The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-12-28
BUSINESS MEMS MEETING.
What Was Said and Done Last Evening.

The regular monthly meeting of the
Business Mems association was held last
evening in the mayors Office. A resolu-
ton was presented by Mr.. A. Dart relative
toerecting booms at the bridge piers to aid
the passage of RATS through the bridge.
The resolution was adopted. Mr. L.
Simon brought up the horse railway
question, and thought il was proper that
it should be discussed by the association.
He thought the project would
be detrimental to the interests Of
Rock Island and as Davenport was
the larger city. 1t would increase the
trade Of that city to the detriment of Rock
Island. Mr.. Steel said that he had not
seen the bill and thought that it had not
been published and made motion which
was adopted, that the secretary of the
association write to Congressman Murphy
for copy OF the bill. Mr. Steel seemed
to think that some secret underhandwork
was going on in relation to its passage
Major H. c. Connolly in reply TO Mr.
Simon, reminded him of the strong oppo-
sition made by an element in Chicago,
thirty years ago in relation to railroads
entering Chicago, which element claimed
that the railroads would ruin the traffic of
Chicago, and which railroads had made
the most remarkable city in the world.
Maj Connolly explained the different pro-
visions of the bill pending in congress, and
said that the secretary of war would have
complete control over it if passed. In
replying to Mr.. Steefs remarks he said he
has some interest in the pending bill He
also said that the ARGUS had published
a complete copy of it, and as for secrecy
there was nothing secret about it. That
the papers had for more than year been
discussing the bill and that the names of
the incorporates of the street railway
company had been published repeatedly,
and those who are interested in the bill
courted investigation, and discussion of
its merits He closed by saying that he
was glad Mr.. Steals motion relative to
sending to Judge Murphy. for copy of
the bill had passed. Mr.. E. H. Guyer coin.
cided with Major Connelly's views of the
subject and strongly advocated the pas
sage of the bill He said it was folly for
the merchants here to assume that the
railway would be injurious to the trade,
and said that those who opposed the bill
would like to see the city fenced in He
thought it was grand project for all
classes in Rock Island and hoped that con-
gress would pass it.
A resolution was offerd by Mr.. W.
H.. Guest asking the city council
to purchase 1900 copies of Mr.. B. F.
TiIlinghast's work of the three cities and
Rock Island arsenal, to be distributed
under the direction of the secretary. Mr..
Gest supported the resolution IN a fine
speech, in which he set forth the merits of
the book and the good it might accom-
plish. Mayor Mott opposed it on the
ground that the city was in debt and had
no money for extra expenses. Mayor
Motifs resolution was adopted.
President Stewart stated that conven-
ton in the interests Of Western Water
Ways would be held in Washington on the
second Tuesday in February. He thought
that it would be well to appoint delegates
to represent the association at the con-
vention Mr. A c. Dart offered motion
which was adopted, authorizing the
president to appoint the requisite number
of delegates at his discretion and to have
the list published when completed for the
information of the public The chairman
appointed as judges for the annual cleo
ton in January, Messrs. II. Hoffmaster,
J. J. Parks and E. H. Guycr A motion
of Mr.. E. H. Guyer was adopted, making
President J. W. Stewart Major H G.
Connolly and ex-Mayor Henry Carse q
committee to confer with Col. D. W.
Flagler with reference to the location OF
the proposed national gun foundery