The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-25
FREE BRIDGE AND MILITARY PRISON
Opinions of,,The Press.

THE ARGUS has often expressed the
opinion that it was the duty Of Congress to
provide by law for keeping the bridges and
road open to the public across the Island
and the Mississippi at this point, under
such proper regulations and restrictions as
might be made by the Secretary of War
for the safety of the public property.
THE ARGUS has also frequently express
ed its decided opinion that the bluffs at
Black Hawk Watch Tower, IN the south
ern part of this township overlooking the
Rock and the Mississippi rivers, was the
proper place for the military prison.
1t is not necessary to repeat the reasons
we have heretofore given for these opin-
ions, but We append the opinions of the
other newspapers in this locality, as fol
lows:
From the Rock Island Daily Union.
eve believe Mr.. Cottons bill meets the
wishes of every person, on both sides of the
river outside of the ferry interest. The
bridge question ought to be settled once
for all If the people of this entire sec
ton have no right to cross the river with
out paying tribute to Capt. Robinson, even
with an extensively constructed bridge at
hand, the sooner they know it the better.
Although the improperly of locating
the prison on the Island is generally con
| ceded, there is probably not a man in the
city who DIES not desire TO see it built on
some eligible point on the line of bluffs
south of the city, in accordance with the
| language of the original bill,
And there are many reasons why the
prison should be built here.
First, this is a central point, convenient
! of access from all quarters, and is admitted
to be one of the healthiest localities in the
country.
Second, eligible ground can be secured
at a low price, on the Rock river bluffs, with
abundance of water, groves of native tim
Der and excellent drainage and sewerage
Third, material and labor for the
erection of the buildings, and such supplies
of food and clothing as may be needed fol
the inmates from time to time, can be had
here as cheap as at any point in the west
Fourth, the presence of force OF
troops on the Island, within a few miles
of the prison, who could be promptly sum
prison, would aid in securing discipline
among the prisoners and be a constant
menace against any outbreak.
Fifth, if the prisoners are put to WORK
the products of their labor will here have
good home market as well as convenient
lines of transportation to all parts of tht
country.
These are but a few Of the advantage,
to the government In locating the national
prison at Rock Island.
From thu Davenport Daily Gazette.
There can be no doubt about the senti
ment of the people on the bridge question
The desire is that the bridge shall remain
open to the public, as it is now. This wa
the understanding when the bridge wa
built, and the general use that has beel
made of it shows how important it is to al
the people on both sides of the river |
has facilitated intercourse between tn
three cities in measure most advantageou
to'the interests of all, and there can be N
object in closing it except to crafty tn
Ferry company.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Cotton, G
this district, which provides that tn
bridges between Rock Island and DaveU
port and the road on the Island connect
ing the same, shall be open and free fo
the general use of the public for the pun
pose of transit, under such instruction
and regulations as the Secretary of wa
shall prescribe" seems to be precisel
what is wanted, and ought to be passe
into law. There should be no interior
ence with the present use of the bridge
From the Davenport Daily Democrat
Ninety nine hundredths of the peopl
hereabouts want.the bridge to be.kept fret
None other than the Ferry interests ar
opposed to it.