The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-03
Dailplj Argus.
Tuesday Evening, August 8, 1859.
tbs ROCKFORD, ROCK ISLAND AND ST.
LOUIS RAILROAD.

W, -. lnOmaS, OF laiOVN
some developments as to the ofsan'~a'o'
and resources of the Rockford, Rock Island
.rd @ Loui, Railroad Company, which to
:. ,r0ro astounding. The road being m en-
terprise in the management of which every |
o;,;zeo Of Rock Island was interested, and |
LEARNING that the character Of the writer
of the article was such as to give credit to
its statements, we transferred it to our eol- |
umns, expressing the hope At the time sha'
some one connected with the road wouId
NEE. and refute the charges. A lew Gays
afterward DR.. Truesdae, of this city pup
lished in the Union reply to Mr. thomas
letter As the exclusive readers OF the |
Union could know nothing about the ques |
ton at ISSUE (that paper never having pub.
Ished the article under review,) without the
solicitation or request Of anybody we re-
published DR.. Truesdale's letter in the
ARGUS. This we did for the purpose Of
throwing all the light on the subject posi-
bic, no matter how little or from what
source.
The Board of Trade met on Friday even
ing and passed soma resolutions on the sub
iect, which were published in our Saturdays
issue. Mr. Thomas, on Monday, sought
publication in the Union for another article,
which was refused, and it now appears in
the ARGUS.
The ARGUS, in this whole controversy,
has freely published whatever has been said |
on either side of the question. 1t belongs
TO no ring, is seeking nobody's favor and
only the public good, and cares nothing for
what narrow contracted, prejudice.blinded
people, whether belonging to one railroad or
another, may think Of its course. 1t is
friendly to ell railroads in so far as their
managers pursue wise, liberal and just
policy toward the public in SO far as they
DO not, it is opposed to all; and no hope OF
present or future reward in the way Of
patronage, or fear Of present or future in
dignity on the part Of anybody, shall IN the
slightest degree turn it one way or the other
from the even tenor Of its way. 1t has
heretofore in silence allowed others to speai
through its columns, for the simple reason
that it knew nothing of the facts, the asser
ton of which on the one side and the denial
of which on the other, make up the contro.
versy. 1t is compelled to admit that it is
largely in the dark yet; for very few facts
have been established, though bold asser.
tons, mixed with some denuncistion, have
not been wanting on either side. But the
present state Of the controversy invites q
friendly word to both parties to it.
The question in which this community is
most interested is the construction Of the
road, and we suppose this interest does not
attach to the individuals who may be in
charge Of the enterprise. What we want is
the road, for itself, and not because Mr.. A.,
b. or G. is connected with it or opposed to
it. We have voted q subscription OF $50,
600 stock to it. Every taxpayer is there
fore interested in the proper management q
the affairs of the road, and is ID il
the controversy now in progress. We hopes
that the publication frat made by Mr.
Thomas would be followed up immedatel
by one from some officer of the road, and
his statements either explained or denied
Instead Of this, however, DR.. Truesdale
who stated he was not connected with the
management of the road, made a publica'
ton which failed to meet and satisfy the
public expectation. We regret this in com
mon with the public, and yet hope for a
clear, concise statement from some Of the
officers of the road. 1t is due to the road
and to the public that it should be made
unless Mr.. Thomas is o worthless character
aud totally unworthy Of credit. If he is
that should be shown at least
Now, as to Mr.. Thomas and those whom
he introduces as witnesses to sustain him
publishing his RGiiaCay ReuietC article thu
he was a highly respectable and reliab
man. Yet he and those whom he intr
duces as witnesses admi: that they were
one time connected with the enterprise
that they have been stockholders and di
rectors, and yet assert that the road never
had dollar of capital stock, and that they
were sham subscribers of stock and making a
paper railroad for the purpose of getting
another railroad corporation and other indi
viduals ensnared in the enterprise. We dc
NJ H., - a.
gentlemen in making this expose, tor it i
not our habit to sssa mems motives wheI
any other course is left open; but the publ
mind will be ready to receive an explant
ton of their conduct in subscribing an
holding certificates Of stock in, or acting a
directors OF, railroad in which they haC
never paid dollar Of capital and confessed
for the purpose Of influencing some limo
cent party to subscribe aud pay up stock il
what they knew and now declare to be
confidence game. The certificate of tn
clerk Of Henry county to the fact that Their
is no record of convevances to the conpan
OF coal lands, Of itself amounts to nothing
for there IS no law making record Of deed
necessary to their validity, and the compan
may have them Notwithstanding the state
the records; and if other parties have accep
ed mortgages, as stated, on these lands, t
secure bonds purchased of the company,
is certainly no business Of others to con
plain Of this confidence in the company, q
the lnyslidty Of its title to lands While