The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-11-17
spencer 4 Robinson stu Fighting tn. People.

4 spencer Robinson stu Fighting the People
Most people wonder why it is that Juds
Spencer permits himself totbe dragged in
to q constant warfare with the people o
this city by T. j. Robinson. People o
ordinary business sagacity would naturally
prefer the friendship to the enmity OF the
people, and would SO demeani themselves
liz business relations with the people as tc
secure their good will and not'their enmi
ty. But ever since Spencer q Robinson
went back on that clause in their charter
of ls49 providing for a charter for the
city after its expiration, and then went
back on their promise to pay $500 veal
to the city treasury, they have been ir
continual warfare. And Judge Spencer
has been greatly injured in reputation By
permitting Robinson to use the ferry com.
pany as means of gratifying his personal
spite. The Eagle street landing was frs,
built at the desire of Robinson, and, for q
time, pcaceably and willingly occupied by
him. In the spring of 1872, in order to
spite coal dealer who had leased two lots
adjoining Washington street, Robinson
moved his dock and ferry up to Washing
ton street. without permission, and kept il
there that season, thus depriving the party
alluded to of the use of the lots for which
he had paid some 800 or $500 to the city.
MIR. Murdoch, then mayor, asked the city
attorneys opinion on the question, and
that officer gave it immediately,in writing
showing the absolute right of the city to
dictate the landing place. Mr.. Murdoch
delayed acting. and during the summer got
Judge Wilkinson's opinion-which was
precisely like that Of the city attorney pre-
yiously given. Then he gave out that he
should movecthe boat The ferry company
still resisted and got out an injunction,
On the hearing the court decided in favor
Of the city. AT last Mayor Davenport lin
Office when the decision was reached) coax
ed the ferry folks to conform to the law.
And this summer the city. though under
no sort of obligation to do so, expended
some money on the landing, and is repaid
for it by another fuss with the ferry folks,
who persist in disobeying the orders Of the
people. Mayor Gait made short work OF
their resistance.
But there is still chance for Spencer
g. Robinson to fight the people, and
to day they had Connolly and McNeal, and
Sweeney T. Jackson in court to resist the
payment of fine. They demanded u
jury, and were all day at the business OF
getting one. Towards the close of the day
the justice (Pinkley) denied the city attor-
ney the same right Of Directing to jurymen
that he granted to the ferry company,
whereupon City Attorney Gest refused to
practice before such court and walked out
in disgust. I'VE Will give the details Of the
ruling of the justice to morrow
An ARGUS reporter called at the JUS
tees Office just before going to press and
asked that functionary what was done with
the suit. The j. p replied its busted"
The reporter asked if that was the proper
term to use in that matter. The j. p.
said yes, that's right--its busted. -
The reporter then asked if that
vas the entry on his docket, and he
| enter on the docket; Dis
missed at the citys cost The reporter
eft.
This leaves the case in condition to be
appealed within 20 days. which we pre-
'ume will be done, The only thing that
would bar an appeal in this case would be
confession of judgment. The City Attor-
icy simply refused to practice before
ourt that ruled so unfairly as Pinkley had |
lone. And then he left the court in dis
rust, as he ought to have done. The case
will probably 60 to a court where fair rul-
ng can be had