The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-05-22

A NEw Observation-Disclosures, will be
found new ordinance which will be sub
miited to the City Council at the next meet.
ing, with a view of substituting itfor the one
vetoed. We have carefully examined it.
All the minor objections brought against
the first ordinance are removed in this one ;
the Rodmau Mills, and the establishment
of Weyerhauser q Denckman are protected
from damage, and the rights of our citi-
zens duly respected. We understand that
it will probably meet the appreciation Of the
Rockford Company. The chief and most
otious objection, however, Of the first bill,
still remains-that is, allowing the Rock.
ford Company the privilege Of laying "a
double track down Illinois street This is
its only Objectionable feature, but quite suf
Gcient to consign 1t to defeat. A very general
feeling exists among our citizens that this
thoroughfare should be kept clear of rail
roads. 1t is the best avenue of the city. 1t
contains the most valuable property in the
city Il leads directly up to the government
bridge, one ofthe most costly improvements
| along the whole extent of the Mississippi
River. 1t is the gate way to Rock Island,
and instead Of being barricaded and de.
formed, should be remodelsd and beautifed.
Down Illinois street must come all visitors
from our neighborng cities, all visitors from
distance, large amount Of our trade and
traffic all whose good opinions we
desire to win. To deliberately mar and
ruin it, is the heighth of absurdity. Rail.
roads should be encouraged by all means,
but it is not policy to allow them to dictate
terms to a city which they are compelled to
connect with. We believe in doing Justice
to the Rockford Company, but not in deliv
ering over our city for its accommodation.
We have given it $5O,OOO,we are prepared to
give it valuable privileges, but we don't be.
lieve in giving it everything we possess, or
everything which it may covet or demand.
If it wishes to reach the evee, and must go
there, let it demand some smaller sac
ri6ce than the ruin of our best thorough.
fare, and our only convenient approach
to the bridge and Island. We enter
our most earnest and unqualified protest
against the giving up of Illinois street for
either o double single railroad track.
~, g. Ia
accommodation, and if there should be such |
a blunder perpetrated by the City Council |
as the passage Of the ordinance as it
appears on our first page, we hope the May,
or will again promptly resort to his veto
power. Besides, there is another objection
Of weighty magnitude. We understand
that some weeAs ago the Chicago, Rock
Island and Pacific Railroad Company was
rendered the sum Of twenty five thousand
dollars for the south half Of the two blocks
next east of Madison, fronting on Illinois
street. he price offered would have been
a tempting one under ordinary circumstan.
ces, but the company replied through its
representative, that it entertained the pur-
pose Of erecting on this ground, extending
east from the corner of Madison and Illinois
streets, the uext largest machine shops to be
eAtart on its entire route, at no distant day.
No such grounds can be obtained at Day.
enpor,, there being scarcely room enough
there for depot purposes, consequently the
reParaI for tue whole Iowa division must
be AMI is to be done at Rock Island The
amoun! Of money to be expended in this
glganlg improvement will be very large
10 encourage the railroad company in its
pToJec, SO beneficial to our city, IS our
bounden duty To allow a double
track 80 be laid down along the entire
length Of these projected shops, and thus
debar all access to them by
teams, and almost entirely prevent the
transfer Of material to and from the street,
would be an lrreparable injury. Some of
our santlne opponents may inquire if We
are to .1c.uie railroad company from our ;
township With its investment Of half mil. t
lion dollars, merely to secure the building :
OF these machine shops, however extensive
they msy be We answer that by prudent
Legislation We can do justice to both parties,
and secure the benefits both propose to con.
fer on Us. We hope our councilmen will give q
this suggestion careful consideration. We
see no necessity of repeating tie haste .
which accomplished so little at their last
meeting A little reasonable delay on that
occasion might had seen all these ve1ed
questions settled ere this.
The minor objections having been remov'