Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-11-26
TIE BRIDaE NOT OPENED.
me rsrrx nonnanr Aha.a

Fresh rumors in regard to a free pas
sage across the Mississippi this Tuesday,
morning caused us to send again to Col
Flagler for news There is no change in
affairs; the passage is not open and we
suppose never has been, for the reason
that there has not been day this season
when the ferry has not
been in operation The position
is just this No one is or will be al
lowed to cross to or from Davenport
without pass, while the ferry boat can
run. During the interim between the
stoppage of the ferry and the closing over
of the ice people on foot or with buggies
can cross the Island from sunrise till 8 P.
NJ, without passes But whenever the
ferry boat can run, or whenever people
can cross ON the ice, no one can cross the
Island without a pass AS the interim
between the stoppage of the ferry and the
closing over of the ice is rarely over day
or two, nothing practical or permanent has
been gained in the way of opening the
bridge Captain Robinson and the ferry
company control the situation and de-
clare that the bridge ought not to
be opened to the public and shall
not be. The ferry company may beat
the people in the fight perhaps, but
the people will not rest till they know who
are the parties responsible for excluding
them from the use of the bridge If Capt.
Robinson can induce the Secretary of
War, or the President, or Congress to re-
fuse to allow the people to cross, we shall
know exactly where to place the response
bility.
Mr. Hawley has been singularly silent
and inactive, probably preferring not to
take sides with the people and against
Robinson & Co But on the Goth, at the
urgent solicitation of others he was finally
induced to telegraph to the Secretary OF
War, as follows
Rock ISLAND, Nov 20, IsT7
GEN. W. W. BELRSAP, SEC'Y OF WAR, WASHING
TON, d. C.:-The ice is now heavy in the river
to prevent the running Of the ferry boat and con
sequently prevents communication between this
| city and Davenport. Will you accommodate the
| people by ordering the bridge and roadway be
tween this city and Davenport thrown open to the
Publicy The wants of the community on both
sides Of the river urgently demand il, and | earn
| estly hope you will grant the favor.
(signed] JoHx B HAw1rY.
! To this Mr.. Hawley, next day, received
the following reply,
| Orders were issued by Secretary BeIknsp, Nov
/ 2lst, TO Col. Macomb to throw open the bridge
/ while the river was closed.
| tSigned) II. II CROSBY. Chief Clerk
On the same day Mr.. Hawley tele-
graphed, Col Macomb also sent the follow
ing;
Rock ISLAND, Nov 10
Brig Gen. A. A. Humphreys, Chief Engineer [.
;. Army, Washington. d. C-Owing to running
throw open Rock Island Bridge public during ice
embargo. }. y MAcoMB
Col. Eng'r u s A
And at 4:55 P NJ the next day Col. NJ.
received the following answer
New YORK, Nov. 81.
Col. J. \. Macomb.-You can throw open Rock
Island Bridge TO the public during the ice EN-.
barge. VIM W BELkHAr
Secretary OF War
1t will thus be seen that neither Mr..
Hawley or Col Macomb ask for anything
except in a particular case, which case
does not exist, viz the ferry boat is not
stopped and on that idea both his and
Hawley's kilograms were based.
These kilograms did not open the
bridge even partially, and Mr.. Hawley
( tried again. as follows:
/ Rock ISLAND, Nov. a. lS72
Hon. ". W Beiknap, Secretary of War, Washing
{ ton. d c.
! My telegram of the aoth seems to have been mis-
. Is necessary that both bridges and the roadway
across the Island be thrown open to the public
| VIII you please issue an order to that effectf
! JOHN B. HAwLKY.
Yesterday THE 25thl Mr. Hawley re-
ceived an answer as follows.
WASHINGTON Nov 25
Hon. John B. Hawley. Rock Island. III:
/ The Secretary has to-day directed that both
| bridges and roadway over Rock Island be thrown
/ open for the accommodation of the public during
J the continuance OF the ice blockade, under such
regulations a. the ordnance department may pro
vide. H. T CROSBY Chief CLERK
And yet it is not thrown open, and nc
one can go over without pass, and those
who have passes cannot be allowed to take
over box, bag, or trunk. The ferry in
terest rules the roOst, at present.