mantle walks in the COOL shades o.
College Squares. We would not crown
utility - monarch Of life, and nanacl,
al the 6ner feelings OF our nature u
slaves to profit and business but ".
see nothing in the proposition tina
demands. any such sacrifice. tn.
public demand the opening Of Mair
street; property owners on the street
demand il; rssideus north Of the City
demand It; and no sufficient reason ex
ists against the proposed Improvement
We leara by IN extract from . privatei
etser. received by agsatlem In thu city,
rom n Arbuckle. Indian Territory, that On
Indian recently arrested and confined At #
Arbuekle fearful that he would be hung
planned his escape. While the guard were
q dinner, he shot the sentinel having
char &c OF him. and eifectc1 IL. e.o.ca :.