Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-08-28
THAT'S BUSINESS.


A Citizens League to be Organized TO
Advance the City's Interests and
Make Necessary improvements.
For some time the leading busi-
ness men and progressive citizens of
Rock Island have been discussing among
themselves the propriety of taking some
steps that would lead to the improve
ment and advancement of the city. 1t
was apparent from the first that united
effort different entirely from any organi-
cation at present in existence should be
made in order 10 gain the ends desired.
The matters talked over finally consum-
mated in a meeting of merchants and
other citizens at the Harper house at 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The meet
ing organized with the election OF ex.
Mayor Henry Carse as chairman
and E. B. McKown secretary
R. Champion stated the object of the
meeting was to form q Citizens
League" to improve trade and promote
the general welfare of the city. There
were three things that should necessarily
| receive attention in order to accomplish
these results: One was the Improvement
of the approaches to the city, which
should include the removal of the tolls on
the Milan bridges. or the building of new
roads and bridges to the lower end of the
county at the mouth of Rock river, thus
opening up direct avenue to the south
end of the county; the opening up of
Sixth avenue or some other tho-oughfare
through to Moline away from railroads OF
street cars, and the establishment of a
union depot. That the consummation of
these improvements, each and all, are
necessary in order that the city may grow
as it should, all present unanimously
agreed.
Mayor Banding having been called
upon to explain the position of the pres
ent city council in the matter of making
the Milan bridges free, stated that in his
opinion the council would cheerfully part
with the bridges, on condition that proper
assurances be furnished that they be
properly maintained without tolls. O. J.
DImick made a proposition to donate
sufficient land for a roadway through his
farm to the proposed new bridge at the
mouth of Rock river on condition that
certain nuisances in that end be abated
The subject of the union depot having
been introduced, Mr.. Carse stated that
while he was mayor the union depot pro.
lect was very nearly accomplished; that
the G., R |. & P had then agreed tc
back its trains down to Twentieth street,
on condition that a viaduct be construc-
ted over the tracks at the foot of Twenty
| fourth street. and that at that time Col
| Flagler. the !hen commandment at the
arsenal favored it greatly, and promised
that the government would raise the Syl-
van water bridge five feet and ex.
tend it over the tracks forming
part of the viaduct if the city
cede Jurisdiction for an approach to The
bridge and the different railways sinh
their tracks two feet. President Cabl,
, of the Rock Island road was then Willing
to cooperate in such plan and only OBJ
Jected to sinking the company's track,
below high water mark. Mr.. Carse sait
that he had surveyed the premises anC
found that the tracks could go down / fl
feet without encountering the level o
the high water mark. He believed Their,
would be no trouble in arranging will
the c., r. |. & P. to back its train.
down to Twentieth street and that tn,
ground and locality was admirably
adapted to union depot purposes.
The proposition to organize a perma.
nent society met with general spprova
and a committee of five to include Mr.
Carse as chairman. was upon motion ap.
pointed, and Messrs Will R. johnson
R. Champion. T. J. Medill aud H. ]
Lowrey were named. The meeting vot
ed Manager Lowrey an expression o
thanks for the use of the hotel reading
room for the meeting and it was decide.
to meet at the council chamber-whicl
Mayor Blanding rendered for that pur
pose-Thursday evening next to com
plete the organization.