The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-05-27
Settled on Murdoek's Basis.

The assessment for city taxes made by
PhilIeo,in 1871, is believed to be legal as
sessment, and the assessment subsequently
made 1.-THE same year, is believed to be lie
gal Very many of our citizens paid their
taxes on the last assessment, and a very
large number refused to pay because, as
they claimed, the assessment was Illegal
Among those who did not pay We notice
the names of Alvin Hull, Thomas Plum
mer, A. X. Philleo, Ben. Harper, Holmes
Hakes, S. s. Guyer,. II. L. Mitchell, c.
Lynde, Jr., p. Gregg, B. Davenport, H.
p. Hull, G. W. Peasants, f. p Reynolds,
the Rock Island Bridge Co.; the c., r.
l. & p. r. Co, the Union Office, and
a score of others-some on per
sonal property and some on real estate
The Rock Island Bridge Co. offered to set
tie on the Philleo assessment and Murdoch
compromised on that basis, Judgement was
taken in county court against others on the
last or highest assessment. 1t was Muir
dock duty to appeal all such cases. lie
neglected TO direct the city attorney to ap-
peal the case of H. p. Hull and his taxes
are thus lost entirely, He did take an appeal
in the case of the c., r. l. & P. K. X. Co,
B. Harper, B. Davenport, 7. Plummer
Alvin Hull, Holmes Hakes, and Others, and
/ Judgment has lust been rendered against
some of these parties, B. Davenport, the
IC. r. |. 4 p. R. r. Co, and
some others, on the basis agreed on
ly Murdoch with the Bridge Co. Had
the defendants fought the cases they woulc
probably have beaten the city and go
clear entirely, but they were willing to pay
on the legal assessment and on the basis es
tabIi,hed by Murdoch
There is large amount still due on tn
personal property tax Of 1871, from various
persons, including the UHion office, +. P
Reynolds, p Gregg, T. Plummer an,
scores of other, on the last and highest as
sessment. Murdoch was Mayor and Rober
KGhler was collector, but they failed u
collect it, and it is still due
/ Now, Just why the Union should keel
footing its little whistle about Bale.
Davenport when scores of its own part,
friends and much-puffed leaders are in ex
actly the same position will puzzle an.
fellah to find out That pape
abuses Mr.. Davenport for not paying o.
the exorbitant assessment of 1871, and We
1t hasn paid its own taxes. That assess
rnent was an outrageous and exhorbitan
assessment, made for the purpose of legal
izing the water bonds which were issue
without even consulting the people. Tn
assessment was believed by almost ever
body to be illegal, and large numbers re
fused to pay. Murdoch set the preceden
of settling on the basis of the Philleo as
sessment. and vet the Union has not
word Of ceusure for him, or for itself, c
for scores of its friends who have not Y,
settled their own taxes. Its course
looked upon with contempt by every dr
cent man.
Bailey Davenport sits in the Mayor o
fee every day, laboring 70 collect the oI
back taxes neglected by Murdoch and L
boring to save money for the whole Peep
and devoting himself to the interests
the city. He will be happy 10 see Il
/ Union folks and their friends come down
! the office and pay their taxes, The CT
, cult Court has given Judgment against hi
! and he will hand in his check for Il
amount very soon.