The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-12-02

\ bill of w. IL. Lundy for S12.05 fire
department account, was also allowed,
Alderman Schroeder, from The special
committee on electric light, reported the
erection of one lamp on pole near Wag
ner's brewery, according to agreement
with the Electric Light Co. Report re-
ceived.
Alderman Larkin moved that the Lii
cense committee be instructed 10 look
after the enforcement of the saloon ordi>
nance and 10 report the places which are
being kept open after IL o'clock, midnight,
contrary to said ordinance Adopted
unanimously.
Alderman Stcngle stated that he had
been requested by Mr.. Koch, overseer of
the poor, to lay before the council the ex-
pediency of providing work for the able
bodied poor during the winter, as the
means for help are very limited this year
Alderman Larkin moved that the matter
be referred to the Mayor, and Finance and
Street and Alley committees, to see if
money can be raised for that purpose un-
der last years plan, to be paid out Of next
years appropriation. Mayor Mott stated
that he had consulted with the banks on
the subject and reported their willingness
to assist
Alderman Bennett Offered the follow
ing, which, on motion of Alderman Cary,
was referred to the city attorney and or
dinance committe, to report by unanimous
vote:
"WREREAs, The interests of the city
should, with the council, be the first con-
sideratiou. The city is heavily in debt,
which debt must be paid at the earliest
possible day, us it entails burdensome
taxation on our people, and deters manu>
facturers business men and capitalists
from coming here to settle. The reve-
nues of the city must therefore be looked
after 1t is denied by some that we have
a right to tax telegraph, telephone and
electric light poles. Is is true, then, that
these corporations have obtained per
mantent vested right to the use of our
streets? Now, if we cannot tax the poles
we can remove them. They can remain
only by consent of the city authorities.
The privilege they enjoy is valuable
privilege, and while we tax the property
of our citizens, we should also see that
the property Of corporations does not es,
cape IFS share of the burdens of govern
ment. Therefore,
Resolved That hereafte. no
privileges of any sort for the
occupany of any portion of the
sidewalks, streets or alleys be granted to
anyone without proper compensation.
and not to be used or entered upon until
the agreement between the parties shall
be reduced to writing in the form of a
legal contract by which the compensa-
ton shall be named, and an agreement
made by the party or parties asking the
privilege to be responsible for all damages
that may occur to anyone in consequence
of such occupancy or obstruction, and to
remove the obstruction at any time when
the public good may require it after rea>
sonable notice, or that the same may be
removed by the city at the expense of the
owner.
Resolved, That the mayor and city
clerk are hereby directed to take immedi-
ate measures to notify, in writing, all
parties now occupying any portion of the
sidewalks, streets, alleys or public grounds
of the city, with poles, 20 remove the
same unless they enter into written con-
tract with the city, as stated in the fore
going resolution, except in relation to the
public light towers and poles leading to
the same.
Alderman Bennett moved that Judge l.
o. Wilkinson be employed to assist the
city attorney in the pending suit growing
up out of the appeal of DR.. Gregg against
the city regarding the validity of the
city's health ordinances. Carried unani~
nous.
On petition of John Holland, publisher,
six copies of the new city directory were
ordered to be purchased for use.
The clerk read petition of Davis
Bros, to grant them the privilege to erect
and MAINTAIN the necessary poles and