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

EDITORS UyIos.-My attention has been called
to article in the Roc. Island ARGUS of las
evening, in relation to the government bridge at
Rock Island, in which am charged with "rep-
resenting that Gen. Rodman squandering
the government money in useless clocks, on ex-
pensive private resider ees, etc."
II zen. Rodman was rs well acquainted with
the source from which the article emanated Us
TINS community generally is, q denial of the
charge would be supererogation But under the
Gil cumstances, l desire TO say that the charge il
false, and that have said on eht in relation
to Gen. Rodman's administration of the Island
but words of commentator. The remaining
portion of the article is mere twaddle, and needs
no reply. TT. RoBrssos.
We are Wiling to give the signer of the
above hearing in our columns, and place
our reputation, on any subject, side by
side with his, any day. We have no fears
OF the result in this or any other commun-
Ity We have proven both him and his part
ner tSpencer) guilty of classifying their
pledged honor. They pledged their honor
TO pay the people of this city $500 year
and the people of the school distric. $500 a
year for permitting them to renew their ferry
charter, in l857-and they have basely and
trescherously falsifed their pledge. We
proved this by the sworn testimony of two
of their own political friends, as follows:
Affidavit Of Alexander Steel.
STATE OF ILLINOIS,
Rock Island County, ST.
Alexander Steel, of the CITY of Rock island in
said County, being first duly sworn, upon his
oath says: he was one of the Aldermen Of said
City, in the month of January A. D. 1887 that
during the session of the Legislature OF said
State, in said year, various parties were anxious
and deslrous to procure from said Legislature a
charter for Ferry across the Mississippi River
at SAID City; that some of the members of the
CITY council of said City were DESTROYS to pro-
cure q Charter for and in favor of said City,
authorizing and empowering it to run ferry
across the mississippi River between said City
and the City of Davenport in Iowa: that. during
said session of the Legislature John w. Snencer'
Thomas j. Robinson and James Grant aiso Do
sired and sought, thereupon, to procure an exten-
sion, in their favor, of the Charter granted to
John Wilson, by the Legislature, in Feb 1857
until the year A. D. 1851; that, during said
month Of January, A. d. 1857, as near as this
sfiant can now recollect, and while said Leeisla
ture was in session, ct . meeting of the members
OF said City Council in said City Of Book Island,
eno a. winch meeting . majority Of the City
Council were present, ae near as this sffiant can
now rscollect, including the Mayor, the said
Ihomas ). Aobinsons pretending and claiming to
represent said John W. Spencer, Thomas j.
Robinson and James Grant, appeared before
ssid nesting and proposed and promised that, if
the City Council Of the City of Rock Island
would not oppose or resist the application of the
said Spencer, Robinson & Grant. to said Leeisla-
ture, for al extension of the said privilege to
them - aforesaid, then and In that case the said
Spencer, Robinson Grant, if SUCCESSFUL in
their said application, would pay, annually, to
said City of Rock Island, during the time of
said extension, the sum of Five Hundred Dollars.
and would also pay. annually. during the like
period, TO the School Fund Of said City, the sum
Of Five Hundred Dollars
Afisnt further says that, to the best of his rec
election, the said Robinson also promised and
agreed that, in case of such extension, as afore-
said then and in that case the said Spencer Rob