The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-26
LATE LOCALS.
Meeting of the Canal Com
mittee last night.
Election of Officers of the
Athletic Club.
Court Proceedings,--Th Ru-
ins and other items.
CANAL Committee.

Last evening the members of the Hen
nepin and Rock Island canal committee,
for this city held meeting at the Harper
House. The following members were
present: t. j. Robinson. A. G. Dart,
Mayor Carse, Ben. Harper. w. I'll. Barber,
NJ. G. Mills and A. Steel
Captain Robinson presided, and A. G..
Dart officiated as Secretary.
On motion 5000 was ordered paid to the
treasurer of the executive committee of
the Hennepin project, as the assessment
made on Rock Island.
The committee on subscriptions reported
that they had secured over $500 by private
contributions, and thought that with the
proper effort much larger sum of money
could be raised.
1t was the sense Of the meeting that the
subscription papers should be circulated,
and as much money as possible raised, the
money in excess of the $500 to be used to
defraying the necessary expenses of secur-
ing government building in this city.
of the Hennepin Canal Executive Commit
tee, reported that during his recent trip to
Washington he had found the most en-
couraging signs manifested toward the
Hennepin canal The various cities OF the
northwest had held meetings and passed
memorials, setting forth the importance of
the proposed improvement. The Boards
of Trade of Chicago and other cities had
likewise taken favorable action in the
premises, and he thought the merits of
the scheme would now cause it to be
favorably considered by the members of
the lower house of national congress.
In regard to the public building at this
point he stated that he had conversed with
the postal authorities, at Washington, and
they all favored the appropriation of funds
for building at Rock Island. The special
agent of that department had made visit
here, and his reportwas very encouraging,
as it was founded on statistics which
proved that Rock Island was the second
largest mail distributing point in the state
of Illinois.
He thought that with the proper effort
the bill recently introduced by Gen. Hen
derssn for a public building at Rock Island
could be passed, and favored sending on a
delegation to assist the member of Con
gress from this district, in forcing the bill
through. He was positive that such bin
could be passed in the Senate
MR. HARPER
stated that he had conversed with the
postal agent while the latter was here, and
the agent expressed himself as surprised
at the immense amount of business trans
acted, and the limited facilities furnished
by the present post Office quarters. The
postal agent since his return to Washing
ton had sent on photograph Of build
ing suitable for this city, and had given
other indications that he considered the
matter in favorable light
INFORMAL TALK.
The members INDUCED in considerable
talk as to the best plan to be
adopted to place the matter before the
members of congress. Some thought that
a monster petition from this locality would
have great weight with congress, but
others denied the value of such proceed
ings, and believed that the only way to
reach the congressman was through del
egation of Rock Island people. The latter
opinion generally prevailed, and it was
decided to secure such delegation of men
at home as well as in Washing
ton. It was decided to invite some of the
eading manufacturers of this city to visit
Washington and interest themselves in the
nstter.
BUSINESS.
On motion, Ben Harper was made
treasurer of the public building committee
Is well as its chairman. A. G.. Dart was
etained as permanent secretary. The
names Of L. s. McCabe md c. Hangsen
we're added to the committee. w. Fl. |
Barber was instructed to circulate the sub !
cription paper, and secure donations
rom the residents of the east part of the
ity.
The meeting then adjourned.
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