Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-02

inc COUNCIL ~ us special mettinR last
night accepted the Second avenue pave-
ment by rising unanimous vote. upon
Aid. Edwards amendment to AID Knox's
original motion to accept it conditionslly.
90 that any defects pointed out by the
mayor and street and alley committee be
remedied by the contractors. Mr.. Att
kinson had informed the council that
any part Of the work not strictly in sc>
cordsnce with specifications would be
cheerfully attended to. Every council
man present-Aldermen Negus. Corken.
Knox. Howard, Schnell, Edwards,
Schroeder. Lsrkin, Ill, Evans, Hampton,
Buncber and Hetter. spoke compliment
tary Of the work. and Aid. Negus and
Hampton said it was better Job than
they had seen in their official tour of in
spection Of other brick paved cities.
Mayor McConochie expressed MS belief
that funds collectable by assessment to
defrsy the expenses of the improvement
would be In within ten days.
Aid. Corken brought up the matter of
the diabolicsl job that is being made in
the relsying Of the walk on the north
side OF court house square, ard called
the councils attention to the CT ordin-
snces on the subject. section IF which
says that stone walks must be of good
smooth stone tagging. not less than three
inches in thickness, firmly laid in sand
and well jointed." The only portion of
the walk that is in compliance with ordi>
nance specifications. the sldern an said,
was that it was laid in sand. The stone
broken stone at that-wss not more
than one to one-and .a>hslf inch ss thick
and not jointej at sll, and he me we'd that
the mayor and street and alley committee
stop the work and have it properly done.
Aid. Hampton. for q wonder, thought
the walk ought to be condemned
Aids. SchneIl. Schroeder and Howard
expressed their indignation that such
disgrscetul piece of work should be I'M
dertsken.
The views OF Supervisor Atkins
son as representing the county board
were solicited and he stated that The walk
was being put down because two mem
beers Of the committee on public expendi-
lures. having no interest in the city. had
overruled the Rock Island mem Der and
that the stone was dangerous. unsightly
and unfit for walk.
The council thereupon By un inimous
vote ordered that the relsying o. the old
walk be discontinued and the mayor then
and there notified the marshal to stop the
work this morning-snd he did So.
At next Monday nights meet nc the
municipal body will doubtless be called
upon TO act on the petition for the ex-
tension of the improvement of Second
avenue TO the pillow works. There is
some opposition to the project. but it
should be ignored in the interests of pub
lie progress. There are those who,
prompted by selfish aims or otherwise,
fought the pavement that has been laid.
but the msgnifcence Of the work has
hushed their dissenting voices and put
them To shsme1 The present council has
the reputation OF being the best he city
hiss had for years in point OF siyanced
ideas and OF ssnctioning public enter
prise. This Is not the time to usr that
reputation. The city fathers cannot
afford to set q precedent OF ignor ng the
popular will aud the public cry for i'm
provsments and of recognizing the hand
Of opposition. II they do they will be
expected to sit down on all petitions for
improvement, and the good work only
now begun will close, The extension of
the Second avenue pavement ought TO be
the next work ordered by city council. 1t
10 the chief thoroughfare Of the city, the
one over which men coming here TO in
vestigate the opportunities OF the locality
for investment are driven. and he i'm.
preston to be gained from a ride over 3
mile or more of fine brick pavement,
passing handsome business blocks aud
elegant residences ia likely to be an en-
during one.
Our city council has shown its worth
In the paving enterprise just comp eted as
well as in ordering improved walks and
public park improvements. Ititshow that
it can be still further depended upon by
ordering continuance Of the good work.
Let the pavement go further west on Sec
ond avenue. This is the universal sp
peal of the public.
kaRfaI Evenra