Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-12-17
FOR THE WAREHOUSE.


In itseffort to secure the location OF
the Indian warehouse, Rock Island had
no more sincere and persevering friend
than in Congressman Niece, attesting
well the fact that although that gentleman
has been defeated for reelection to his
seat in congress, he still as ever has the
interests of Rock Island as well as any
part of the district which has honored
him at heart. Before J. d. C. Atkins, CONS
missioner of Indian affairs last week,
Mr.. Niece made the following remarks in
behalf of having the Indian warehouse
located at Rock Island, and nobody
could have presented the advantages
of this locality more forcibly, In fact
Mr. Niece impressed the commissioner
to such an extent that he requested his
remarks to be written.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U. S.. |
Washington, d. c., Dec, 10th, 1886. {
Hon j. D. c. Atkins Commissioner of Indian
Affairs:
DEAR SIR:-Acting according to your
suggestion that l submit my remarks IN
tsvor OF locating The Indian supply
warehouse at or near Rock Island, III, L
will submit the following: In my judg
ment Rock Island presents advantages
to the government. not equaled By any
other locality. First it ought to be loca>
ted in the west; every consideration
points in that direction, 1t located 10
New York, or any OF the eastern states,
it would preclude all western competl-
lion for the furnishing Of supplies con-
iemplated by the government to be kept
in the warehouse. No western manu-
facturer could compete with those in the
east, for the railroad freights alone would
be an obstacle sufficient to give the east
err manufacturer monopoly of this
trade while it would be greatly TO the
disadvantage of the government, for the
great distance from where the goods are
To be used would be hindrance,
owing to the delays IN transportation and
many times IN the winter when rail-
road transportation is so uncertain. II
located in the west they can be speedily
transported to the agencies where they
are needed, avoiding the expense, delays
and the chsnces OF loss by transportation,
and putting it in the power of those hav>
'ng the indian affairs under their control
to make these supplies available at the
times when they may DO the most good
ihe location OF tins institution IN the
east Wonid IN my judgment render the
project useless and detriment to the
government, and cruel mistake for the
poor lndlan Tor whose dement, We are
Trying TO provide lhose supplies should
oe kept al point Whefe they couid De
transported WIN as little delay ana eX
penSe ~ poSs4oie. MANY Oh those sup
ples viii necessarily nave 10 De produced
III Ihe west ana all can De as cheaply,
as 81 Tue east Jour ~ cal, meat, blank
els: clothing and III fact most all the
arucles Iurh.saed o; tile government can
a essHy auu cheapiy oe produced III the
"est as toeY can IN 'ile east ana many
OF tnF arucies more So such as noaf.
But II IS suggested oy the Hon. Mr.
feFhlns ana others 10 place TINS iastlIu
tloA s1lh farther west Ihls Is all right II
'he location 1 am advocating does not
present more advantages than those
points named farther West-frst the
location III the vicinity of Rock Island
would secure lively competition for
FURNISHING those supplies between the
east ana Tue west the north ana tne
sou1n' We" 1orA couid compete win
Chlca9o' ~ LOUIS, 81. Paui and New
orleans. Inc advantages II located at
ROCK Island would invite competition
from every manufacturing point in the
United States, besides it might be located
on the island. which already belongs to
The government; and il it be thought
best not to be placed on the island, be
ny III I'M Ile 'icinl'y, IL couiu Dc projected
officials If located at R6rk fsIand
Many of the articles could be .nanu>
facturrd by the government at Rock
Island in its shops which are already in
good running order. THE plows now
furnished the Indians are manufactured