The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-05-09
The Responsibility for Defeating
the Free Bridge and the Ae-
building Of the Approaches
to the Island thrown
upon the Ferry
d Company.
CONGRESS RESPECTFULLY ASKED TC
CARRY FORWARD THE PLANS OF
GEN. RODNAN

bEfOh toof TO hfu Nun III MS ueiaElouS NC
signs. The meeting in the evening was
looked forward to with interest by all classes
of our citizens, and long before the usual
hour, the wealth and intelligence of our
people began to assemble. The interest to
which we alIude had even extended across
to Davenport, which city was represented
BY several members of her press, intent on
closely noting the course which events might
take.
At o'clock, Vice President Burgower, in
the absence of Messrs. Henry Dart and Ar
chic Shaw, called the meeting to order.
Alter short delay, the special committee
appointed at the last meeting, in regard to
the bridge matter, handed in the following
report: ~
Geatlsmen efthe Board Of Trade:
Your committee appointed 1t the last meeting
TO inquire into the truth Of the report that "a
strong and systematized opposition to the pro-
posed improvement on the Island of Rock Island,
existed in the city," respectfully report that they
have been unable to End any such opposition, and
think that such report grew out of the fact that
I. J. Robinson opposed the building Of the pro-
posed railroad bridge across the main channel of
the Mississippi river, for which he assures
your committee are satisfactory to himself, and
which, we doubt not, he is perfectly willing to
give to this Board.
JR McCALIsrEn,
JIM. BuFoRD,
JosEpH RosENFIELD,
]. g. DEyoE.
Dr. Truesdale moved that the report be
received and committee discharged. Car,
ried.
DR.. Plammer moved that Capt. Robinson
be called upon to make an explanation Of
his views referred to in the report. Carried.
Capt. Robinson took the floor. He had
not expected to be called upon to say any
thing, of course, and was not prepared. He
was not in the habit of public speaking, and
found it difficult, in so doing, TO End Ian,
guage to properly express his ideas. Still!
he was thankful for the privilege of righting
himself before the public. There we're two
sides to every question: variance of op;n-
ion on every subject. He respected man
who would boldly avow an opinion, even Il
it was an unpopular one, more than he did
press it, or who was moulded in accordance
with the ideas of the man with whom he had
last conrersed. He believed that the building
ofthe proposed railroad and free wagon bridge
across the Mississippi at this point, would
prove detrimental to the best interests o.
Rock Island and the surrounding section
He had not originated this idea. There were
many of our prominent citizens who believ
| ed as he did, but when the storm burst upor
them, had Stunned its fury. He was honest
in his expressions in regard to this bridg;
matter. He had always spoken of Gen
Rodman in the most commendatory manner
In fact, he was SO led away by the affection
| ate nature of his feelings, that he pronounced
quite an eulogy on the character of that dis
tinguished military and scientific gentleman
His gushing feelings did not prevent his be
| lieving, however, that Gen. Rodman was
| liable to errors ofjudgement. The propose,
bridge was grand improvement but a
selfinterest is the controlling motive of th'
human mind, we should not be too careless
as to probable results. If we consider tn
location of the Island, and the trade tribut
airy to these points, we must finally adop
his opinion on the subject. Davenport is
larger town than Rock Island. 1t control
4 q greater trade, and offers more inducement
| for the same than this city can. Trade vii
seek the largest center as water will seek it
| natural level. If we could visit New Yorl
1 st the same expense that we can visit CHI
cago, we would always deal with New York
What is true in one comparison is true al
the way through, and in all others. Ho,
are we situated? Davenport is fourishin
city, filled with enterprising business mer
; 4 aud backed by rich and inexhaustibl
agricultural region. Suppose the bridge
built on the plan now proposed. What
disastrous result such a course will have O.
the commerce of Rock Island. Will no
our merchants be robbed Of their bushes
to the enrichment of Davenport? Hayip
, thus endeavored to excite few petty fear
on the part of our trades people, the er
, tirely disinterested gentleman proceede
+ to state his honest convictions" in regar
to the result of relocating the bridge.
The railroad, according to the preser
plan, would strike the Illinois shore sbos
SINNERS saw mill, and be connected wit
} Rock Island by aspecies of panhandle rout
. rendering our city mere way station. 81
, had also been confidently assured, b
, competent railroad men, that this arrang
3 ment would render affairs most uncomfort
: bic to train employees, and would be flu.
. equal to an addition of forty miles to Il
main road. He even had his fears tn,
> trains would not visit Rock Island at all,
J such q case. The money to be expende
upon the island, per year, had been estim
,, ted at about quarter of million. ii
wards of . thousand hands viii be employs
Under present circumstances, their trad
! will naturally come to this city. If the FRI
! bridge is built, it will oil go TO Davenpor
as that city viii be the nearest and mo
convenient point. In the goodness of b
soul, the captain would be grieved to q