The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-01-28
THE BUTCHERS SIDE.
The AbattOlr Question as Viewed
by a "mueh Abused Class"--Ex.
cuses for not Complying with
the Municipal Law.

The butchers of the city. who are now
carrying on business in open violation of
law, have issued a statement oatlinin &
as they claim their position on the abat-
tor question. The following is brief
abstract of the circular:
To Our Patrons
As q persistent effort has, during the
last few months, been made to manufac>
ture and influence public opinion with re,
gard to our action on the abattoir ques,
ton, we consider it due to our patrons to
define our position on that issue. After
Mr.. B. Davenport had offered to donate
two acres of land in the lower part of the
town to the city for slaughtering pur-
poses, the butchers went down to take a
look at the place, and after q very
thorough examination of the same, arriv>
ed at the conclusion that it was wholly
unfit for the designed purpose, and there
Messrs. Wagner, Tremsnn, Naab. Sehin-
dler and Sass, had conference with May
or Murdoch, Alderman Larkin and Cava-
naugh. City Attorney Sweeney and
Health Commissioner Craig, at which
conference our objections to the propos-
ed site and the reasons therefor, were then
and there made known to the gentlemen.
We will here state that some of us have
been iu the sisughtering business for
over thirty-five years, and it is therefore
reasonable to presume that we were
judges about matters pertaining to
slaughtering establishments. but our
arguments had no weight with the gentle
men representing the city council. Up
to and during all this time not a dollar
had been paid out BY the city on the
abattoir. and to prevent useless ex-
penditure Of money, and TO avoid compll-
cations, the attorney of the butchers
Union, Hon. Ira 0. Wilkinson. went be-
fore the city council. at its regular meets
ing on the 9th of July last, and presented
out petition, containing in substance the
following: The location is swampy. wet
and subject TO overflow, being some ten
feet below the standard low water mark.
1t Is without the proper facilities for
necessary drainage; good portion of the
time it is inaccessible. and approachable
for cattle only by driving them through
thIckly settled streets and portions of the
city, which would be hazardous In the
use thereof. The two acres proposed
would also be wholly inadequate for the
purpose. The grounds now occupied BY
US. for slaughtering purposes ONLY. en-
brace over fifteen acres mot including
pasturage) and are none too large. Sit
uated as tnisacity is. with other and COM
peting cities closely adjacent TO it where
fully one half the Strengthening for the
butchers of this city and those doing bust
| ness here is done, the amount of business.
| as also the price for Strengthening must,
| to considerable extent, be dependent
| upon and limited by the action OF cur
| sister cities. and cannot. as We are in
formed, be prevented or materially
changed BY any action on the part OF the
authorities of this city. Considering these
circumstances. we are Of opinion that the
amount of business. as also the prices
Which could be realized by The city from
the abSttolr are largely over estimated /.
In presenting these suggestions we desire
to say that our interest, as well as onr
feelings and duties as citizens, prompt US
to harmonious action with the city
council on this subject, and TO give our
aid TO all just and proper measures for
the prevention OF disease and the promo
ton Of the health of the city, confidently
relying upon the justice OF the city au
thorities not TO impose upon us indivi
dually, or Us a class. impnssioiiities or
burdens not shared by the citizens in
general. All of which is respectfully
submitted Then follow the names Of
twelve butchers, all there were do ng
business at that time in the city. But,
as the sequel shows, The managers of the
abattoir racket were bent on building ii.
They seemed to be in position to run
things with high hand, and were bound
to improve it while the golden opportuni'
| ty lasted. They never inquired us to the
right of the city TO go into the slaughter
house business, for if they had they
would hardly have made the venture be
cause the general Incorporation law, I'm.
der which our city is at present organ
lied. does not. anywhere in its provisions,
cloths the city government with the
power to build slaughter house aui
compel the butchers to patronize it
In a recent decision by our supreme
court it was held that where the general
incorporation laws are silent on any sub,
ject or matter, then prior charter, If
lhey be any. governs the points at issue
Under that decision then, We would have
70 consult the charter Ia force prlor L
NOV AN. le'S'-"hen the present one
was auoplea- ano laefe we mo, WIN
reference TO slaughter houses Tue loiio"
ING Articie w. oeclloh 90 says the Guy
eouncil shaa nave power TO oirect The
location ano regulate inc management OIL
ofeweries' tamarles, placksmi,h SHOPS
| lou uuIlGS, lively SldUleS dUu phChIu