The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-03-15
THE NEW COUNCIL.


came officially together for the FIRST time last
evening. and the new Mayor and the sue
cessors of the four retiring Aldermen were
indicted into their respective Offices. We
publish the official proceedings of the old
and new Council in another portion of the
paper, and We have only space for short
comments on the same. On retiring, Mayor
Buford received the compliment of the re
spect and thanks of the Council of 1869,
embodied in a motion of Alderman Eggles
ton. Mr.. Buford, as a young man, as
one who has grown up in this city
from childhood, has, during his term,
advanced the interests Of Rock Island to a
very great extent He has expended the
public money judiciously, but with no mig
gard hand where it was needed and where
it can be seen, and appreciated by all. de
has been actuated by a spirit OF economy ~
all proper retrenchment, but has been hoe'"'
in public We think we ooh none
of his predecessors injustice by saying that
Rock leland has never see" oeeteer mayor
than Jas. NJ. Buford. His successor, Mr.
Porter Skinner, in his speech last evening
advocated some long needed improve
ments, and declared that he should, during
his term of Office, devote every effort to the
advancement of the interests of Rock Island
abroad and our internal improvement as a
city. He said that more sidewalks must be
built; that the present wretched apologies
for such must be torn up and replaced by
new and durable ones, that public prove
ments in all of those things which tend to
the promotion of our comfort at home, and
our reputation abroad must be attended to.
he was not an advocate of small parsimony
but believed in necessary improvements aud
the encouragement of manufactures, and OF
railroads and everything that tended to
make live western city, and the largest
manufacturing point of the West He had
travelled over a great portion of the country
and he found that the name and reputation
of Rock Island had reached nearly every
where he went. The name of Rock Island
as iuOIc tuhu tHdt vi ou
other town in this part of Illinois. We
should strive to make the city worthy of the
reputation 1t had attained by improving its
appearance. The new hotel being built by
Mr.. Harrer would go great ways towards
dong that, aud had become a necessity
New houses would have to be bull
new streets and alleys improved, and
To do all this requires the closest attention
to expenditures, and prevention of wastsge
Every body's bills against the city should be
audited as closely as accounts against q
the sidewalk amend ment to our charter read
by tn clerk, and declared his intentousto
eaforce it. The Mayors speech wa. received
with applause by those present. The new
Council then proceeded to the election o.
municipal officers, Collector, Assessor
Marshal, Treasurer, etc. All chosen are
good and true men, including 1--WE say it in
all modesty) the City Printers. Marshal
Mitsch, on retiring, made q short speech
congratulating the city on the choice of L.
N. Weber for Marshal, and Offering &c
render him all the assistance in his power
in arranging his force, etc. The meeting
was an exceedingly harmonious one. The
minority obtained all due respect, and al
work ed together without the slightest jang
ling. We have great hopes from the unity
of the preseAt Council, tina, all matters OF
in portAnce to the whole city, public i'm
provements, etc, will obtain the hearty CO
operation of all. All of the old city officers
except the Marshal. Collector, Assessor,
Treasurer and Whsrtnssser, were reelected