Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-07-24
TALKING UNNITING.
Rock Island Representative Citi.
zens Express Themselves.
Last Nights Meeting at the IMPROVE.
ment Association Rooms 60 Consider
Consoiidation---V Views Exchanged.

ment Association Rooms 60 co er
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Exehanged.
The large attendance at the special
meeting of the Rock Island Citizens I'm
provement sssocisXon last evening to
consider the Proposition to consolidate
the cities Of fscck Island and Moline.
showed no More conclusively the largely
prevailing sentiment in favor of uniting
'ne Guys il such can be accomplished on
oaTs mutually satisfactory and advan-
'1Eeous, than it did the interest so freely
manifested in all projects looking to the
community's advancement and growth.
The prevailing sentiment was to adopt
some measure that would meet the de-
slres, aims and best interests of both
cities and of the entire community in
which they are located. President Hass
presided, and Walter johnson was sec
rotary pro tenn.
After the object Of the meeting had
been set forth by the reading of the call,
Mr. E. H. Guyer. "a n member Of the
discussion committee. stated that he had
obtained the actual financial status of
both cities with a view of ascertaining
whether any unequal burdens would be
imposed on either without return in
the way of property advantages. The
municipal possessions of Moline were
shown to be S221 900. and its bonded
debt placed at $50, 900. leaving a balance
in its favor of $l41,0O0. Rock Islands
property was placed at 1856 800. and its
debt at Sees. 900, balance in its favor
of S136. 800.
FAIR PROPOSITION.
The appended resolution was presented
by Secretary johnson and Mr.. August
Huesing moved its adoption, Mr.. William
Jackson seconding it.
Resoloed That a committee of ten be
appointed by the char to meet a like
committee, should one be appointed, of
the Business association of Moline. and
arrange terms mutually just and advan>
tageous by which the cities of Moline and
Rock Island may be united in one munici-
pality; such arrangements when agreed
upon TO be reported to the two sssocia
tions for consideration.
Then followed long and interesting
discussion In the course of which many
SOUND IDEAS
were advanced. DR. Truesdale favored
the plan of the resolution as right and
proper as a means of agitating the sub
ject and gaining the general sentiment
before formal course of the law should be
entered into The doctor inquired of Mr.
Guyer as to the initiatory proceeding:
under the new law. and the reply was
that petition signed by $50 citizens Of
one of the towns desiring consolidation
to the county court for an order to sub
NIT the question to popular vote.
Congressman W. II. Gest was called
upon for an expression. 1t was to his
mind question of great Importance to
Rock Island and Moline. both, that they
should be united. Since being a member
of congress his views had broadened IL
this respect. Heretofore he had looked
upon the matter solely from the stand
point of Rock Island We all naturally
take pride in our homes and when away
from home take pride also in our sur
roundings-in our state. He had-come Il
have the same regard and care and con-
sideratiOn for Moline as he had for Rocl
Island, and this is the spirit we all have
in entering upon the subject of consolida-
ton. He spoke of the growth of bOti
cities toward each other until now ONLY
an imaginary line interviewed. Many
things would be gained by CONSOLE
dalton: such as a healthier sentiment
the oblitersting of the long exist
ing rivalry between the two cite
and which has not been always pleas
ant. There would he no exclusivones.
hut instead political, social and bushes
mon council and union OF interests an
the economical gain in having but on
set of city officers, and then the incress
In population-the people of Molin
would rejoice as much as the people {
Rock Island In city of 10000.
Speaking Of the obstacles in the way c
consolidation, Mr.. Gest cited the
MATTER OF NAME
Years ago when this same matter wa
discussed, the committees of the tw
towns split on the subject of name
each desiring to give it's name toGhe ney
municipality. This is serious consider
alton now. Moline has just reason TO b
proud OF its name; its manufactures
pretty homes and wideawake, intelligent
people have given it a name Throughout
the country that it should take grea
pride in. Yet Rock Island is proud O
its name, too, for the same reasons, an,
because, too, that the name has beef
blazoned in this country and is know
over in Europe. The Rock Island roaC
Is proud of the name and has advertised
and is advertising it the world over
The Great Rock Island Route" is moi
only constantly keeping the name befor
the people In the commercial world, bu
everywhere in the world is the rout,
known and its fame spread as the "Rocl
Island Route" These solid advantage
in the name should not be lost sight of b,
the proposed committee, but there shoulC
he disnlaued q anirit Of conni;at;o. - al