The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-02-17
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This is large amount. It's Nasthess can
not be comprehended at Hglance or thought
One thousand men, lAboring at the rate of
two dollars per diem, and saving half their
gross earnings, could not accumulate it in
much less than three years. Halfthe labor.
ing population Of Rock Island might pass
lifetime in toll, and then not succeed in SC.
curing it by combining their earnings.
Should an eastern capitalist visit Rock
Island, proposing to invest one million dol.
lars in property, not by purchasing that all
ready in existence, but by erecting more,and
should he be discouraged and driven from
; his project by the selfish opposition Of a few
interested parties, public indignation would
know no bounds. Those who had taken
part in battling his purpose, would meet with
nothing but anger and reproach on every
hand. Even the man who did not condemn
the suicidal interference would find himself
deserted and despised by his friends and
associates.
And yet our city has Just been wrouged
10 as great ar extent, but merely in DIFF
ferent manner. Certain representatives in
congress proposed to invest 81 100000 Of
national funds in our immediate vicinity
not in our corporate limits-not in such
locality as would add that amount to our
wealth subject to taXation-butin such close
proximity that every foot of ground, and
every piece Of real estate in Rock Island,
would have experienced an immediate and
important advancement in value. A clique
Of cormorauts, who have fattened for years
upon the spells Of a great monopoly fearing
that their petty interests may be ondange
step in aud actually rob this city Of $1,000,
900. 1t is oil right and proper that the
United States should waste $lOOOOO,OO0 in
digging q canal across the Isthmus of Dari
en-, thousand miles away, outside our ter
ritorial limits, and liable to seizure by any
foreign power in time Of war, but this disin.
terested Spencor.Robinsou family could not
bear the idea Of seeing 81 900, 600 disbursed
right here at home. They conspired, they |
misrepresented, they purchased, and they !
defeated The republican party of Rock
Island is equally responsible. Robinson
owns it He and his clique control and
manage it. The radical paper Of this county
is also implicated in the conspiracy. 1t has !
preserved the strctest silence while our
greatest interests were being oyerrdden.-
Uawey, our congressman elect, has been
bought, terrified or humbugged into support.
ing the designs Of Robinson, The wishes of
the people and the advantages Of this section
have been criminally misreprcseuted. And
the time is now at hand for al. honest Cit.
zens to rebuke such heinous corruption.
The friends of the Island Improvements
may make one more effort to secure the nee.
essary appropriations. It's therefore vitality
essential that our city government should be
in the hands Of men who viii actively favo.
and support the movement. Every citizen
who earnestly desires the speedy progress of
our city, aud the carrying out OF the vast
aud mprehensive plans Of Gen. Rodman,
should vote the straight democratic ticket
at the impending election, and thereby aid
in banishing from power the very worst
enemies Rock Island now has in existence.