The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-05-08
THE BRIDGE CONSPIRACY.
The Union Marches Over to the
Enemy's Camp.

When the Rock Island Union startled the
public, on Monday morning last, by the as
sertion that an aggrandizing monopoly was
straining every nerve to defeat the bill be-
fore congress, which, if passed, will give q
free wagon and railroad bridge from this
city to Davenport, we were gratified and as
tonished to see it cast away the petty tram
rnels of party, and open the campaign
against these extortioners and m the inter
est of the people of this whole section. We
very much doubted the ability of its man
ayers, however, to withstand the threats and
insinuations Of their masters, and had our
fears that they would soon be whipped back
into their places, and compelled to shield
Robinson Co. from the Indignation of an
outraged public. The gingeriy manner III
which they have treated the matter for sew
eral days, has finally eliminated in direct
opposition to the will Of the people, and
regular conspiracy with the cormorants who
propose to rob this region of the benefit of
hundreds of thousands of dollars. This
morning their flexible sheet speaks of "a
joint persecution of the ferry company"
claims that the Board of Trade has "prosti-
tused ITSELF" that it has joined in SANDER
ing the ferry company" that by so doing it
has 'lost its standing and influence !" that
its "smelling committee" and "fearful out
cry" are unnecessary that it has placed it
self in ridiculous position" and that the
whole alarm is uncalled for, foolish, and
laughable in the extreme. How does this
article compare with the valiant one In Mon
days Union, and what does this sudden
concentrating mean? The truth of the
matter Is, such intense Indignation has pre-
vailed throughout our city during the past
week, and such desire has been evinced to
hold up to public contempt and execration
the traitors who are attempting to build their
fortunes on the losses of their fellow citi.
zens, that Rock Island has grown aim ost
too uncomfortable for Robinson & Co., and
to gather few friends and secure partial
protection, they have determined to make 6
party question of the matter, and rally then
tools and demagogues around them. The
Rock Island Union has been made subserv
lent to their wishes. either by threats, or b,
direct bribery. By its contemplate attach
on the Board of Trade, and venial defense
of the ferry monopolists, it has joined the
crusade against the rights of the people, and
must suffer the legitimate consequences
But that is none of our affair. We protest
against making this party question. Sucl
course is the last resort of Robinson. Fl,
has publicly admitted that he has opposed
the building of the free bridge--that b,
made journey to Washington for that ex
press obiect-that he used his entire influ
ence and that of all his friends to that pur
pose-and has declared his intention to fgh
the matter through to the bitter end. Will
the brazen-faced impudence of strumpet
on Tuesday evening, he appeared before thu
Board of Trade, and insulted its member
by actually attempting defense of his dis
graceful course. But he has found the it'd
of public opinion too strong to be stemmed
he hes learned that while much may be per
mitted on the score of selfinterest, the grea
public has also certain interests worthy o
preservation, and that when these are in
fringed upon for insignificant aims, justice
not persecution" is meted out to the litter
loper. This cannot be made q party ques
ton. Not political or party idea is in
volved in it. The question simply is, vii
we secure the interests of one man, or o