Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-16

1T is very gratifying to me to note
with what spirit Of enthusiasm the council
is taking hold of these paving p-oposi-
tons, said one OF the Oldest AMI most
successful and extensive business men In
Rock Island. hailing an ARGUS reporter
yesterday. ITO have body of alder
men who will encourage these enterprises
and further them despite the strictly
local and selfish opposition that sure
10 arise always and everywhere. i, truly
good fortune that all progressive cities
DO not possess. One of the best things
the council has done, next, OF cou Sc, TO
the original rsving undertaking and the
general sidewalk Improvement is the
ordering OF the continuation of the pres
ent Second avenue pavement 10 the
western part OF the city-to the manu-
featuring district, where all capitalists
are sure TO go IL they come to Il CITY
with view of seeking investment. The
council did a wise thing and a popular
act in countenancing the extension and it
is to be hoped it will stand firm in its
position.
Il am glad, too. to see the matter of
improving the inlets into the city dis,
cussed. That idea of curbing and paw
ing Seventeenth street clear out % the
limits is a splendid one. Iwould Ike to
see the same plan adopted on Twen-
tieth street. Those are the two main
avenues leading out into the coun-
try. Improve them and the city will
reap benefit l have one ugges-
ton TO make in connection with the paw
ing OF these two streets and il is this;
that after getting out as far as Fifth or
Sixth avenues the streets be boulevarded
the remainder of the way, thus not only
very materially reducing the cost inv olved
upon the property holders, but adding
much in the line Of beauty and sttrac-
tiveness to the appearances of the street.
With these thoroughfares put in
thoroughly psssable condition at all
seasons and the Rock river bridges free
as the council ought to make them, the
business of Rock Island would incre ase a
good many fold in the next year
Il like the Market square impr ove>
ment suggestion. The square should By
all means be paved with granite snd the
city fountain and weighmsster's quarters |
given much more attractive appearance.
Make the place look Ms inviting sno as
suggestive Of enterprise and home pride
as possible. That is my idea exactly"
The Davenport Democrat Gazette is at
tempting to urge upon the city fathers
over there the very thing the Rock Island
are doing. 1t says:
Although late beginning was made
Davenport has PIT down three blocks of
BRICK street paving this year Those vino
have watched the work as hundreds of
citizens have done, are satisfied tina. it
has been carefully and economically one,
md that the city has received the fu lest
possible return for Its money. Next
lesr instead of putting down three blocks
here will be q demand for ten times as
much. and II will not be confined TO one
street or two OF them. Rock Island.
Moline, Burlington. Clinton. Dubuque
md cities all around us will be in thu I'M
business. too, and there is ear
hat there may be famine of material.
This, however, may be averted. The
thing IN n n urh ipfa - I
lave the streets fronting their property
waved is TO begin NOW. Not, of course,
o actually tear up the streets, but to cir
ulate and sign petitions; get them be-
ore the city council and have the neces-
AIRY action taken. In this way the con,
racts may be let more advantsgeously.
everything will be ready for early be-
ginning In the spring, and more and bet
er work will result than If the matter il
The businers men and
property owners of Davenport are
'hrewd enough TO see the point. Get
'eady now To improve the streets In 1890.
Rock Island is several lengths shea1 of
Davenport in the paving business, and
will keep so, having completed twice the
number OF blocks. and ordered eleven
more. whereas Davenport has ordered
none. but would it not be part of Wis.
ION for Rock Island to let all its con-
tracts as soon as possible, with the in>
structions to the contractors that they
engage their material at once2 The con-
.ract for Eighteenth street has teen
awarded, and Messrs. Atkinson & Cloff
had better make arrangements for their
prick without delay.
AYEAR's IMPROVEMENTS.
There are q number of improveint nts
hat Rock Island may very easily m AXE
next year and vet accomplish little ore
n the way Of transformation than it has
his But how much in the way of gen
,ral good will be done. If the appended
list Of projects are consummated, as they
nav be. by simple exertion and perse-
verRnce:
Build the railroad viaduct.
Start the Hennepin canal.
Extend the paving in all directions.
Continue the sidewalk improveme ats.
Beautify Union square.
Declare the Rock river bridges free.
Provide an electric fire alarm.
Agitste the Union depot.
This list is worthy of preservation for
reference, rs there is not a suggested inn
In it. and with these advanta-
ges not only will business thrive, but new
industries and commercial enterprises |
will be induced to come from abroad
More Uniawfuiness.