The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-08
CAMDEN AND THE WATCH FACTORY.

the Watch Works was broached to the peo-
pie of this vicinity, Mr.. Bsbcock visited
Davenport, Moline. Camden and this city in
turn, with the view of getting subscriptions
for the removal of these works from Ann
Arbor, Mich, to this neighborhood. lie
could do nothing with the citizens OF either
of the above mentioned places, with the ex-
ception of Camden. The business men OF
that place took the matter in hand, started
. su absorption paper, secured q site for the
works, and placed the project on its feet.
AHhonor to Camden foi this. Seeing the
thing started fairly, our more cautious
| citizens, and those of Moline, gradually took
hold and pushed the thing to a completion,
that is, as far as securing subscriptions to
the necessary amount of stock was concern
ed. Bot to Camden belongs the honor, for
if her citizens had not started the work, this
| project would have been lost to US.
At a public meeting held last week for
the election of Directors, adoption of con
s~titution and bylaws, ETC., Mr.. Hskes, of
Camden, introduced q resolution in sccor,
dance with the heading of the subscription
Directors be instructed by the stockholders
to locate the works on sndruff's Island, as
their first duty. This was all right, it was
no more than the Camden folks had q right
to expect for their time and labor, but after
an hour and a half's fight, the resolution
and several others offered as substitutes and
amendments for it, were tabled. This
aroused the righteous ire of the Csmdenites,
who vowed that if they did not have the
works, not a cent of their subscription
could be collected.
The meeting elected the following gentle
men as Directors: Messrs. Trip and
Sutherland, of Ann Arbor; Aiken, Woodin
and White, OF Rock Island; Kestor, of
Moline, and Riggs, of Camden. On Wednes-
day last, these gentlemen visited the various
sites in this vicinity, and spent the whole
day at it, so they cannot be accused of
injustice to Any. After a careful consider
alton of the outlook for business; the
facilities offered, ETC., they decided in favor
OF a location between Rock Island and
Moline, not more than half q mile from the
railroad.
Without Partially, without being bought
or forced into this decision, and without the
slightes: wish or thought of overlooking the
rightful claims Of Camden, this location is
the best that could be found, under the cir.
stances.
The location st Camden was q favorite
one with all the directors. Moline and
Rock Island will in the course of time grow
together, their interests demand this, but
to build up that part ofthe township between
Rock Island and Camden, needs something
more than the occasional building of a house
or two Factories must be built on the
water power of Camden, the power must be
more fully developed, the dummy railway
must he put in operation, and every bod
must put their shoulder to the wheel
Realizing this, the business men of that
place nave done all in their power in
furthersnce of this necessity and have in q
measure succeeded in giving al impetus to
business in that direction. They started this
project with the hope OF building up their
town, and closing up the gap between tina
place and this. But aside from all this
Camden has no money, no capitalists, tina;
is, no very heavy ones, and il in the future,
when the amount now subscribed i.
exhausted, as it must be, the directors fell
that no more money could be raised in thai
place, to keep the works running. Fo,
instance, the Elgin Watch Works started
with a subscription of $50, 600, and after
erecting buildings and running the work.
a while, the proprietors found thst they haC
run through with their allowance, and tbs
works were forced to suspend. The people
Of the vicinity where the works were located
, had already exhausted their funds, anc
could furnish no more, wherewith to keel
T the factory in running order. at this June
ture, Mr.. Clsflin, of Chicago, stepped in enc
offered the necessary amount, and with Mr.
Clatliu's help, and some other of the inlu
ChbioA " NuiShSO, huc ioSiOtN WINK
again started, and since that momentary
halt the Elgin Watch Works has steadily
increased it's influence and work, until nov
it has swelled its capital stock to : ,O00, 600
and has for the last few years declared divi
dends of from 80 to 60 per cent ; but THU
was gained only by outside influence ant
money.
Now suppose the factory was located a
6 Camden, and the sum subscribed was ex.
pended, as it must be before the watches
were put on the market. Now what coulc
the capitalists of Camden do towards rails
ing more funds They might do 30, snC
they might not, but to look at the s~Bbscrip
I ton paper, and see the amount which Cam
D den has already subscribed, it would seen
could do no more.
r On the other hand, the other localit,
mentioned, between Rock Island ant
Moline. is capable of raising any sum ne
r cessary. 1t is settled by some of our heavi
est capitalists, men who but need to pu
their hands to pen and ink and money ii
forthcoming, when necessary.
Now in oil candor of feeling and of ~justic,
to the claims of Camden, the factory shoult
, be located at that place, but looking at tn,
matter in the light in which we have PLACED
it, the locality chosen by b edirecsors, seem
to be the better place, to throw out bette
advantages, to advance more facilities 70
the future advancement ofthe project.
These wherever located, must prove o
material benefit to all three of the rivs
cities. Rivals they should not be, the,
should work together, for the good of all
and not of any single locality. Workinl