The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-28

There think that's satisfactory, and |
hope I've done some of you folkses a good
turn.
| see by your paper that Col. Macomb
claims to have written several times to the
Department In regard to the matter. 1t so,
he must have done it since wrote you, as
then there certainly was only one report (
from him on file and that favorable to
Spencer & Robinson. LIE NARD.
Here was positive promise, personally
secured from the Secretary by our Wash
ington correspondent, before Hawley claims
to have done anything. And the bridge
was opened before Hawley did anything, or
claims now to have done anything
THE BRIDGE OPENED.
From the Daily Argus, Nov. 20, 1872.
A rumor was rife upon the streets this
afternoon that the Rock Island bridge had
been thrown open to the public and no
passes required. We Immediately dis
patched messenger to Col Flagler to as
certain the facts. and he replied that he
had issued an order to the effect that all
persons and teams Except those used tor
the purpose of traffic, such as loaded teams,
&C., would be allowed to cross the Island
and bridge between this city and Daven-
port, at all hours during the day. until
eight o'clock in the evening, without pass
eS. The following Is a copy OF that order:
Rock ISLAND ARSENAL, ILLINOIS,
| November %, 1872.
To the Editors of the Daily Argus, Rock IslandIli
| Will you be kind enough to notify the pub
| lie, through your paper, that while the ferry AS
closed and until the river can be crossed safely
1 the no n mr. Island
is open for free use from daylight TILL p M except
| Brv't It. Col. Commanding.
And the next day the Secretary tele-
graphed as follows
New YORK, Nov. 81, 1872 Col. J n Maeomb.-
You can throw open Rock Island Bridge to the pub
| lie during the ice embargo. W W BELKNAP,
Sec of War.
In less than two weeks from this time
the Secretary of War got clear of his ferry
incubus, and ordered clerk to telegraph
to Col Macomb as follows;
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, Col j n Macomb, Rock ISL
and, nl.-The Secretary of War directs tbat the
der opening the RockIsand bridge to travel De con-
inued in force without reference to the ice embar
| 90. JNo PARKE.
Thus it will be seen that the Secretary
kept his promise, made to THE ARGUS
correspondent ON the Both of October
promise made before Hawley claims to
have done anything at ALL
HAwLEY WAKES UP.
The last of November 1872, nearly a
month after we had, through our CORES
pondent, secured and published the
promise of the Secretary of War to
open the bridge, and after Col. Flag
Ter had opened it, temporarily, Mr..
Hawley began to hear mutterings of
discomfort from the people at his appar-
ent connivance with the ferry company,
and he suddenly conceived the idea of
making record that he could refer to ON
the subject. He. therefore, on ithe Goth,
of November, telegraphed something to
the Secretary-what it ~ls, he never let
the public know. But, as he was leaving
for Washington, lie furnished the Union
with the following as a copy OF telegram
afterwards sent by him, viz Z:
Rock ISLAND, Nov 23, 1s72,-Hon W Belknap,
Secretary of Warmly telegram of the 10Th seems 10
have been misunderstood. To be or any service to
the public it is necessary thai both bridges and the
| roadway across the island be thrown open to the
public viii you please issue an order TO that eff
feet: JOHN HAwLEY.
HE SPOKE TOO LATE.
The answer to this despatch showed that
Hawley's effort amounted to nothing.
Here it is:
WASHINGTON, Nov. 81. 1S52-John Hawley
of Rock island-Orders were issued by Secretary
| Beknap, Nov u. to throw open the bridge. while
| II
In other words: Your sudden yea
comes too late-we have already done it,
HAwLEY' S PREPosTERoUs CLAIMS.
Now look again at what Hawley claims
He now writes to Steel as follows:
II is IL eI-known fact that when the bridge ant
roadway were completed ii was at my request they
were both thrown open TO the public, even befor
gineers to the Ordnance Department.
We say there is not particle of evi
l dence to prove any such thing. On tn
contrary the evidence is that, from publ
meetings, letters, etc, and the personal eft
forts of the Washington correspondent Of
THE ARGUS, the Secretary opened tn,
bridge
How does Mr. Hawley attempt to prove
his statement ? He writes to Steel
send you herewith a letter of the Chief Cler
| of the War Department on behalf of the Secretar
| of War dated Dec, 3, 1872, and one from the Chic
Clerk of Ordnance of the same date. both addresse
to me and showing clearly that ii was upon my sug
| gestion that the temporary order of November opt
ming the bridge to the public was made permanent
There isn't particle of evidence to shoy
that he ever made any such suggestion
Look at the letters he sends to Steel Her
is one of them
WAR DEPARTMENT. Washington D. C Decembe
2 3, 1872, Hon. John B. Hawley House of RepreseI
tatives. Sir:-The Secretary of War has directe
me 10 state to you that Colonels Flagler and Nj
comb have been notified that the bridges and roa(
way across Rock Island are to be kept open witt
out reference to the ice embargo, under the follow
ing restrictions: Except for live stock, hay. stra
} and such wide loads cannot pass the ne
bridge, and every accommodation that will not preil
dice the public interests to be given night and da,
Very respectfully your obedent servat
CROSBY, Chief Clerk.
What does this show? aWhy that Hav
ley was told that sthe thing had aIread
been done.
What else 8Hawley puts in anothe
letter as follows
ORDNANCE OFFICE WAR DEPARTMENT, W ASKING
ToG d. c. Dec. 3.1S72.-Hon John b. Hawey, Hous
ferring to the interview which you and had wit
the Hon Secretary Of War. in reference to the Roc
Island bridge, the following telegram has been SCI
7 to Capt flagler, commanding Rock Island Arsena
Telegram received. The Secretary of War al
} proves your action and directs that the road an
bridge to Rock Island be kept open to travel eXceI
7 for live stock, hay straw. and such wide loads
can not pass on the new bridge; without referent
to ice bloCkadPs every accommodation that Will M