The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-05-09

him to view these iu10fotiona WIN care
less ave. : It was even now patent that the
people q Moline and the Island did more |
business At Dasepport than in this city.
We muat not bnzd the free bridge, or they |
wilfsl cross tn liver 10 ssade. As matters
now we're, they were compelled to pass
through our city in order to cross over.
"And were compelled to buy their beer here,
in so doing" suggested q profane outsider.
We must prevent this free ingress and
egress, and shut up our town so that people
will have to trade here. After this astute
reasoning, the guerilla stated that he had
been acting in concert with others in this
matter He had once written to Harding
on the subject. That congressanan replied
that ifhe sho ND attempt to fight any Of The
provisions eftAs pending biu tie tohols tAins
,coald be defeated. Having a little basiness
at Philadelphia, the guerrilla was tempted to
go over to the city of magnificent distances.
There he incidentally examined the bridge
resolution now before congress. He was
convinced that it was not the thing. Too
much money had been appropriated for the
building of the bridge. He was haunted by
an appalling fear that our economical cong
gressmen would find this out, and refuse to
complete the building of the arsenals. He
also learned that the government would ex-
tend the Moline dam down Sylvan Water
for the distance of a mile, and build il of
Joliet stone. Also that channel would be
excavated to the depth of three feet, and
with width of one hundred feet, in the
same direction. In this manner some two
millions of money would be wasted. This
extravaganza was too horrible. His loyal
soul would not allow him to sit still and see
the revenues Of this dearly beloved govern
ment be wasted in such royal manner. He
was disinterested in this thing. He was look
ing, not to the good of this little section, but
to that of the whole United States. He
also believed that toe many favors and ben
e6ts had been accorded the Moline Water
| Power Co. He exhibited a marked jealousy
and enmity toward this corporation, and
seemed to greatly fear that it would reap
some benefit by the improvements--that il
might not be made to pay its proper share
Of the expenditures. He also believed too
much money would be expended around
| Moline, and uselessly, too. He thought
| the bridge bill should be amended, that
congressman did net know what we want,
&C., &c.,-the guerrilla seeming to forget
that the government was not building its
arsenals and armories for the express benefit
of Rock Island, or any other place. With
the kind assurance that he had no hard
| feelings against the public for differing with
him, he closed his remarks.
| DR.. Plummer requested the reading OF the
joint resolution now before congress, on
the bridge matter.
! Mr.. Robinson then read it.
| DR.. Truesdale asked him TO state his spe.
cial points against the bill. He replied in
some lengthy remarks, the substance Of
which we're that if the pending bill was
passed, the c. R. !. q P. railroad company
would obtain valuable privileges to the de-
triment Of all other roads which might cen.
ter here. He further Thought that il dis
eliminated IN favor of the said road to such
al extent that no others would wish to come
here, but was entirely unable to furnish any
satisfactory explanation of such ideas. He
took occasion to assail the C. R. !. l. P R
R. in no very honorable manner, and drew
fanciful sketch of the state of affair.
which would certainly follow, if congress
passed the bill, and that road failed to fulfil
its portion of the conditions.
| Charles NJ. Osborn, Esq, then presented
the following resolutions, and moved thei,
adoption, being seconded by DR.. Truesdale
WHEREAS, We have learned with surprise thu
an effort has been made to prevent the necessar!
appropriations passing congress to enable the gov
| ernment to carry out its project of removing tn
railroad bridge across the Mississippi river, be
tween this city and Davenport, and con structInj
| in place thereof railroad and wagon bridg
| combined and,
WHEREAS, That effort has stood in the way o
| procuring the necessary appropriations to enA
| BILE the government to repair the wagon bridge
recently injured by the Zoe, between the IsiaR
OF Rock Island and the citiesof Rock Island m,
1 Moline and, a---.. .--
Il WHEREAS. In the opinion of the citizens of thi
| city and surrounding country, all of said bridge
| are necessary TO The OF the Island Of Rock Is
| land for the purposes of IN arsenal and armsry
! to the unmpeded navigation Of the Mississippi
river, and to the prosperity of the surrounding
| country and,
WHEREAS, Such opposition is entirely confine
to few persons representing the interests Of tn
| Ferry Charter ut this point;
Vow, therefore, in order that our Represents
| tiyes in Congress may be properly informed, :
| the end that they may use their influence to fur
ther such appropriations, it is by the Board 0
Trade of the city of Rock Island,
Resoiped, First, that il is The opinion OF tn
people of this region of country, irrespective o
party, that all Of said bridges should be built
| repaired at the earliest practicable moment An'
to further that result representatives in con
grees requested to all their energies I
cause the proper appropriations to be made q
the present session Of congress, to enable tn
government to carry out its plans for the buildin
of the railroad and wagon bridge across the Mis-
sissippi river, between the cities Of Rock Island
Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa, as well as to re
pair the wagon bridges between the Island {
: Rock Island and the cities of Rock Island sn'
Moline.
! Resolced, Second, that q copy of this preambl
and resolutions, properly certified, be forwarde
to each OF the senators and representatives frsr
the states of Illinois and Iowa. ttE#
s Mr.. Osborn then briefly addressed tn
= Board, rendering the fallacy Of Mr.. Robin
4 sons argument too apparent for any kind Q
: defence. he allowed that gentleman
5 perfect freedom of opinion, but was qui,
: satisfied that his opposition to the bridg