The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-17
Rock Island and Davenport Bridge.

Letter from the Secretary of War, in re-
lation to the bill (H. r. 966, relating to
the use by the public of the bridges and
roads connecting the cities of Davenport
and Rock Island.
January %, lS74.-Referred to the |
Committee on Military Affairs and ordered
to be printed.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Jan. I7,1S74.
The Secretary of War has the honor to
return to the House of Representatives,
for the consideration of the Committee on
Military Affairs, House bill No. 900, rela-
tive to the use by the public of the bridges
and road connecting the cities of Daven-
port and Rock Island, with substitute for
the same, which, in the event of its becom-
ing law, will enable the War Department
to control the use Of the bridges, and Sc
cure their care and preservation in the in
terest Of the United States, while allowing
the freest transit to the public consistent
with safety, and their use by the Govern
ment in connection with Rock Island ar
senal. WIN. w. BELKNAP.
Secretary of War.
In the House of Representatives, JAN 5.
1s74-Read twice, referred to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs, and ordered to be
printed.
Mr. Cotton, on leave, introduced the fol-
lowing bill
A bill in relation to the use by the public
of the wagon bridges and road connecting
the cities of Davenport and Rock Island.
BE 1T enacted By the Senate and House OF
Representatives of the United Stdtes OF
america IN Congress assembled, That the
wagon bridge which connects the island OF
Rock Island with the city Of Davenport, IN
the State of Iowa, the wagon-bridge which
connects said island with the city OF Rock
Island, in the State of Illinois, and the
road connecting said bridges, shall be open
and free for the general use OF the public
for the purpose of transit under such re-
strictions and regulations as the Secretary
of War NAV prescribe for the preservation
of said bridges, and to prevent their OBJ
struction by bulky loads or wide vehicles,
and for the maintenance of good order on
said bridges and road or for the public
safety and convenience. Any person who
NAV violate any of said restrictions or reg
ulations may be, by such regulations, pro-
hibited the use of said bridges and road.
SUBSTITUTE.
A bill in relation to the use by the pub
| lie of the wagon bridges and road connect
ing the cities of Davenport and Rock ISL
and
Be 1t enacted By the Senate and House o.
Representatives of the United States o.
41nericd IN Congress assembled, That the
wagon bridge which connects the island OF
Rock Island with the city of Davenport in
the State of Iowa, the wagon bridge which
connects said island with the city of Rock
Island, in the State of Illinois, and the
road connecting said bridges, shall be open
and free for the general use of the public
for the purposes of transit, under such re-
strictions and regulations as the Secretary
of War may pr escribe for promoting pub
lic safety and convenience, and maintain
ina good order IN the ase thereof, and 10,
bridoes by bulky loads, wide vehicles dr0Ue'
i of animals, professions OF men or Uehactes
or other cause or causes aChdteUer, prece-
dence an the use Of the SAID bridges ana
road being al,odys reserued to the tnated
States. Any person who may violate any
of said restrictions or regulations may be
by such regulations, prohibited the use o!
said bridges and road.
REMARKS BY THE ARGUS.
We have placed that portion of the bill
proposed by the Secretary of War as {
substitute for Mr. Cotton's bill, which diff
fers from Mr.. Cotton bill, in italics, tina
our readers may the more readily compare
the two. We see no objection 10 the sub
stitute proposed by the Secretary Of Wa
and hope Mr.. Cotton will adopt it in plac,
of his own. All the people ask is that th'
bridges and road shall remain open anC
free at all hours of day or night, under such
reasonable rules and regulations as ma.
be necessary for the preservation of The
public property,-and they are willing tt
trust the Secretary of War to make sucl
reasonable rules and regulations as ma