The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-02-01
City Council Meeting.


There were present Mayor Reynolds, and
Aldermen Hitler. Lundy, Warnock, Sim
mon, Cameron, Schlemmer, O'Neal and
Koch.
A petition was presented, signed by $50 |
citizens of Rock Island, but whether citi-
zens of Rock Island city or county, was
not stated, praying the council to appoint
day when the people of the city might
vote on the proposition to reorganize the
city under the General Incorporation Act
of 1872
Alderman Schlemmer moved that the
prayer Of the petitioners be granted. Car
ried bp unanimous vote.
Discussion then arose as to the day that
should be named, when it was developed,
and made apparent to the assembled city
fathers, that they must satisfy themselves
of the legality of the petition, in go far as
to make certain that it complied with the
requirements of the statute under which
it was framed.
Moved and seconded that the previous
vote be reconsdered. Adopted, unani-
mously.
City Attorney Blanding was called upon
to make clear to- the assembled council
the exact provisions Of the statute. The
City Attorney explained the provisions of
the General Incorporation Act, among
others, being that the petition should be
sianed by 'oDe-eighth of the legal voters
voting at the last municipal election" The
City Attorney said, 'as to the manner in
which you are to satisfy yourselves that
the petition does contain the requisite num-
Der of signatures of persons who voted at
the last municipal election, ] can say moth
ing; whether you examine the petition as
body, or refer it to a committee for ex-
animation and report, is at your discretion.
You must, acting in conformity with the
law, satisfy yourselves in some way that
the petition complies with all the require
ments of the law in such cases, and you
must be your own judge as to the manner
IN which you will ascertain such fact" In
order TO assure themselves of the validity
OF the petition, that it contained the re-
quisite number of signatures, aud that the
signers had voted at the last municipal
election, a motion vas made that the petit
ton be referred TO the Mayor and the Fl,
nance Committee for examination, and
comparison with the poll books.
The petition was 80 referred, By a uuan-
| imOus vote, with instructions to report on
completion of their labors, and cal! specla
meeting of the board.
A petition from the Coal Valley Min.
| ing Company was presented, 10 regard tC
changing the location of one of the levee lots
for which they offered 20 pay $50 per year
By vote of to the petition was deDie d
Instructions were given the Street & ALE )
Committee TO lease the desired lots to the
Coal Company FOR 800 per year.
The bill of W. H Gest and Ira A. Viii
kinson, 81 900, for legal services, was called
and the vote being a tie. the Mayor gave
the casting vote in favor of the bill.
The resolution instructing the City Clerl
to advertise for proposals for lighting the
city, other than with coal gas, by the us'
Of 134 lamps. was adopted, and the sdyer
tisement ordered printed in the four city
papers until the day for opening the bids
March 4th.
SIS was voted to deFray the expenses at
tendant upon certainS matters ordered b,
the late convention of Mayors.
Adjourned.
The annoyance occasioned by the con
tinual crying of the baby, at one