The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-19

c,rv couSot1.-A special meeting OF the
ola, 6. ,bars ia to be held this evening. We
would call their attention to 9 subject which
!. worthy their consideration, and should
rsoeiye something more than consideration
q. their hands, that subject being the APP
prosch to the government wagon bridge.
With the opening of the Harper House, a
new era was also opened for this city.
Travellers, by the hundred have, since that
memorable event, visited this city and
passed Judgment upon the city in all its
bearings. Many of them, tempted by the
alluring prospect of 8 fine drive through
our Central Park" have passed their Sun
days in this city in preference to travelling.
A perfect mania appears TO have taken
possession of every traveller who has stopped
in the city a day, for visit to the Island,
and we venture to say that not one perssn
out of ten in the whole hst of persons that
have stopped in the city, but has visited
and admired our beautiful island, and its
magnificent drives.
But they could not but dsplore the want OF
a decent approach to the bridge from our
streets. and we doubt not that the mean
speot of the neigh borhood of the approach
has tended TO drive away many pleasant
thoughts connected with visits to the Island.
There is no portion of the city that could
impress upon the minds of visitors q more
visible lack of enterprise and improvement
than the neighborhoOd of the approach to
the slough bridge. On Illinois street, rail
road track extends from Madison street to
Arsenal, over which an engine is liable to
dash at any moment, making it not only
| difficult but dangerous for person to drive
spirited horses alongside the track. The
approach by way of Orlssns street is not
attended BY so much risk of life as by way
of Illinois street, but the street itself pre-
sents q repulstive appearance, being In the
worst possible condition, is entirely unim-
proved, and about as nature left it at the
approach Of man.
On Arsenal street, the main approach to
tbs bridge, matters are not much better, but
are rather worse. At the north west corner
of Arsenal and Orleans streets. is what the
Onion calls "a hole" Decidedly "hoe. >
A pit that is half full of dirty, Shiny water
10 which floats the dead carcasses of de
ceased dogs, cats and fowls, and the very
air itself polluted by the eternal stencil arts
ing therefrem.-A disgrace to any cit!
claiming alliance to responsibility and pro
gress, stuck under the very nostrils of a.
who would visit the island, and no step
taken 10 have its offensive odor or appear
snce erRdicAted.
The city authorities at a cost of abou
$500, have purchased enough of the groun'
on the west side Of arsenal street to make
very fair and safe approach TO tbs bridge
that is, if the intentions prevalent at tn
time of the purchase, be carried out. Hsv
ing purchased the ground, the intensio
was to have that "hole" filed up and arsens
street McAdsmized to Orleans, thus oblitel
a;ing an unsightly and odious nuisance, an
securing q safe means of approach. Blu
this has not yet been done. ANY perso
who is Vt all interested in having improv,
ments made where they will not only b
useful, but valuable, can see for himself, tbs
we're that "hole" filed up and Arsenal stree
properly McAdamized, our city would nc
only present fair aspect to the eyes {
strangers, but would be materially bene6r
ted. If the city improve. its property in tbs
ighborhood, it would also be necessar
that Orleans street from Arsenal to Mad
son, be made pAssAble by being McAdan
ICED, for the travel that would (by reaso
of the gauntlet on Illinois street, pass owe
that street. There is nothing before tn
oouRcil that is, as We claim, more worthy O
consideration, or in need of decisive actor
than this project.
1t ia a matter of much comment anon
our citizens, and if those in power voul
take hold OF it, and push it to successful
end, they would not only serve the beat in
terests of the city, but would have III
thanks of those whom they serve. "
trust our remarks will have the effect of 4
, least drawing their attention to the uece
! Sity of action in their meeting tonight, an
hope to zee the project, if brought forwart
meet with unanimous approval.