The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-07-03
FOR WAR WORN HEROES.
A Home for Soldiers and Sailors to be
Erected by the State---Rock ISL
and's Advantages as Site
for Such Location.

The passage OF the bill for the erection
of soldiers and sailors home in Illinois,
shows that it is not the intention of
the people of the state, that her heroes
shall be compelled tog to the poor house
when old age overtakes them, and they
have not place in which to lay their
head. The bill received the support OF
democrats and republicans alike, and 1t is
credit to the state. 1t provides that not
less than forty nor more than 800 acres OF
land shall be purchased on which to con-
struct The building. The governor is to
appoint seven commissioners without pay,
To select the site of the home. When this
is done the governor is to appoint three
trustees, who shall be body polite and
shall supervise the construction of the
building, receiving specifications, adver-
Using for bids. and the like. The truss
tees are invested with the usual powers
in regard to the admission, maintenance,
and discharge of inmates. After the
building is completed the Legislature will
have to make the usual appropriation for
its running expenses. There is already
some discussion as TO who the commits.
sioners and trustees will be. The loca-
ton of the site is also subject of interest,
and it would be well for Rock Island to
put forth every effort TO secure the loca-
ton here.
There is little doubt but that one of the
commissioners will be chosen from Rock
Island, and in view of such probability, an
informal meeting of representative citi-
zens was held at the Office of the Missis-
sippi Valley Manufacturers Insurance
company yesterday, for the purpose Of
agreeing upon some qualified person to
be recommended TO Governor Oglesby
for the appointment of commissioner. w.
B. Ferguson was made chairman, and
]. F. Robinson acted as secretary. A
committe composed of Messrs. J. NJ. Blu
ford, T. J. Robinson and J. w. Stewart
was appointed to draft suitable petition
to the end above mentioned. This COM
mittee Immediately drew up petition
but left blank space for the name
of the commissioner, and i
was Immediately signed by all present
today a number of other signatures have
been added. A committee of five CON
sisting of Messrs. Ben Harper, Johr
Peetz, c. H. Stoddard, Oliver Olsen anC
B. Davenport was also appointed to lool
after sites, and the cost of ground an'
other matters tending towards furnishing
the commission with definite proposal
when the proper time arrives.
President Ferguson, of the Rock ISLAM
Business Mems association, has called
meeting of that body to be held in the cit
council rooms at o'clock this afternoon
when all public spirited citizens will
present. At this meeting candidate t
be recommended to the governor for CON
missioner will be agreed upon, and oth2
steps taken looking to the securing Of th
institution in Rock Island.
| And the Grand Army boys" who ar
always willing to lend hand in any pull
| lie enterprise, have decided to take in
mediate action in the matter, for Con
mander Bowman has called a meeting {
Buford post at s o'clock this evening
when the recommendation of the citizen
committee will be endorsed A delegi
ton from the post will be present at Il
citizens meeting this afternoon, in ordt
that candidate suitable to the old 50
diers as well as to the citizens general
may be chosen. Thus candidate will
agreed upon, for whose appointment 8
the citizens of Rock Island, irrespecti'
of party or society, may work in ha
mony.
Hon. II. G. Cleveland arrived hon
e from Springfield this morning, and to
ARGUS reporter said he believed if Il
proper course is pursued by the citize
of Rock Island, the location of the hor
for this city will be secured without
doubt. Mr.. Cleveland said he had spok,
to Governor Oglesby about the appoin
ment of member of the commission fro
Rock Island, and the governor remark
that he would be ready to give the matt
his attention in about week, as his til
was occupied at present in signi
bills and other legislative doc
ments Mr. Cleveland feels confde
that Rock Island will have I
new institution if the city wants it.
The movement in this regard has the
fore been none too soon, and if the cit
desire for having the home located here
properly expressed, we will have it viii
out doubt. The city possesses peculi
advantages for the home-excellent wal
supply, abundance of coal, the best r
and river communications that could
desired, besides the natural advantages
the country around about us. Let
work be left undone that may tend t
wards securing the location of the sal
ors and soldiers home at Rock Island