The evening Argus., 1868-05-12

at Rock Island, Of which the speaker had
had the honor to be . member, to prepare
pamphlet setting forth the advantages of
the Island for military uses. That pamphlet
was, through the instrumentalty Of com
mittee from Rock Island, published in
nearly all the prominent newspapers of the
northwest, and was furnished, by our COM
mittee sent to Washington, to every member
of congress, and to the war and executive
departments. He had no doubt that it had
q weighty influence in attracting attention
to this point, and powerfully contributed to
the passage of the act Of congress TOR the
establishment of the arsenal here. He did
not think Major Kingsbury, the first CONF
mandant sent here, comprehended the work
before him. In Gen. Rodman, however,
one of the master minds of the army, he
recognized the proper man for the concep !
ton and supervision of such vast designs
He thought that the government had made
fair proposition to the c. r. l. q +. II. II.
Co., and that the new bridge, ii built, would
be a splendid structure, which would endure
for ages. He didn't consider it necessary
to discuss the advantages which would ac-
crus from il. Within radius of seven
miles around the Island, now dwelt over
50. 900 souls Camden, Moline. Rock Is
land and Davenport, when united BY the
free bridge, would really form but one great
city. The government improvements would
be the cause of pushing it on to wonderful
wealth and population. The little that had
already been done had giveu mighty i'm
| netus to Moline and Camden. Even the
| noble improvements now prospering under
the superyision and energy of Sears 4 Sons,
at Rock River. had indirectly sprung from
the government operations on the Island.
| Build the bridge and it would be like filing
| in the Mississippi with solid earth, and yet
retaining all the advantages of river naviga-
ton. and enabling crossings to be made free,
and at all times of the season, and IN any
weather. Thus the fertile agricultural Sec
tions in the rear of Davenport would be-
come united with the unrivalled water power
and manufacturing advantages on the Rock
Island side, to form magnificent centre
not equalled in the Mississippi Valley
Commerce and manufactures would strike
hands, and be as one. The farmers or
| either side the river would have four mar
kets in which to dispose of their grain anc
produce. Trade from farthest regions woulC
be attracted to this point. The good for
; tune of one city, would be that of the othe
three, for they were like the human body
iniure one Of its members and oil the other
suffer. He also briefly traced the course O
the opposition monopoly, from the time,
| his remembrance, when it possessed singh
: | horse ferry boat, to the present, when
possesses money, influence, and the power
, ! ful friends which these will secure. Publ
meetings and proper resolutions were neee
sary to undeceive congress. Petitions, als
should be resorted to, and he believed SOM
thing beyond oil these would be found n
eessary to counteracs the iusidious inhuenc
used to delay if not defeat the bridge-pe
, haps the sending of a committee to Was
ington to show up the matter in its prop
light. After further extended remarks
4 | concluded.
,e Mr.. Osborn was loudly called for. /
>. took the stand. He had felt great deal
interest in the subject now before the peol
Dr. of Rock Island and Davenport he did n
,a believe that they were fully alive to the da
n ger which threatened their favorite scheu
u He did not believe that the opposition to
"a great government bridge was fully appreci
of ed, and feared that it might be apprecia,
a, when too late. The lethargy into which c
tv citizens on either side the river seem to hs
ck fallen, must be shaken off, or all our hoI
he for the future, as far as the Island is G
is cerned. may be laid aside. A deeper inter
ed must be exhibited in the matter. He
he luded to the ferry monopoly rs the sole cal
de of the pending danger. 1t was vitality
,u- volved, and being backed by money, frien
,e. and influence, was not by any means to
,ns despised. 1t had already secured the
of operation of member of congress fr
ad Illinois, and when the local member
he gained, the others generaly follow him.
;tb had been represented in Washington t
lad the proposed free bridge would be post
aid detriment to Rock Island--that the pee
~. did net wish it built Rock Island had
e,t gun to arouse, and desired the active aid
,ad Davenport to correct these misreprese'
vas tions. Than this free bridge, no public W
Ioe had ever been projected in either city,
If such vast importance aud utility. v
.ar interest must be excited to combat and
feat the efforts of selfish men. He refer
,olr to the meeting of the Rock Island Boarc
,ol | Trade on Friday evening, OF last week,
,ho gave brief and sarcastic sketch of the a
mn ments advanced by Capt Robinson on
,era occasion. He considered it narrow
,eo selfish view to take, that either place w
not be damaged By the other. in case OF
? to building of the bridge. Their interests
ion 80 thoroughly identical, that this would
9 of an impossibilisy. He did not think it nc
, a, sary to give reasons to q Davenport audi
and why they should be enthusiastically in {
ter of the bridge. Even the boys in the ST.
;nce could see the advantages of it. We had
INN. our side of the river, some peculiar adva
ss- ges, especially in water power and
RON. while in the rear of Davenport was tc