Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-04
THE STREET CAR DEALS.
The Union Street Railway ASKS Fa-
vors OF the Councii---The Bridge
ltne-Tne Old Reliable.

The Union Street Railway ASKS Fa-
vors OF the Councii---The Bridge
Line--The Old Reliable.
President Lewis of the Union street
railway went before the city council last
evening and asked two favors. both OF
which were quite reasonable and both OF
which would doubtless have been unhesi-
tatiDgly granted had Mr.. Lewis sought
them In his individual behalf, or had they
been asked for by any other institution
than the Union street railway. One was
to so amend such of the ordinances al
lowing the street railway certain rights
through the city, that those rights may
fall upon its successors and assigns; in
other words, to make its privileges of per-
petusl nature. The other petition was for
additional rights over Nineteenth street
between Third and Second avenues and
over Thirty. fifth street between Sixth and
Fifth avenues. 1t would perhaps have
been only q matter OF courtesy on the
part of the council to have granted these
requests, but the Rock Island council
does not feel called upon to extend cour-
tesies TO the Union street railway, and
the rebukes that were administered to the
corporation by Aid. Howard, Edwards,
McConochie snd Schnell for its impudent
and independent manner toward the city
after it AGO uired all the rights it desired,
were pointed and just. President Lewis
admitted that the road was heavily in
| debt and asked these courtesies and adj
vantages in order that it might put itself
in better position to sell. The Union
street railway has shown a disposition to
get along without extending any cOurte-
sizes either to the city or anybody else;
let it continue to get along without ask
ing any. The ARGUS favored the con,
struction of this railway as it would any
public enterprise, but the attitude of the
corporation toward the city has disguised
the ARGUS, as it has the people of Rock
Island generally.
The sudden flop in the attitude of the
Davenport Democrat Gazette toward the
project of uniting the cities of Rock ISL
and and Davenport by bridge railway
need not be surprise TO any one who
has an acquaintance with the facts in the
case Of a truth the Davenport paper
played the part of a hypocrite when it
pretended to favor the granting of the
bridge franchise 10 the Chicago syndicate,
but it did not believe in showing its
colors until it had to. When the transac
tons were fairly cOnsummated and the
deal which bid fair to unite the three
cities began 10 look as if it would be
successful. the Democrat Gazette threw of
the cloak which concealed its true att.
tude. and with the same hand that haC
previously extended greeting to the new
enterprise, it held forth the dagger
Those proffered shares of stock in III,
ferry enterprise to the editor of the Dav'
export journal have had their infiuenc,
as matter of course, and it is a matte
that brings remorse to any candid, fair
! minded and sincere journalist. to know
that paper with the influence, the stand
r ing and the vast field for good of tn
e Democrat Gazette, should, for finsncia
consideration. forget its dignity, its sens
. of obligation to the public and Its honor
. No matter what success or reverse tn
gentlemen of the Chicago syndicate ma
meet in their future transactions, the
have been fortunate in already comm
r into possession of the two best lines
e the three cities. The Moline and Roc
Island is the old reliable pioneer road {
a this entire section. Its original cbsrt'
" was granted May 26. 1859, and the lin
II then extended from Harper's theatre ,
n the centre of Moline. Since then man
: extensions have been made; first one ,
e the Rock Island pillow works, then fro
the east end to Dimock, Gould & Cos,
II Moline, and afterward the western term
y nus was extended to the lower saw nil
re During all its years of usefulness, Il
y Moline Il Rock Island has had but tv
l. presidents-John Warner and Jonath.
~ u Huntoon. 1t has proved a great CONVEX
70 fence to the public and source of finar
he cial revenue to its owners, and the ARG,
Or hopes it will under its new proprieto
IL ship continue to be as ably managed
!, it has been. The manner in which NJ
,r Mitchell and the other controlling diret
D. tors protected the minor stockholders,
u something quite new to transactions
q, this kind. and cannot be spoken of in /
e, high praise.