The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-05-26

thought the interests Of more than one com
panyy should b. consulted, IS ell we're o
eoual value 10 Rock Island. He was quite
sure that the city might give away all tho
railroad privileges it possessed TO the Rock
ford Road, and was quite sure that they
would be accepted, but doubted that kind O.
{ policy. Mr.. Norris Was opposed to both {
track down Illinois street, and down III,
leyee. lie even found objections to The
route 10 tho Slough
Mayor Buford having entered, was loudly
called for. lie declined to speak, however,
having come there for the purpose OF listen
ing, aud with the object Of ascertaining the
tone of public sentiment IN regard 70 the
pending railroad questions. The city Au.
thorities beng the servants Of the people, il
vas essential that they should know the
views of the public before proceeding to de.
eide such important matters. Loud ap.
plause.
Mr.. Gable was loudly called for. lie
responded aud spoke at some length. In
the course Of his remarks he adversed to the
proposition he had made to abandon his
grounds on the Ieyoe, and relocate his round
house and depots on the Slough He had
always believed that the city made a great
mistake in granting its river front to the
Rock Island & Peoria railroad, and was in
favor q clearing the leyee Of all railroad
tracks, and keeping it clear forever He
considered the Slough south Of the city q
nuisance and injury. II kept people from
settling here. And yet it could be made
highly valuable. He believed it to be the
proper place for Union Passenger depot,
for freight depots, and the grand
center of all the railroads
coming to Rock Island. He did not believe
IN the policy of giving away our levee to
railroads. Should we do so, we would event.
uAlly be compelled to purchase back these
privileges at an enormous cost, Suppose
the city of 81. Louis, sixty years ago, had
given away her eyee al we are now asked
to give away ours. What would be the re-.
suit at this time when her steamboats, re.
qure n mile and half OF leyee on which
70 do their business? What vast sums Of
money would have been required to undo
the short sighted policy Of her early rulers
Rock Island with its tributary towns also
has great future, and it Is our duty to
prepare for il, aud not cripple her progress
by blind legislation He was now willing
to remove his tracks and round house from
the leyee at a nominal price, but the time
would come, if his proposition was not EN-.
would not have the effect in buying him of
that ten thousand would now have. The
Rock Island Peoria road has heretofore
been mere switch 70 q coal yard but it is
soon to be railroad and will require A
passenger depot, a freight depot, round
houses, and other costly property, and where
these are located, they are located for all
time to come. He favored a double track
down Orleans and Canal streets for the use
Of all the roads, and the concentration of
our railroad depots at the slough.
Ia regard to Illinois street MIR. Gable sta
ted that a contract existed between the gov
eminent and the {. Il. |, & 2. Railroad
Company, compelling that company to re
move all distractions to the approach to the
wagon bridge over Sylvan Water, and to
remove its switching grounds to some point
furter east, so as not to interrupt access 10
the Island. lie also stated that Gen. Rod.
man had declared that il the government
had ever anticipated the blocking up Of H.
linois street in the manner now proposed,
the Wagon badge would have been located
somewhere between Noide and Rock Island,
so as to accommodate both places, and be
entirely accessible at all times. Gen. Rod
man regretted any intention on the part Of
our people to allow the approach to the
Island to be obstructed.
DR.. Truesdae followed in reply, the bur,
den of his remarks tending TO show that
double track from the eastern limits of the
city to the slough would have an effect to
cut Rock Island IN two, and ruin all its prin.
c pal thoroughfares.
Judge Drury was loudly called for, and
took the floor. He thought all present were
il favor of the Rockford road, and desired
to get it here There WA - difference of
opluion as to the best way to do this. The
object of the meeting was to talk the matter
over in q friendly way, and come to some
conclusion. If he had any resolution to
offer in regard to the ordinance published in
lst Saturdays ARGUS, it would be to ad.
wise the Council to lay the whole thing on
he table. He did not believe it was policy |
% fence in our city at present. We
must look twenty-five or fifty years a head.
He was in favor of clearing the leyee of
'ailroad tracks entirely, and keepingit clear.
In regard to tho proper route for the Rock
ord road, he thought it could get into our
city in no better, cheaper or more convent. |
mt way, than by running to the slough.
These declarations were greeted with loud
Ipplause). He recalled the energetic efforts
# our people to secure the location Of the
nited States armories at this point. Our
gents csnvassed the entire northwest to
reate a public sentiment in favor Of the
oheme. As city we expended money,
md as private individuals also. He was at
y ashinptou one whole winter laboring for
he object in view. At last we succeeded.
Va tboDrbt rya had secured a grand thing |