The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-16
THE HORSE RAILWAY.
0'Mara and Beardsley Working in the
Ferry COmpany's Interest at
Springfield.

1t seems that our illustrious citizen,
Mr.. Patrick O'Mara, had purpose in
view when he went to Springfield, other
than looking over the pasture where he
browsed at the states expense. Tie i'm,
maculate Beardsley touched a secret
spring in Chicago, and came back with
his wallet well lined. while Patrick was
assidiously engaged in drawing miniature
sketches of the government bridge. with
street cars blocking the passage way and
interfering with travel The street cars
appeared to be filed with passengers
mostly ladies. from bucolie Moline, each
attended with an urchin carrying a large
carpet>sack, with which to place the
numerous wares that were TO be pur-
chased in Davenport Underneath the
bridge was the river, wide and deep, but
the current was headed the wrong way
On each side are the cities of Davenport
and Rock Island, but as far as the eye
could reach, nowhere could the Rock
Island ferry boat be discovered. This
omission is MASTERPIECE of strategy on the
part of Patrick He saw at once
how essential it was to hide
the ferry boat behind a growth Of bull
PUSHES. 1t was his idea to show the leg
lslators that the street railway would facil-
itate travel between the tive cities, and
that was not desired. 1t would stagnate
the business interests of Rock Island: in
fact the people would all go one way, and
a great many might never return. If they
did return their pockets would be turned
inside out. The ferry boat would make
the explanation rather awkward. If the
legislator was inquisitive he might say
why not stop the ferry if your city does
not want intercourse with Dayenport?"
The whole affair is rather amusing.
Capt. Robinson and his friend Mr.. Jack
son are in Washington attempting to
hoOdwink the congressman, while Lieu
tenants Beardsley and O'Mara are travers.
ing the byways and hedges leading to the
capital of our own fair state. We under>
stand special wire has has been astab-
lished between the two capitals and the
general and his lieutenants are in constant
communication, This is a good thing for
Jim and Pat, for we understand that they
are making things lively at Springfield
and it needs national bank to see them
through. Whatever they accomplish dur
ing their stay, Springfield will be painted
a crimson hue. If Capt. Robinson sue,
ceeds in defeating the horse railway bill
he will probably again undertake to close
the government bridge against the people
so that they will be compelled to patron
ize his ferry boat.
Here is what the Davenport Democrat
said last evening about OMaras mission
at Springfield:
From accounts published in the Chica-
go papers it appears that Patrick O'Mara.
of Rock Island, is in Springfield. He is
circulating a petition among members to
protest to congress against granting the
right Of way to street car company to
cross the government bridge between
Davenport and Rock Island. WHO'S this
0'Mara? He is young attorney who as
democrat served a term as representa-
tive of the 2lst Illinois district. Last
summer he deserted the party, that is he
left it because the party in Rock Island
county did not nominate him for office.
but the party had better material and
used it. O'Mara then went about the
state and delivered few speeches for
Blaine which were evidently effective in
increasing the democratic vote. But
what business has OMara in Sprin. field?
He is sent there by interested parties in
Rock Island to oppose the building of a
street car line, and he is we'll paid for it
beyond any doubt. This is new way
of work, and it was the intention to keep
it quiet but some reporter has given it
away.
The senators and representatives at
Springfield should not allow themselves
to be deceived While not an actual ne
cessity, horse railway across the bridge
would be of incalcuable benefit to the
masses of the people and to travellers gen
orally. Those who are applied to should
ask Major Beardsley whether his name
does not appear in late bill for that very
purpose, and it might be pertinent TO in
9uire how much the ferry company pays
them for their disinterested O. labors.
This underhand and secret work in the
interest of the ferry monopoly and against
the wishes and interests of o Ut citizens,
should not go unrebuked.
SUBURBAN SIFTINGS.