Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-05-12
THE RAILROAD BRIDGE
MEETING.
TIE People Aroused 10 the I'm.
poraance or 1nnedl0se
Action.

ACeIODs
Resolutions Adopted-A Petition to
be Circulated, and the Mat
ter to be Laid Before
Congress.
In accordance with numsrously signed
call, and Notwithstanding the unfavorabls
westher of last evening, a large number Of
our most influential citizens assembled .,
the Burt!s Opera House, 70 take some ae ion
in reference 10 the new Government bridge.
and to express the sentiment Of the people
~ opposed to the recently discovered oppo-
sition 10 the bridge.
The meeting was called 70 order BY Mr..
John L. Swits, who stated its object, call
cd His Honor, Mayor Donahus, to the chair.
On motion the folio wing vice Presidents
we're called to the stand: Robt Lowery'
Geo. II. French, L. O. Dsssaint, Moses Ksl
Icy, J. b. Stibolt, II. r. Claussen and J. ].
Burtis. DIN. Richardson efths DkxecRAr,
rtoA vVhWOS VI tuO ~" OsM0SFoess ouu
r Il Impey Of the Gazette. were appointed
Secretaries.
Several gentlemen from Rock Island BE-
ing present. Of whom Chas. n. Osborn,
Col. Danforth, Of the Argus. and Mr.. Moore
were invited to take seats upon the Stage.
On motion the Chair appointed the fol-
lowing committee on Resolutions: jas. T.
Lane. chairman, W. @. Wadswerth, J. s.
Drake, Jas. Thorington aud Gen. Add. II
Sanders.
The committee retired, and on motion
Col. Danforth was invited TO address the
meeting. He cited ssms Of the many advan.
tapes TO bs derived from the bridge, and 70.
viewed At length the history Of the Gov
srnmsnt's action in reference 10 The Island
at the Same time giving . sketch Of Con
Rodman's plans in regard to the building,
and improvements. He spoke Of the Island
~ central military post, the influence il
would have, and the benefits that oil thii
surrounding country would derive from
making il such, and in order 10 carry sut
Gen. Rodman's plans il had become nscss-
sasy TO remove the present railroad track
and build another bridge. He was very
emphatic in stating that the people Of Rock
Island were unanimously in faver Of ths
proposed free railroad and wagon bridge
that the sole opposition came from the ferry
company. who were pecuniarily interested
in defeating il, had sufficient influence, by
reason Of msney and friends which they
had used, 10 suspend the action Of the Sen
ate on voting this appropriation necessary
to 70 on with the work.
Mr.. Osborn, OF Rock Island, followed,
briefly reviewing the action Of the Board ol
Trade and citizens sf his place in references
to the bridge and the opposition that had
been made to it.. He felt like sxcusing
Capt. Robinson for his opposition, - it
would probably shut off his supply Of about
t35 900 per year that the people we're pay
ing to cross the river, which they would
not pay II the free bridge Was built. The
temptation TO betray the interests Of The
people who had supported him in the re.
nswal Of his charter, was strong, and NEST
men would fall under il. He was Of the
opinion that the people should 20 express
tho matter 70 their Senators that, II for nc
other than political reasons, they would be
in favor Of the appropriation. The applause
that greeted this remark expressed the
opinion Of the meeting and should have
been heard by all Senators who have 50
/ acted.
The Committee on Resolutions having
come in during his remarks, presented the
following through their Chairman, Jas. 7.
Lane, - he closed
| wssRkAs, We have learned with regret that Q
strenuous effort has been made bv certain interested
parties OF the City Of Rock Island TO delay and pre-
vent Congress from making the appropriations ne
ce.sary for the construction Of the Government rail
road and free wagon and foot bridge the Mis-
pp river between this city and Rock leland and
| WHRRsAs, This opposition, falsely purporiing 10
represent large number OF the citizens of this vi
einty may have tho effect TO divide and divert the
action u the Senators and Representatives Of Iowa
and Illinois; and
wHxsgAs, 1t has been ascertained that this oppo-
stion s supported solely and alone BY those who are
| Interested in the Ferry charter st thi. point; aud
W.sssAs- We firmly beseve that tn, the early con
| interests Of Iowa and Illinois; and
WHxREAs. We deem IL Of vital importance for
the safety OF tho travelling public well for the
yenence of the vast amo Of business present
| and prospective that daily seeks passage of the
river at this point, both BY raj and wagon and fur
ther for the protection and Promotion OF the In
creasing ofthe Upper Mississippi, that the
project Of removing the present railroad bridge and
bridge combined be carried out at the earliest possi-
bic time now. therefore, be IL
Resolved, That we unequivoca''y condemn and
OF ., 10 p1 srs 0PP's. ..,
Congress- from making the appropriations necessary
/ for carrying out the plan Of the Government In
| bridging the Mississippi river nj this point.
| Resoired, That we fully endorse tho resolutions
| passed by the Board Of Trade Of Rock Island In
reference to this matter AID ,ha, approve of the
| emphatic condemnation Of the opposit- n TO the
| Bridge Bill.
tves in Congress be called to the various points sc,
forth in the above preamble; ant that they be re-
quss,sd to their united nnusnce to causc Con
gress during is present sesson. TO make the neces
| sary appropriations TO enable the Government to
mate ite plan Of bridging the river between this
city and the city of Rock Island and be IL furthe.
| Resored That cory of these revolutions and
preamble properly certhad to by the OH OF thiI
meeting, and accompanied BY petition Of the eit
| tene OF iowa ana llnoie OS iOfWAIue0 10 eAcn cl
the Senators and Representatives Of the States Of
lows and lllinoia
| Tour committee would further suggest
that in the event Of the adoption OF these
resolutions, that this meeting do then ap
point two committees, who shall act in con
concert, in securing the petitions, and en-
crossing the preamble and resolutions, and
in forwarding the same 70 Washington al
the earliest possible day, previous to the ad-
journment OF the present session Of Con
gress.
In accordance with the abovs, the fol
lowing committees were appointed:
To prepare the resolutions for transmits
sion TO Congress, and to confer With th'
people Of Rock Island-Jas. 7. Lane, Jas
Thoringtsn and j. 8. Drake.
To secure petitions to Oengress -Meos'
Kelley, L. @. Dsssaint, A. O. Fulton ant
P. B. Harding.
In response 70 call. Mr.. jas. T. Lane thss
addressed the meeting, fully sadsssins thu
rsnarks Of the prsyisus speakers. and spck'
further Of The Importance Of the bridge an'
TIE necessity Of definite and iuesdiats -
tion on the part Of the people and present
ing the subject to Csngrsss. His remark
we're we'll tiosd and received the hearty "a
dnsanw>uA nf thn smaeAin~