The evening Argus., 1868-05-12
GREAT BRIDGE MEETING AT THE BUR
IT'S OPERA HOUSE, DAVENPORT.

In accordance with q call lssueo ySese | ,
day morning the business men OF Daven-
port assembled almost en- mdsse, at the
Burtis Opera House, in that city, on Monday
evening, to consider the recent efforts put
forth by the unserupulous ferry monopoly,
to defeat the free wagon and railroad
bridge bill now pending at Washington, and
to adopt the most advisable measures to
counteract the evil influence already crea-
ted. The short notice, aud the unfayorable
state of the weather, it was feared, would
prevent large attendance, and doubtless
very great many remained away on that ac-
count, but as it was not "solid man" of
that enterprising city was absent from the
imposing phalanx of wealth and ability,
which greeted the eye of the visitor, in the
capacious hall of the Opera House. A
large number Of the citizens OF Rock
Island had made arrangements to be pres
ent. but the threatening state of the weather
deferred them AS it was, very respecta- |
bic number went over. The meeting was |
organized by calling Mr.. Michaal Donahue, !
unanimous voice of the assembly, the fol.
lowing widely known gentlemen were ap-
pointed Vice Presidents: Robert Lowry,
G. H. French, II. R. Claussen, j. J. Bur
| tbs, l.. C. Dessaint, J. P. Sabolt, and NJ
| Kelly. Messrs. D. n. Richards on, F. III.
Innpey and F. Vollmer were appointed sec
retaries. Messrs Charles Osborn, Hibberd
| Moore, and j. B. Danforth ,Jr., were invited to
seats on the speakers stand, as representa-
| tives of Rock Island.
Mr.. J. S. Drake moved that committee
of FIVE be appointed to draft resolutions ex'
pressive of the sense Of the meeting. The
| chair appointed Messrs T. J. Lane, W. c.
Wadsworth, ]. S. Drake, James Thoring-
ton, and Gen. Sanders. The committee
retired, when Hon. Robert Lowry moved
that Mr.. Danforth be invited to address the
meeting. The motion was adopted with ap-
plause.
Mr. Danforth briefly returned thanks for
the invitation. The subject before the
meeting was one in which all were vitslly in
terested. That Gen. Rodman's comprehen-
sive plans should be FASTENED forward was
| the earnest desire of every well wisher OF
this section. He regretted to confess that
the opposition which occasionsd necessity
for the meeting, had its origin in Rock
Island. To the utter astonishment of the
/, good citizens of that place, developments
RI had recently been made, which demanded
the immediate and earnest action of the
f people of this whole region, on either side
! of the river. Actuated by selfish and peeu
, MARY motives, certain parties had been Sc
cretly laboring to Illustrate the grand designs
; laid out for the improvement of the Island o
J. Rock Island and vicinity. A few men hat
arrayed their petty interests against tn
. good of the whole public, and SO far, with
y almost fatal success. Our community ha'
t been astounded at their temerity, and eoult
5 scarcely believe that the vast and useful pro
iects lately under process of commencement
k by the government, had been discontinued
8 by such insignificant Vaccinations. 1t wa
j. Q startling fact, however, that the bridg
ut bill so promptly passed by the House o
" Representatives at Washington, had bee
E. almost defeated in the Senate, by treacher
te and misrepresentation. The ferry monopol
had secretly gained the ear of cur nations
n Legislators, and almost to the ruin of Il
/, prospects which we had been led to SUI
of pose to be certainties. Our senators wei
a. now merely awaiting q voice from the pc
st pie OF this region. The speaker did
of suppose, however, that it was necessary
e, give detailed reasons why instant actio
H. was necessary on the part of the citizens
Davenport. Their dearest interests were I
ty stake, and they doubtless fully comprehen
* ed the situation. He then gave some inte
esting facts in regard to the Island. Sin
of the earliest settlement Of the western cou
e, try, that beautiful spot had been held 6
ID cred by all military authorities. Its ce
e- tral location, isolated position, great natur
as beauty, and the convenience of its acces
lis had ever rendered it an idol with the WI
in Department, and had long perpetuated Il
ID pet idea that there would, some day, be Z
er great store house of the military supplies
nd the nation, and the grand center OF all o
he arsenals and armories. lie case OF W
nd with foreign powers, it could never
OK reached, while the ease with which it cor
be protected from mob violence was too
9 +? parent to be alluded to. 1t once afforded
40 location for old Fl. Armstrong, the Fl
to protector of our pioneers, and had be
la rendered historic by having been the hoI
ce of Scott, Taylor, and other heroes who
ol- names will never be forgotten. The spes
3D. er also stated the curious fact that wh
tie jefferson Davis was Secretary OF War,
An- der President Pierce's administration.
u.s. was strenuous in his belief that the COVE
srk ment should never part with q foot of 10
ere on this beautiful retreat, bat retain it for
$ the purposes now in view. In his opin
md it was jewel worthy of preservation 9
AK the greatest care. The 6rst efforts made
10. secure the location Of arsenals there, was
MS the people of Rock Island, afterwards ais