The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-04-04
ORDNANCE OFFICE,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, March IA, 1866.

washington, MhEcu Ii, 1COos
Hon. Z. NJ. Stanton. Secretary of War:
SHIN answer to the senate resolution
of the 9th inst, in reference to further legis-
lation respecting the occupancy of Rock Is
land, Illinois, for military purposes, have
to report:
It's essential to the proper execution of
the provisions of the act of April 10, 1864,
that the present location of the Chicago x
Rock Island Railroad on Rock Island, and of
the bridge leading thereto, should be changed
90 as to fix the position of the road, which is
essentially necessary, on the lower end of the
island, and to establish wagon roads across
each bridge, open to the government at all
times, for the transportation of materials and
the ready access or egress of persons in gov
eminent employ. free of charge, to and from
the island. 1t is thought that the present
position of the railroad on Rock leland is
without authority of law. and is held merely
| on sufferance 1t is not such as to accord
| with the purposes of the government in occu-
Dying the island for military purposes, but
may be made so by the change of location
| and the establishment OF wagon roads across
| the bridges, as above suggested in CONSIDER
alton of which, permanent right OF way may
| be granted and secured by law to the railroad
company, with such other aids from the gov
ernment in efscting the same as may be
l
board of commissioners authorized, under the
act of April 10, 1864, and may be approved
by the secretary of war. The new location
| of the railroad with the extent of grouni to
| he occupied and held by the company. and
the character and all details of the wagon
road bridges should be subject to the decision
of the secretary of war, so as to make the
| whole best accord with the purposes of the
government In q military point of view.
The act of April 19, 1864, before referred
to. gives authority to the secretary of war to
take and hold full, complete and permanent
possession, in behalf of the United States, of
all the lands and shores of the island Of Rock
Island, in the state of Illinois; and the only
additional legislation that will be necessary
to effect the same in regard to the small con-
tiguous islands, known as Benham's, Will
sons, and Winnsbago Islands, will be to ex-
tend the provisions of that act so az to in
olude them. Their ownership and occupan-
CIV by the United States are necessary for
carrying out the military purposes of the act,
in addition to the ownership and occupancy
J of the lands and shores of Rock Island al
ready provided for.
The claims for property on the small is
lands and of those whose property on Rock
Island has been taken in pursuance of law,
| amounts to 1898. 600
That amount, however, is considered toe
, | great, and the claims are subject to examiua
ton by q board of commissioners, provided
by Law, who are to ascertain the true and
just amount of each and to report the same
to the United States circuit court, which is Il
order payment. The appropriation necessary
TO liquidate these claims cannot exceed the
amount above stated, $685., 600-but may and
probably will be, less. want to suggest an
appropriation for this purpose of that sum
or SO much thereof, rs may be necessary &c
I pay claims for such amounts, respectively, as
may be reported by commissioners, and or
dered by the United States circuit court TO b.
paid.
1t is estimated that the requisite approprI
, alton for securing water power at the head o
Rock Island will be $1,000 600 This power
will be necessary for carrying on work at tb,
arsenal of construction directed by law to b,
established on the Island, and it should ans
may be secured in such . manner az to I'm
0 prove the healthfulness of the Island and nd
: iacent main lands, and also for the naviga
ton of the river
To erect storehouses for the preservation
OF arms and other munitions of war at Rocl
0 Island arsenal, and to establish communities
tion between the arsenal and the cities o
Davenport. Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois
there should be present appropriation o
100000.
Respectfully suDmlt the following eketcl
OF an act such as 10 contemplated by the res
olution:
An ACT making further provision fer the establish
, ment Of an Armory and Arsenal of construction
deposit and repair, on Rock Island, in the Stat
of Illinois.
BE it enacted, &c., That the secretary O
war be and is hereby authorized and directst
: to fix and establish the position of the Chica
60 Rock Island Railroad on the leland Q,
az to best accord with the purposes of gov
eminent in it's occupancy of said Island fol-
military purposes; and, in order to sffsc
( this, he 10 authorized to grant to the railroad