The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-06-18
Rock Island Citizens Gener-
ally Opposed to it.
Mass Meeting Last Night
and its Action.
Resolutions Passed and Adj
dresses given.

was called to express the Sentlment OF
Rock Island as regards a toll upon the
bridge between this city and Davenport.
The meeting was well attended and was
composed of representative citizens, all
the leading industries of the burg being
represented
THE MEETING
was called to order by Mr.. j. r. johnson,
who read the call published in the ARGUS.
Mayor Carse was called to the chair and
delivered brief speech expressing the
hope that the meeting would declare itself
in no uncertain terms as to the feeling of
the city on the question.
Messrs. B. ID. Buford anu Phil Mitchell
were elected as secretaries.
MAJOR coNNELIY
then addressed the meeting He stated
that the newspapers kept the people in
formed of what was going on. The
meeting had been called to protest
against toll bridge. AS a private citizen he
wasnot interested in the question of a
toll bridge but as a citizen of Rock Island
he and all others were interested in keep
ing all avenues of trade open. Kellogg
(who introduced the billy was friend of
Capt Robinson; he denied that he had in
PRODUCED the bill but facts showed that he
had done it. A paid lobbyist had charge
of the bill and If nothing was done the bill
would certainly pass. Evidence showed
that the Ferry Company was back of the
bill and it would pay the company to
spend fifty thousand dollars to pass the BILL
The speaker then introduced the following
resolutions:
WHEREAS, the great bridge spanning
the Mississippi river between Davenport,
Iowa, and Rock Island, Moline and Milan
in Illinois, has been since it's completion
free and open to public use, with some few
restrictions:
AND WHEREAS a bill is now pending in
congress, prepared and introduced as we
understand, at the solicitation of the Rock
Island Ferry company, a. corporation
which has grown wealthy by the contr1bu-
tions of the people of this locality: there
fore be it
ResotUed, That we the people in mass
meeting assembled, protest most earnestly
levying toll npon persons passing over
said bridge.
ResoI0ed, That tax thus sought to be
enforced on the hundreds of laboring men,
working and doing business on either side
of the river after having settled them
selves in their homes and in the belief that
the bridge would forever remain free and
open to the public, would be cruel and I'm
just, thus taking from their families por-
ton of their hard earned wages.
Res0Sced, That the true reason given to
the secretary of war, Mr.. Lincoln, by those
who control the Ferry company, to justify
them in their rapacious demands, that ITS
business has been nearly ruined" is a reason
having no foundation IN fact; that in pro-
portion to the money invested, there is no
business in this locality which for thirty
years has paid, and is now paying so
handsome dividends.
M Res0IDed, That we most earnestly appeal
to the son of the immortal Lincoln (who |
in his lifetime never suffered the rights of |
the masses to be throttled and trampled |
upon, but always endeavored to preserve |
those rights to use his power and place in
our behalf, and stay the influence that is |
seeking to do us injury.
ReSOLUed, That we ask with emphasis |
and in most earnest tones, Senators Davis |
and Logan, and Representatives Hender-
son and Marsh. to guard well our inter-
ests in this matter, and protect us against
the willy movements OF this moneied cor
poration; that without their aid and the
aid of all other honest senators and repre-
sentatives, we are powerless and can do
nothing by way of resistance to the in
fluence which is being organized to work
us injury.
MIR. GEsT
then spoke in substance as follows: He
read the toll bridge bill Every citizen of
the town knew that the bridge had
been free and was acquainted with its his