The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-25
ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE AND MILL
TARY PRISON.
Large and Enthusiastic
Meeting.
TO BE FORWARDED TO
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
The Entire People Want Congressman cOlton's
Bill Passed.

One of the largest meetings, of repre-
sentative men of this section, that ever as
sembled on so short notice, was held at
the Court House last evening, the oath.
The meeting was called in respose to the
report coming from Washington that it was
necessary for the people to express them
selves, in some way, to secure the pas
sage of Congressman Cotton bill, in rela-
ton to the Rock Island Bridge Mr.. Jacob
Norris was called to the chair, who briefly
stated the object of the meeting; and j. S.
Drake was elected Secretary. The follow
ing committee on resolutions was then ap-
pointed, City Attorney P. T, McElherne,
Alderman VIM. Bell, ex-Mayor VIM. Fig
gleston, VIM. II. Gest and Henry Dart.
Pending the deliberations of this COM
mittee, considerable discussion was had up
on the two subjects referred to the COM
mittee on resolutions, and which are en-
bodied in their report, as given in this con-
nection The principal speakers were I. j.
Robinson, and Alex Steel of this city, and
Hon. G. III. Parker, of Davenport Mr. p.
was positive in asserting that the people
of that city were unqualifedly in favor of
the passage of Cotton's bill, as also in ia
vor of locating the Military Prison at this
point. Mr. Parker also explained the sit
uation at Washington and the effect of an
expression of popular opinion with Con-
gress. Captain Robinson and Mr.. Steel
took no positive stand for the passage of
the bill or the locality of the Prison at
Rock Island. The other speakers were
Maj. w. 2. Butler, Henry Dart, Maj.J NJ.
Beardsley, J. S. Drake, Mr.. Sinnett A. F.
Fleming and others, all of whom spoke
strongly in favor of both propositions, and
unhesitatingly pronounced it the wish Of
the people of this entire section that Con-
gress pass Mr. Cotton's bill and also reject
the bill to remove the Military Prison from
Rock Island. These statements were en-
Enthusiastically endorsed by the meeting.
The committee on resolutions, through
their chairman, made report, which, after
some sharp discussion on the question of
amendments, was finally unanimously
adopted as follows:
THE FREE BRIDGE.
ReSolred, That the following bill, intro
duced into the Congress of the United
States by Hon. A r. Cotton, to-wit
Be il enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
seBfdtjUeS of tie United states Of 4HericG in con
greSS dSSeIabled That the wagon bridge which con
meets 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 con
meeting said bridges shall be open and free for the
general of the public for the purpose of transit
under such restrictions and regulations the Sec
rotary of War may prescribe for the preservation Of
said bridges, and t. prevent their obstruction by
bulky loads or wide vehicles, and for the maintain
anCe of good order said bridges and road, fol-
the public safety and convenience Any person
who may violate any of said restrictions regula
lions may be prohibited the of said bridges
road;
Meets with our hearty approval; that
we fully indorse it in every particular, and
earnestly ask Congress tn pass the same
that from the best information the only OPP
position to this bill comes from less thar
half dozen citizens in this vicinity.
ReSolUed, That it is the sense of the
meeting that the entire community of the
four cities of Rock Island, Davenport, Mo
line and Milan are in favor of this bill.
ResolUed, That Hon. John B Hawley be
respectfully requested to use his influence
for the passage of this bill
ResolUed That members of Congress O
this State are respectfully invited to coop
crate with the friends Of this measure il
procuring the passage of this bill.
Resolved, That committee of citizen:
be appointed to correspond with Hon. JOIN
B. Hawley and report the result of sucf
correspondence to a public meeting to b(
called by the chairman of this meeting.
THE MILITARY PRISON
WHEREAS, by act of Congress, approx
ed March 3, 1873, military prison wa
locate at Rock Island, I'll. and
WHEREAS, on the 18th day of Febru
airy, 1874, a bill was passed by the House
of Representatives changing the location
of said prison from Rock Island to Leav
enwOrth, Kansas and
WHEREAS, the almost universal sent
ment of the people of this vicinity is il
favor Of the location of said prison nea
the city of Rock Island and upon RocI
river as suggested by the committee 0
Congress who visited and examined tina
point and
WHEREAS, Hon. John B. Hawley, NJ
G. from this district, seems to have bee
under false impression as to the sent
ments and wishes of our people upon tina
subject, and under such false impression
to have been instrumental in having sue
location changed, as aforesaid therefor
belt
ReSolued, That we do hereby respect
fully petition Congress not to remov
said prison from this vicinity, and as rea
sons for our petition we submit the fol
lowing
The reason assigned for the propose
removal is that the interests of this prise
would conflict with those of Rock Islam
Arsenal. We believe it to have been tn
intention of Congress to locate this pris
on at or near Rock Island and O
course where it would not injure othe
public works. We are confirmed in TIL
opinion by the language of the report @
the Secretary of War and the action
the commissioners appointed by Congress
. The Secretary of War; many army officer!
, and the commissioners appointed to selet
a site agree that the public reservation g
Rock Island Arsenal would not be suit,
bic place for prison, and the commission
ers have recommended a site several mile
away from it, on the bluffs of Rock Islant
The objections urged to the prison by Col
Benet and Flagler are based upon the ide
: that it is to be built on the Island and ne;
the Arsenal. No reasonable objection ca
be urged against the site selected, which
= in Rock Island township, four miles sout
of the Arsenal, with the city lying between
This lncatinn would have all the renuisit,