The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-20


face of the demand for city improvement is
a startling proof of the inconsistency of the
doihgs and sayings Of republican reformeri.
We advocate the appointment of two more
police, so that henceforth there will be no
need OF ward supervisors, their occupation
will be gone.
Aid. Kelly brought up the doe question
which was relief to the minds of refcrmers,
who we're desperately awaiting change OF
subject.
Aid. Gray announced it the duty Of the
FIRE and water committee to act as IRE war
dens, to exercise watchful care as to dan
gerous chimneys and stove pipes, and moved
that the city Marshal be authorized to act in
conjunction with the FIRE and water commit
tee in discharging the duties of fire wardens,
N lotion that was unanimously agreed to By
the Council
Aid. Gray being fairly started, came off
with flying colors, making motion after mo-
ton, with an eye to business and adjourn
ment. He next moved that a committee of
two, in conjunction with the Mayor and
Chief Engineer, be authorized to take steps
toward purchasing as much hose as was
necessary.
Having disposed of the Arsenal street
matter, and without caring to discuss the
money question, the motion was agreed to,
and Aid. Gray and Riley appointed as that
committee.
The Mayor reported, on call of AID.
Wagner, that no location in the All ward
for the old hand engine had yet been select
ed.
A small piece of property ca Arsenal
street, being necessary to the widening of
the approach, and belonging to q widow
lady who charged an exhorbitant sum for it
excited the ire and execration of virtuous
councilmen, who by way of diversion, ex-
hibited their command over the English
language, but the widow lady survived.
The City Assessor then applied for in
structious. The thoughts and suggestions
of the members were go vague and indefinite
and given in such q low tone of voice tina,
we were unable to get the drift Of them
We suppose, however that the property Of
democrats will be assessed st actual cash
value, and that of republicans at one-third
The Mayor and finance committee were
! m Ivra19
the opening Of Spencer street, and othel
back streets, without expense to The city.
The question as to whether the city had
the power to enforce the existing side wall
ordinance, was argued pro and con, and tht
city attorney was authorized to ascertain tht
legal rights of the city in this matter, and i
it was sscertsined that the ordinance coult
be enforced then it was to be enforced to tn
exte mt of that power.
Here the reform City Council has a fin
chance to enforce their reform schemes. Thei
party organ sneered at the attempt
of the preceding administration t
/ enforce that ordinance it announced the
} the law could be enforced, but that the den
. ocrats could never be made to carry out i,
r provisions. Here is chance to emplo
their machinery. Let thsm commence Wit
Bailey Davenport. Let them enforce th
ordinanee-if they dare.
Reference TO the "offcisl' report wi
; show that the city clerk has presented fc
the inspection of the public, a garbled r,
port. That be has suppressed mention ,
several subjects that the people are interes
ed in. We we're present at the meeting lal
I evening, and intend to be present st a
meetings OF the reform Council in the futur,
I We shall present no CARRIED reports, b
the plain truth, all that a citizen-in I'll
= full sense Of the term-desires to know, a
q companied. by such comments as the sabjet
4 demands. This is the second attempt
the city Clerk to attempt to report the pr
ceedings of the city Council The fri
attempt was by no means clear, bu. the Sc,
ond is not only incomplete but contains u
information of the true action Of the Cou,
-, Gil. With these citations we leave the sui
q ject to the public, and they can choose b
a tween what is uncertain, and what is certsi
, and true.