The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1872-12-09
Moline City Council in the Role
of Jeremy Diddlers.
STATEMENT OF FACTS By THE PRESIDENT
OF THE BOARD OF TRADE.
THE MOLINE REVIEW GLoRIEs IN THE
SHAME OF ITS CITY COUNCIL.
An Interview, IN which Lurk Suspicious Of
Illegal Actions, New Presidents and
Brilliant Ideas---How to Find
the Infant Council.

sponsibility upon the shoulders of our in
FAINT sister city No people ever strutted
into municipality with prouder step, to
stOop so soon TO the position of cratoling out
of just obligation. The facts are these
Moline promised to pay $3.50 towards the
pamphlet recently issued by the Rock
Island Board of Trade An appropriation
was made for that amount thus acknowl-
edging the claim on the 5th of November
On the 4th of this month, the Presi-
dent of the Board of Trade sent written
order to Moline for the money Her City
Clerk told the messenger that no order for
any such appropriation had been drawn
thus giving him to understand that the ap-
preparation had not been passed, and such
he reported on his return to this city. The
President of the Board of Trade after
wards found, by examination of the pub
lished proceedings of the Moline City
Council, that the appropriation had been
passed, and again sent written order for
the money. But who ever saw a long tailed
rat that couldn't get into small hole and
pull it in after him? There was an inter
rim of forty eight hours, and the august
Solons met, and with due regard TO the
legality of resembling an approved appro-
priation, decided that the good name Of
Moline's business men was not worth $3.50,
and so rescinded their action and this,
too, when these same men were very active
in distributing these books in Cincinnati al
the time of the excursion to that city.
Under these circumstances, Mr. W. W,
Eggleston. President of the Board of
Trade, consulting with other members of
the Board, deems il necessary to publish,
for the information of our City Council
and citizens who have contributed towards
the cost of the pamphlet 5000 in num-
ber) the following
STATEMENT.
on the receipt of the proofs from the printer and
eugraver for the Pamphlet published by the Board
OF Trade Of Rock Island they were submitted %
Judge Gould. OF Moline by Mr. Alex Steel fand
myself, for his approval, be being the committee
appointed by the Moline Board DI trustees TOT luhl
purpose. After careful examination OF them he
corrected errors and said he satifed with the
representation given Moline on the maps and In the
descriptive matter and furthermore said he would
recommend that the Board Of Trustees purchase
one hundred copies OF the pamphlet for distrtbu
tion In addition to the $3.50 Tor cost of the maps
which they had agreed IN their official capacity Il
pay a. their proportion of the cost OF the books
This agreement on the part Of the Trustees wa
made at meeting held in the sothee OF the Wate
Power Co. In the presence of Mr. Alex Steel, Geo
W jerks Al Dart, H. u, Mayo, and myself.
On this promise 1000 copies were printed and th'
Board OF trustees supplied with sample copies b,
Mr.. Gould. Since that time citizens and taxpayer
of Moline have gratuitOusly received and distribu
ted all the books they desired, knowing they wer
/ entitled to the same.
/ In view OF these facts, George W Vintou am
I c. W Lobdcll. members OF the present City Conn
Gil OF Moline, promised me- in the presence of wit
ncs-es that they would have their City Council
pass the appropriation of $3.50, which had bee
promised by the old Board Of Trustees. In III
event of their being unable to have the appFopri'
ton passed. Mr. Nintou agreed to be one OF fOu
to pay the amount, to save the honor Of Moline.
WIN. W. EGsLEsTOs.
Scarcely believing such small action o
the part of the city of Moline, and KNOWN
it 70 be unsanctioned by her best bushes
men, we examined the columns of the r.
Uieso, published in that city, to find the 70
lowing boast Of their own shame:
The City Council has done a most commendab
thing in reeousidering it, motion 90 pay $5D u
Rock Island Board Of Trade, for pamphlet TIL
I gives about a. much information concerning LoudC
a. II does respecting Moline This action howev
IL not warmly greeted by THE ARsCs printing e
tablishment, which sent a written order TO the CT
Clerk for the money.
, For the information of the Recisic. Tn
, ARGUS will say that it is not interested
any action taken by the Moline City COul
: ell, and furthermore, it has sent no wri
; ten order to the City Clerk of Moline, f,
I the simple reason that Moline is not indeb
t ed to THE ARGUS. If such was the case
e would want the obligation in writing, Fl
e fear Alderman Keator would induce Il
+ Council 10 repudiate it.
= To make certain of the facts in regal
D to this matter we sent a reporter to NJ
= line with instructions to learn the tru
| from the records. The following is b
! REPORT.
p | first went to Mr.. Deere's Office al
found Mr.. Charles Deere busily engag,
. in his immense business, and inquired
him where | would be most likely to fiji
, Alderman Vinton. His reply was
e Arkansas" / gently asked him the INC
direct route and bowed myself out.
! next entered the office of the Wet
Scale Co. and inquired where ! would
g apt to find Alderman Lobdell The inf
nation was given by dark and dream
e looking individual in such a pleasant W
ee that ventured few complimentary ]
Il marks on the beauties of the sceneI
D, when he turned about and said Mr.. Hu
n toOn open the door and kick that fell,
I. out ] took look at his feet and car
lie to the conclusion they were pOntOons
n sufficient dimensions to perform the sci
n ice required and ! quietly slid out
Putting few rocks in my pocket, | nc
IT entered bank and found Alderman Ii
Ie dell, whom | informed of my errand. a
was told that the records of the Coun
meetings were in possession of Mr.. Ferl
u son, the City Clerk. / asked where he ke
rs his books well / don't exactly kno
e said the Alderman, 'either at the Pun
70 Factory, at his residence. or in the lit
closet at the engine house This was $
y isfactory, To the Pump Factory ! W,
re and found several present, two of VIII,
As stood at the desk. Some ten mimi
70 elapsed when one turned and, in must
;. tone which came from beautiful 81
I rounding of warm auburn whiskers, i
=, the voice from the burning bush, o.
ss more mildly, said-'Well?"
10 Reporter Ferguson? You ;
the city clerk of this municipality,
Clerk.-Yes
RepOrter-I have just seen Mr. Ii
rs dell, who tells me / can look at the &
e, proved minutes of your council meetil
be Will you permit me to do SO?
~ Cterk-Well, ! don't know, our Ma,
er has right to look at them. The boz
:. are put in my charge, and don't KIN
70 that ] have a right to show them to q
or outsider. What meeting do you wish
IN see2
e. Reporter. Several meetings.
,r- Clerk What is your business and v
N. are your / don't know you.
Reporter Il am reporter, and do
make the request out Of anyidle curiosi
u. but for the information of those whose
terest are affected by your official acti
Of and as such | request of You as city cl
M the privilege of examining that part
a.. your records in which the public are int