The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-08-22
THE ENGINEERS OFFICE.
An Interview With Major Mackenzie
Nothing Definitely Settled
Yet---SOme RumOrs That
Are Flying Around.

Last evening reporter for the ARGUS
called upon Major Alex Mackenzie in the
U. s.. engineers Office and interviewed
him in regard to his retention as chief of
the engineers corps IN this district of the
river improvement service Whatever
may be said of the major in other ways,
he is very pleasant gentleman to talk
to. Although quite busy when the re-
porter entered he signified willingness
to submit to the reportorial pump.
"Wel, Mr.. Mackenzie, is there any
truth in the rumor that you are to be re-
tanned in charge of the office here?" asked
the scribe.
well, sir, | cannot say as to that, re-
piled Mr.. Mackenzie. Il suppose you
have seen the order which has been pub
lished in all the papers" he continued,
further than that do not know.
Have you seen Capt. Ruffner?"
Yes sir, but not to talk to him about
this matter"
How large is the districtY'
at reaches from St Paul TO the mouth
of the Illinois river a few miles above
st. Louis"
How about this trouble between your
self and Rock Island, MAORI" Queried the
reporter.
We'll, replied Mr.. Mackenzie, they
seemed to imagine some years ago that
it owned the Office, and l differed with
it, have forgotten that little unpleas>
antness and hope the city has"
80 you can't give me anything of a
definite nature?"
No, not at present. l shall, perhaps
be able in day or two Something de-
cisive will soon be determined upon and
will then become public property"
In view Of the present public feeling in
regard to the U. S. engineers office iE
this city it may not be amiss to repeat
some of the circumstances that have con-
spired to originate an i'll feeling toward
Major Mackenzie From common report
from authentic sources it is learned that
Major Mackenzie never entertained a su =
perabundance of affection for this
| locality and determined to remove
the officers under him to ST. Paul.
| In order to do this it is alleged that he, in
an official letter to the secretary of war,
represented the locality as being extreme
ly unhealthy and therefore not desirable
community for himself and subordinates
in which to reside. When this allegation
became known it was promptly check
mated by statistical contradiction which
fully proved it to be grave error, for the
uncontrovertable fact that Rock Island
was among the very healthiest cities in
the United States was clearly established
by mortuary reports for ten years in the
past.
1t is also asserted that Major Macken-
zie neglected his duty to the Rock Island
harbor, although ample funds were at hi:
command to perform the necessary work
and that the harbor has been, and still is
growing worse monthly and is at the
present time sadly obstructed
Il is quite evident that the major has
raised a hornets nest in Rock Island Il
is further alleged that although he failed
TO secure a permanent location of the
office in st. Paul, he has continued tC
keep the majority of his assistants there
under the pretcnse that it is branch
office. The principal or head Office, 10
Gated here, it is claimed, is only an office
in name and not in fact.
In answer to question asking about
the probable date of his departure, the
ma ior said that he could not tell when he
should leave the city. The most of my
work at present" he said, lis in the field
and | may be called away any day either
up or down the river"