The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-04-12
The Horse Railroad,

Sometime ago we stated that, we were
informed that the charter for the horse rail-
road provided for the opening of books for
subscriptions for the capital stock of the
company, and that the incorporators were
only commissioners for the purpose of organ
izing the company. We were deceived
humbugged, on that subject, and there was
no truth in the statement, as a persusal of
the charter, published below viii show. The
charter belongs to the persons named in it,
and they are trying to get the best terms they
can out of the city council. The pretence
that they wont build the road unless they get
all they ask is only set up to bully the city
council, and should have no weight what
ever. IF they ask the people to give them
privileges which the people ought never to
give away, the council should stand firm and
refuse. If they refuse to build the road be-
for nothing) which the people ought not to
part with--then let the road remain unbuilt.
1t would be the height of folly for the city
council to betray the interests of the people
to please horse railroad. company or any
other corporation. Give the the horse rail-
road fair and reasonable chance with other
people, but do not give away the whole city,
or give the horse railroad company any priv
eleges which viii interfere with or jeopardize
the rights of the people. Don't tax the
people to build or keep in repair horse
railroad and deprive the people of any rev
enue from the road.
1t is the same old ferry fight, over again
The ferry gets charter requiring the PEG
pie to keep levee, or landing place, in re
pair, but pays no wharfage Now, the hors,
railroad wants exclusive privileges, and it il
the duty of the city council to make then
recompense the public in some way, for thu
exclusive privilege or monopoly they asl
for 1t is very easy to vote away the right
of the people, but not SO easy to recoye
them when once parted with.
The following is the charter:
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE MOLINE AN
ROCK ISLAND HORSE RAILROAD COMPANY.
Section l. Be it enacted By the people of The Stat
of Illinois represented the General ssenbly. Tha
Ben. Harper, - Robinson, S. w. McMastel
Charles Atkinson, John Deere, John NJ. Gould
and A. Webster, their associates and assigns ar
hereby created body polite and corporate b
the name and style of "the Moline and Roc
Island Horse Railroad Company" and by tina
name they and their successors shall have a
power incident to corporations, for the term O
fftp years, for the purposes hereinafter mention
ed.
SEC. 2. The said corporation is hereby author
lied and empowered to construct, maintain an
operate, by horse, mule steam power, a sing
double track railway, with necessary and COZ
yenient tracks for turn-outs, for side tracks, an
appendages, in the town of Moline and city
Rock Island, and over and along such street.
roads, highways or bridges within the limits {
said town of Moline and city of Rock Island. an
over the county road between the limits of sal
Moline and Rock Island in such manner as sha
be authorized by the authorities having jurisdic
ton ever said streets, roads and highways.
Sec. 3. Said corporation may own and pos
sess real estate, sufficient for the accommodate
and convenience of their business and ma
transport on said road, passengers and commo
dties at such rates of fare rs shall be fixed by tn
by laws and regulations of said company.
SEC. 4. The business management and diree
ton OF the affairs of said company shall be veste
IN board of directors to be elected by the stock
hoiders,fr among themselves and said compan
arc hereby authorized to establish any bylaws o
regulations ana to alter or amend the same q
shall appear necessary to carry out the provision
oil TINS act Provided the said by-laws and regu
iations do not conflict with or be repupnant L
the laws of this state, or of the United States
Sec 5. The capital stock of this corporatio,
may ne one hundred thousand dollars (S100, coo
with the right to increase the same if reou;red n
promote the facilities of said corporation.
DEC. .. This act to take effect and be in fore
run ana after its passage, and to be public act
approved Feb. 81, 1857 60
A