Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-11-07
ANrMpoRrANr xArrHR.

Several years ago the ARGUS made de-
termined effort to prevent our people giving
away the upper end of Illinois street, and
the whole lesg.h of the lsvee, to the rail-
road companies DESTROYS of entering our
city. For its foresight il received nothing
but abuse aud villi6cation. The Union
was in favor OF any and every thing, for the
sake OF little transient popularity, and
the party Of profuse liberality and eIsravs-
giant donations, carried the day. The up.
per portion of Illinois street was practically
raned as q public thoroughfare; the ap-
proach to the iron Island bridge was cut off
with several railroad tracks, and rendered
exceedingly dangerous and the whole
lsvse was taken possession Of by railroad
companies. 1t 10 now often hazardous to
attempt to reach the ferry boat, and ship
pers experience a hundred difficulties. We
predicted all this when it might have been
prevented, and enjoyed our labor for our
pains. Many who then opposed us, now re-
greet their folly. At that very time, Mr..
Cable made very liberal offer TO the city
to vscsse his track on the levee, and enter
into arrangements with other interested par
ties for the building of union depot back
of the city, in the slough, on made ground,
where ell the roads might concentrated. In
addressing the City Council in . pointed
and effective speech on the the subject, be
distinctly pointed cut ell the evils which
now sfhict Us. His wise suggesriops were
disregarded, and himself accused Of some
covert selfish object. The whole bushes,
has again been brought up before the pub.
I lie anew. by an address before the Cily
4 Council, last evening, from DIR. Hamilton
= President Of the Rock Island and Peori:
' road.
This gentleman sets forth the fact ths
the comp sOy under bis control is seriousl,
hsmpered in the transaction of its business
by the lack OF the necessary track facilities
. He therefore asks permission to pat an al
disional track on Front street from Wash
iugton street eastward to the Chicsgo depo
y grounds, or elsewhere as may be deeme'
best.
e That President Hamilton should desir
y equsl privileges with all the other comps
8, MES. is by no means strange or censursble
he is perfectly justified in making his de
maud. There is no reason why any invid
- ious distinctions should be made. But il j
about time for the incubation Of som
: scheme TO relieve our city of many Of il
Objectionable railroad features. The CON
mAndant Of the Island states thst tbs At
> proach to the iron bridge is now 40 dsHgel
y Gus that it is not improbable that all th
trade Of the Post will be transferred I
Davenport on the compilation of the maj
r. bridge next spring. This business nat,
\ rally belongs to Rock Island, and viii co.
t.nue 20 grow larger aud more importal
every year, aud if We lose it, it will simp
be from our own fault We think our eli
70 zens are getting tired of giving away ev
II rythiug they possess TO railroad compani%
We advocate the adoption Of some fessib
plsn for the location OF g union depot at Il
slough, IS was once proposed by Mr.. Cab
and the restriction of the railroads to b
one track on the lsves, with the stipulAnC
that Il ere is to be no swi;ehirg Of trains .
" 1t. Only in this say caG tie interests
our city De harnonizsd with those Of /.
r enterprising corporations which are doing
re N uch for our bsn-6t. We farther sugRe
Is shst the city council serious consider n
'e matter. as the people have rights ShiC
even they are bound to respect.