The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-02-18
BOARD or TRADE MEET.
IN0.
Railroad Matters.

day evening, together with representative
men from Moline, Andalusia, Muscatine, and
other points,to listen to remarks from Judge
Green, of Beardstown, President Of the
Rockford, Rock Island 4 ST. Louis roilroad,
in regard to the prospects and requirements
of the enterprise with which he is connected,
as far as this immediate section is concern
ed. After few preliminary formalites, the
| Judge was introduced, and spoke 1T consid'
cradle length. Space prevents our giving
complete outline, but wa condense the fol.
lowing substance and spirit of his address.
He came to ascertain to what extent our
citizens aud those Of Moline, are willing to
aid in the construction Of the Rockford,
Rock Island 4 st. Louis railroad. The
company he represents is new one and
bss already encountered many obstacles
from the influence exerted by other roads to
cripple its progress. Among those most in.
terested, and most active in it7 opposiAon,is
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. Not
standing these untoward events and efforts,
the Judge was highly gra,ifed with the re.
suits already achieved, and stated that il
was the intention Of the company to lay 100
or 80 miles Of iron in very short time,
and ultimately to stretch from Monmouth to
Macomb, and by way Of Bsardstown to st.
Louis To effect this latter Immediately, 1t
is necessary that the cities Of Rock Island,
Moline and Davenport should raise Sl2j,.
900 subscription in bonds This section is
greatly ia need Of southern outlet which
can be made available throughout the year.
The new road will afford it. To secure it,
ready action is desirable. One hundred and
thirteen miles Of grading have already been
completed, and the proper degree Of public
spirit will bring the road to this point in
very reasonable space Of time. The speak,
err adverted to the great resources Of Rock
Island for manufacturing purposes, and
| dwelt on the necessity Of obtaining cheap
| connections in order 20 make the most of
our natural advantages. HIS proposed route
will place US twenty miles nearer Chicago
in fact and owing to its peculiarly favorable
grades, forty miles nearer in point Of time,
besides causing general reduction offreight
and passenger tariffs. lie further believes
that if we should actually give away the
money we should subscribe, We would save
it in Il year on ireehts alone
Early in July ffty miles Of iron will be
laid 70 Beardstown, and from there the road
will be pushed through as fast as money and
t men will do it. Tho feeling between tn,
E new company and the Western Union is al
/. that could be desired, and friendly coopera
. ton will be extended to the latter in every
z effort to reach Rock leland. The Judg,
J., was satisfied that his road could be built 4
r this city within the next six months, in spit
n of the elements, and should the spring prov
" a mild and favorable one, and the grade nc
be oycrdowed, the work could be easily q,
complained in four months. 1t will be net
essary to construct an additional bridg
across Rock River. 1t was thought TIT
m $I2j,OOO would be sufficient to bring II
road to this city.
In regard to the manner in which TIA
is Rockford, Rock Island & st. Louis and tn
y, Western Union roads shall come to this city
~ the speaker was content to settle the matte
r. by arbitration, each company to appoint on
person to n committee, and these two to sc
lect third, and then arrive at an agreement
lie apprehended no trouble in this respect
e however. They had had no settlement wit
n, the Northwestern line, but as 1t was depend
a. cut on the Rockford Rock Island 4 ST. LOU
pr road for coal and as that road was dependeT
z, on the Northwestern for direct Chcag
Is communication, their mutual interests woul
q" dictate ii friendly policy to each, and no il
q terruptiou of connections need be feared
D The experience of the company had been
a that in purchasing the right of way through
' towns, they had generally been compelled t.
1t pay five or ak times its value. II would bC
n insisted, therefore, TINT every town shouIC
II furnish the right Of way through its limits
il including depot grounds and leveo privileges
is and take its pay in stock. If Rock Islam
d. and Moline will furnish the right of va
II. through their limits the company will Pre-
- cure that above them. After showing tn
Is lucrative character Of local patronage to
he railroad, and the desire to interest locaIite
he in the success Of this enterprise by seCurn
~ ~. town and county subscriptions, the Judg
nd proceeded to illustrate the profits which hi
of company expect to reap from the transpol
r ta,iou Of coal from tho Henry county fields
Is 1t had already entered into a contract t
-, furnish the Western Union company wit
We three hundred tons day. and expected som
day, to furnish coal to the Northwestern
We road and all its numerous connections. --
Il Their competition in the coal trade woul,
further cheaper this article in the Rock Is
land market.
lie The company WAS now ready to hear from
our citizens. 1t did not ask dollar unit
its road was graded and tied to this city
did not ask the one hundred feet usual
Al allowed for right Of way, between Port BY
L. ron Junction and this city, but only suthcien
n width to enable 1t to do its grading and keel
{ the track in repair. 1t was willing to TAX
track service of the Western Union, or Civ
!. it, whichever would bring the most raPi,
3 progress. [Col. Turner of the Western Tn