Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-09-13
THE PROPER GRADE.
co the Improvement-A Test-The
Paving Operations

Tae Mayors Reply 60 the Opposition
co the Improvement-A Test-The
Paving Operations.
This morning Mayor McConochie sent
the appended communication to the
property holders petitioning for veto to
the ordinance reestablishing the Second
avenue grade between Sixteenth and West
Seventeenth streets. and setting forth his
reasons for declining to comply. The
mayor states his ground for refusing to
interfere with the councils action very
plainly:
MAYORS OFPicE
Rock IsLsrD, H.. Sept. t2, 1882
To David Don and Business men, property owners
on Second avenue between sixteenth and Seven
teenth streets.
GENTLEMEN: have carefully coDsid-
cred all the objections raised by you in
opposition to lowering the grade on Sec
ond avenue. l believe every point at
Issue raised by you was discussed by the
city council pending the passage of the
ordinance. The question Of damages was
also raised; the city attorney read several
but Nv Nut NuHittilt tOuIA VI tht
United States sustaining the right of
municipal bodies to raise or lower grades
even though it imposed hardships upon
a few which would be beneficial To the
whole.
The action Of the council was not with
out full knowledge Of all the facts,
recognizing the difficulties that might be
encountered by lowering the grade
There Is no question as To the honesty of
their action, but as To the wisdom OF their
act time alone can demonstrate. AS to my
self favor uniformity Of grades and be-
lieve this change should have been made
last April when the established grade was
adopted by ordinance. No doubt the
council considered this was their
last chance to correct what has
been universally considered mistake
In my official capacity have an aversion
To forcing anything upon the people
which would be u hardship TO them. that
could be avoided. But after this ques
ton was fully discussed by the chosen
representatives of the people, and the
parties aggrleved were allowed every Op
portunity TO present their side of the
case, passing the council by an almost
unanimous vote. would it not look like
an usurpation of power on my part
which they would not be slow to resent
by promptly passing il over my veto?
have conversed with members of the
council, and | find no desire on the part
OF any of them To change their mind or
vote; but on the contrary they claim their
action meets with universal appreciation,
with but few exceptions. am opposed
10 vetoes on general principles; it is n
prerogative that should be used but SPAR
ingly only 10 extreme cases. or il mis-.
take had been made and there was no
other way to correct it. | am. there b.
fore, gentlemen. after considering this
question in all its phases, compelled 10
refuse the prayer OF the petition. | am
with respect, yours.
WILLIAM MCCONoCHIE. Mayor.
Mr.. David Don has now prepared an
appeal to the council to leave the curbing
and walks along the district in dispute
undisturbed as now laid. and stating that
II this is done the property holders will
consider II an amicable adjustment of the
grievance. Mr.. Don has shown com
mendable public spirit with regard to the
Second avenue improvements. being one
OF the first TO comply with the ordinance
relative to new sidewalks and having
cheerfully changed ii once to conform to
the established grade. and il the council
can after proper deliberation consistently
sccept the proposition, il will be no more
than justice to do IL. OF course this
would require simply wider curbing.
This morning. at the mayors request,
Supt. OF Waterworks Murrin, made a test
TO ascertain the depth Of the water mains
at the top Of the summit 20 be reduced
They were found five feet two inches
below the surface, which will leave them
three feet eight inches below the pave
ment surface when the new grade is made.
The question is, is this deep enough to
escape frostl Supt. Murrin says he has no
fears Of the main pine, and he thinks the
surface pipes can be turned and sunk so
A. to give them ample protection.
The paving of the north side of the
Market square intersection will be COM
pleted by tonight, and tomorrow the
T4enlieih street intersection will be
paved. aud I6en the working forces
transferred To Fourteenth