The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-03
THE E., z. I. & ST. I. r. r. EX-
cURSIoN,
SAFE ARRIVALsHOME
Expression of Sentiment Favorable to
the new Management.

in The ARGUS concerning the large excur-
sion given to the representative business
men at this point and along the line of
the r., R. I. & ST. L. R. r., by Mr.. Oster
berg, the agent of the German bondhold-
ers,, the recent purchasers of the road, we
add some important items to make The AR
GUS report complete.
| The real business of the excursion com
menced on Wednesday. under the guild
ance of committees of the St. Louis Cham,
Der of Commerce. by the excursionists Wis
iting the National Stock Yards. at East St.
Louis. Returning, formal reception was
given, at the Chamber of Commerce, the
excursionists having previously visited the
new building in process of erection by this
enterprising body, which is to be, when
completed, the finest building of the kind
in the world.
The Hon. George Balm called the meet
ing to order aud said;
1t is my pleasant duty to welcome you to the city
of St uis and to extend the Inequalities of the
| city and the Merchants Exchange. Heretofore the
b.
| been controlled by interests antagonistic TO ST.,
Louis, but now it has passed into the hands of Mr..
Osterberg, who will use his endeavOrs unite the
interests OF the business men on the route of this
road with ST. louis. Let us acknowledge Mr.. O's
| efforts and meet MIN half way.
Response was made by DR.. p. Gregg, of
Rock Island, Judge Murphy of Daven-
port, and Hon. Lyman Trumbul', Of Chi
cago, none of whom seemed to be familiar
enough with the road to give any informa-
ton to the business men of St. Louis con-
corning the road and its advantages, or Of
the purposes of the new management
The excursionists were then shown how
the business men Of St. Louis speculate
at the option board. The balance of the
day was spent in visiting places of interest
about the city, many Of the party de-
voting the day to business, thus inaugu-
rating practical results of the excursion,
which undoubtedly was equally as accept
able to the road and to the business men
of the city That such was the feeling of
the road we infer, from the liberality OF
Mr. Osterberg in extending the passes of
all who desired to remain in the city few
days.
In the evening the party, numbering
over three hundred, assembled in the
spacious rarlors of the Southern, and
where magnificent set OF solid silver, con-
sistiug of pitcher, goblets and salver, were
presented to Mr.. Osterberg The silver
set was purchased by the excursionists
and in their behalf presented by DIR. P
Dregg. In presenting the gift, Dr. Gregg
said
Mr., Osteberg: To me is assigned the pleasant
duty OF presenting to you III small token of the
esteem in which you are held by the people of the
quadrilitera cities of Davenport, Rock Island, Mo-
liue and Milan, and the residents aioTg the line o
the road. You have severed thu Gordian kno
which has so long bound up the Rockford, RUcI
Island St. Louis railroad and vindicated the
OF right and justice. That You and the road which
you represent may be prosperous is the ardent wsl
Of your friends composing this excursion party
Measure not this little token by golden value or
size, but by the motives of the donors. In thi
= alone the value lies.
Mr.. Osterberg was surprised, but showed
e himself equal to the occasion, in the fol
a lowing reply, which was pronounced tn,
: most practical and appropriate of an.
= thing that had this far been said:
'Mr. chairman and gentlemen: Yo1
have turned this excursion into a surpris
party. Allow me to express to you NJ,
! sincerest thanks for this token of good vii
n toward me as the purchaser of of th
Rockf nc, Rock Island & ST. Louis railroad
- when | took the liberty of invitin
l. you to this excursion over the road to 81
er Louis had two objects in view My nc
;s tons about the building and managing c
a railroad differ widely from those of mos
of the railroad managers in this country
se | think that railroads are or should b
l. built for the people and not that the A
10 mighty has created us for the benefit {
the railroads. The success of railroads dc
ponds more or less on the good will of tn
[, people, while, at the same time the pro-
to perity of the people is greatly derive
a through railroads. Good will and harmon
rshould therefore always exist between
railroad manager and its patrons.
In order to have the pleasure of max
ing the personal acquaintance of my pa
III | have invited you, and [ am very muc
b. pleased with the result, and l assure 80
~ that as long as L have to manage this roa
10 or have the control Of its future this roa
- will only he managed as Peoples Road
n, The second object in view was to Great
is more intimate relations between the bus
z ness men on our line and the merchant
Of ST. Louis. The kind reception and CO
e. dial greeting rendered to us by the Boar
to of Trade of St Louis Tor which | wish
ir express my thanks on this occasion) al
r. proofs to me that this object has been a
cOmplished and hope and trust that
" will prove beneficial to ct, Louis-'The Ne
is York of the West'-beneicial to each an
id every one of you, and beneficial to til
road.
Mr., D, N. Richardson, of the Davenpo
Democrat, then collared j. Meredil
as Davies and with a few characteristic r
10 marks about that gentleman's success
ID conducting the work of the excursion, ar
st his business tact and energy, presente
NC him with handsome gold watch. Aft
he Mr.. Davies reply Mr. Richardson mat
en- few remarks on the practical results
40 the excursion The evening was spent
et the excursionists in looking at St, Lou
TO by gas light and in meeting business q
IL quaintances.
oH THE RETURN,
lat of the party, at o'clock Thursday NOR
"a ing was only continuation of the pie
sures already enjoyed. Committees q
companied the party to the depot al
r. promptly on time the train pulled out.
he Beardstown halt was made for dim,
rs where the party organized for business