The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-19
MOLINE.

SNPThe Moline Plow Co., expects TO do
a large business in cultivators the coming
season.
BUpDimock, Gould & Co., are shipping
large quantities of tubs and pals. This
firms goods have a standard reputation
everywhere,
BSFJ. a Mcdonald, who is among the
most energetic of Moline's merchants, will
shortly remove from his present stand to
the store being fitted up for him on Second
avenue.
gGS~The Gazette very properly calls at
tention to the partial manner in which
the ordinance for cleaning sidewalks is en-
forced. and urges the marshal to show no
favors This is as it should be. If we
have an ordinance let it be enforced with
out regard to who it hits, otherwise abolish
it altogether. 1t is simply absurd to be
rigid in one case and lenient in others
The law makes no distinction and our
authorities have no legal right to do so.
Either enforce the ordinance fully or else
acknowledge it is dead letter and leave
| it alone. Toadyism is despicable in any
case, and where it involves law, as in this
instance, is utterly unworthy of any public
official.
Fire Protection.
! The city of Moline, although one Of the
largest manufacturing centres in the state,
is almost entirely destitute of means for
| fighting fire, and, Notwithstanding the sub
ject has been repeatedly urged on the
| council, the matter seems to receive little
attention, and, under the rule of procrasti
nation, which governs in this city, nothing
1.
and when the weather will permit there
should be no further delay in the premises
but measures should be at once taken Il
provide water main which will reDde
the manufacturers and citizens reasonably
safe against fire. The vast interests a
stake, among all classes, should awakel
such interest as to force the early consum
imation of this important and really neces
sary public measure. 1t is to be regretted
that the plan proposed by Charles 0
Mason, last year, was not adopted.
anyone will consider the matter carefully
and reflect on the disastrous results tha
would follow IN the event of a serious con
hagration, there would not be much if an
Opposition to the adoption of plan t
afford better fire protection The manu-
, featuring establishments of Moline, em
ploy nearly, if not fully, 1900 men.
: large proportion of whom are men of fam
J lily, and of this number many are payin
tor homes in instalments. Should the
be thrown cut Of employment by some III
expected disaster, great amount OF su
L ferlng would result. and, beside
c the business interests Of Moline, and c
t rhis county, would be seriously crippled
o The merchant would feel it. because l.
customers, principally mechanics, woul
be unable to meet their Obligations, whic
would necessarily make it close work If
the merchant to meet his drafts. tn
= would impair his credit and many failnr,
would result. The farming trade iu sue
an event would naturally go elsewhere al
soon Moline, instead of being among Il
best towns Of its size in the state, wou
:" sink to a secondary positiGn-tor time
= least, and perhaps could not recuperate
II the old standing Think of these fact
! aud ask yourself whether it is not bett
i to make reasonable outlay for a wat
T. main aud thus be prepared to combat t
= fiery elements. The city can afford,
- appears, to buy cemeteries, pay for wi
u mills, inyest in bridges, help to retrive t
~ fortunes of deiunct companies, and
~ certainly should be willing, to appropris
~ a reasonable sum for a substantial a
~ necessary improvement. If this matt
= was put to q test vote there would be
49, overwhelming majority of the people
" it The people pay the taxes, and tn
', wishes should be entitled to some cons
~ Grafton. 1t is to be hoped that the cot
~ Gil will give this matter attention at on