The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-03-19


financial statement ordinarily made. sosn,
however, a. time and Opportunity viii present.
shall make myself acquainted with tnem, IN =.
their details and relations, and after having ooae
90 will by better able to judge OF the speens rec :.
ommend at,ons which may deem best to make 70
you concerning them. can say to You nor now,
ever, in general terms, that you snouid u All
times be watchful and careful In making approPrf
ations ever remembering that IL IL mueh easieI
10 create liabilities than il 10 to provide the means
IN d,scharRe them, when once incurred livery
department ut of the city government should Do con-
ducted with the strictest economy conslsteht Win
an efficient ful6lment OF the purpose TOT winch IL
in d designed. Under no circumstances should the
expenditures OF the city be permitted to go hey
its income. There is no one thing, which at this
,miltates against the growth and prosperity Of
our city much it's financial tenn barrasmelt.-
Every possible effort, therefore, should be made
TO red nee the present indebtedness of the city.
Concerning the Management of the Rock River
bridges, have few suggsstions to make: The
object had in view in the purchase of those brid-
ges by the city, was not to secure from their
a revenue, but for the purpose Of furnishing a
cheaper ngress to the city from those portions OF
the country lying south of Rock River, thereby
removing great obstacle in the way OF the peo-
pie Of those districts becoming moro largely trib-
utary to the business of our city. Ii was upon
this ground and this alone that the purchase of
the bridges was justified; and it was also upon
this represe ntation that our legislature was n
duced to sanction and legalize the purchase. How
for the past 1--WE years am unable to say. That
1t should be the governing consideration IN their
management have doubt. If, therefore, at
the present rates of toll, the amount collected 10
greater than the interest the cost OF the brid =
ges, together with the cost of taking charge of
them and keeping them in repair, would recon-
mend that the excess be used in the improvement
OF the present road between the city limits and
Camden. This would not be departing from the
original purpose, but would enable us to realize
fsllr thnh affnh had . hoyx
OF the bridges. l have no hesitation in saying
that the increase of tolls which would result from
the building of first class macadamzed road
between this city and Camden would paw for the
nothing about the advantages that would accrue
to the business OF the city. | merely throw out
these suggestions tor your future consideration !;
not fully satisfied in my own mind whether they
are practicable at this time not.
The sanitary condition of the city should receive
your special attention. This would be commend
able at all times and under all circumstances, but
more particularly so at this time. 1t is almost
universally believed that epidemic of cho lera
will sweep over country during he coming
summer and judging from past experience and
observation IT would not be reasonable 10 con-
clude that our city, situated as it is with great
lines of travel, will entirely escape its visitation
The extent to which 1t will prevail in our midst
will depend in no small degree upon the efforts
that are made by the city authorities in removing
those exciting causes of disease which always
exist greater less extent in town and cities.
The streets, alleys, sinks, drains, and sewers of
the city are deplorably filthy condition. and
exit aordDary and early efforts should be made to
have them cleansed and purified; and before the
commencement of warm weather, have the city
placed in as good a sanitary condition as the
means and circumstances will permit. II IN your
judgment this object can be attained more thor
oughly by the organization OF a board of health,
i would recommend that such an organization be
perfected Immediately in accordance with provl-
sion Of ordinance on the subject.
In conclusion, let me say to you, gentlemen,
there Is much to encourage us to labor diligently
and faithfully for the interests of the city. Tho
rapid development of the resources of the coun-
tIy in our immediate vicinity, particularly the
mineral resources; the great Improvements which
the increased attention which has been of late
directed to this as a rail read point or centre {;
the recent manifestations of more correct esti-
mate and appreciation of the many advantages
which our city affords for manufacturing; the I'M
itermly healthy and prosperous condition of our
business men,-all conspire to make us hope and
trust that new era of growth and prosperity has
already dawned upon our city. To all enterprises
calculated to build up and improve our city lei
US, if we cannot furnish them any material aid
ever be ready meet them with friendly and
encouraging word.
/ Sundry bills were then read and referred
to the committee on finance.
A petition from citizens AID legal voters OF
the 4th ward was read asking the city coun.
Gil to appoint one supervisor of streets in each
ward.
On motion of Aid Shsarer the petition
was received aud placed on file.
| The finance committee reported that they
! had examined the books of James NJ. Buford
treasurer, and found them correct and ha,
cancelled and burned the orders and ouponl
returned by him.
The committee appointed by the city coun
Gil to bring suit against P. L. Cable submit
thd the following
| The undersigned committee of the common
council of the city of Rock Island in the state G
| Illinois empowered by resolution to attend K
the interests of said city in relation to the Roc
Island Peoria Railroad company respectful
| report
| That they received in all the sum of FIVE hun
dred and twenty Ave dollars, to be used in an
about the prosecution of said suit and have e2
! pended the sum as follows
| Paid Charles A. Mclaughlin per his bill
herewith, S12
Paid Charles H. Osborn per his bill here
| with, 80
Paid Alfred Webster per mis- bill here
! with, 10
Total, 1892
That said Mclaughlin expended in ex-
penses as per his bill hereto attached, Sl07, 8
! And that he ia Untitled in full of services