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

and half dozen teams filing hole on
Rock River street.
| The Mayor stated that no work could be
done in the city this spring, and read few
| figures in proof of his statement. Yet in
the face of this statement he acknowledged
that he had ordered the work to be done 10
the I'd ward, complained of by Aid. Gray.
Consistency, thou art jewel. Here is the
virtuous Mayor OF Rock Island opposing the
measure proposed by Aid. " Gods, which he
acknowledges to be public necessity, and
should be attended to, currying favor with
Aid. Riley, democrat, whom he fears, by
ordering work performed in the I'd ward, in
preference to the well known wishes of the
people. But, as e measure of more imme'
date Importance to the city, he would favor
the purchase of ], 700 feet of hose.
Aid. Gray moved that work commence
in all the wards, wherever necessary or
proper.
This motion was intended to ''squeloh'
the measure proposed by Aid. Woods. a
general debate ensued, in which consIders
bic feeling and spite was manifested. Every
member present acknowledged, or pretended
to, that it Was q matter of public interest
that safe and passsble approach
be made to the new bridge. That
fact was plain enough Mind, they &C
knOUIedged that it was q public measure for
| huR afin Sha fiFv1a
several members opposed it. How did
they? By bringing in their petty schemes
of improvement in their wards. The city ia
represented by the members of the Council,
at least, it is so supposed. Yet the system
of representation in our city Council has de-
generated into petty fights for the public
money. The members representing the
people of the upper and lower wards oppose
9 measure that is calculated to benefit all
the wards, simply because, although preten
ding to see the benefits that would accrue to
the city, they allOw their schemes Of ward
AggrAndizement to overbAlance all others,
and regarding the improvement of the
bridge approach as q scheme of the member
, OF the third ward to draw money from the
:, treasury that should improve the dung
heaps of the wards they represent, they
oppose it. Although it's q public improve
3 ment, still it's an individual enterprise, Mr..
e Mare"
t Gentlemen, we would ask you whether you
serve the residents of the mum Der of squares
contained in a ward, or the city? You have
acknowledged that your ward schemes have
o the preference over the interests of the CITY,
aud although you may make notes of $l.67
;. expenditures, you can't deny what we have
said. We would like to know how much
longer you will represent the Interests Of
the city" in this manner
Much to the same point was the remark
of certain person of biblical history about
serving two masters. One is the acknowl
a edged master, the other the forbidden one.
4 You have made your choice. So be it.
o The following gentlemen we're opposed to
the motion of Aid. Gray :-Ald. Koch, Kelly,
Riley, Woods, Boynton, Wagner.
\ Yeas-the mover.
In the course of the debate upon the
above motion, the Mayor took occasion to
deliver himself of small quantity Of
Bunoombe, which would undoubtedly have
caused serious results If he had not dis.
charged it. 1t will be remem bered that at
the first meeting of the present Council, the
Mayors casting vote decided that two more
police be added TO the force, in order that
two hangers.on and wire workers might be
rewarded for their efforts at the city election.
This was the first effort of reform Coun-
oil, the motion of reform Alderman,
decided by reform Mayor. The additional
! salary which the city has to pay for this
reform movement is $l,2C0 per annum.
Bear this in mind. The same men who
. proposed and carried this measure, opposed
the Arsenal street measure. One Of the
grounds of their cause of opposition was
the want of money. Yet they willingly
bestowed upon two of their party pets, 3
sufficient sum to make all the improvements
demanded on Arsenal street, and leave q
surplus for the purchase of hose. This is
truly en- instance of pure disinterestedness
by reason Of which two men
appointed BY the reform Council, debar
the city from making improvements which
this same reform council pronounce neces
sary, because the city cannot touch the
$1,000 in the pockets of the new police.
And in proof of the utter ineficiency of the
police force, increased in numbers though
it be, it 10 marked and undeniable fact
that more cases Of lsw-brsaking. fighting,
stabbing, and robbery, have occurred under