Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-14


rather entertaining one to the disinter
ested OBJ server-was last nights council
meeting By the time the municipal
mill got fairly to grinding there was 9
full board present.
The first amusing incident was the in.
nocent motion of Aid. Howard that the
bill of the council committee on pave.
ment inspection be referred to the finance
committee before being allowed. so that
an itemiaed account of the expenditures
might be shown. This manifestation OF
gross discourtesy and bad faith in his
own colleagues, on Howard's part was
sharply rebuked by Aldermen Schroeder
and Corken, and while Aid Negus sar
castically seconded Towards motion. the
council finally decided to allow the bill
without preliminaries.
The plans for identifying Union Square
were sub nitted, and Aid. Howard had
put in plea for necessary new sidewalks
about Franklin Square in the same con-
nection, and then Mr.. r. Champion adj
dressed the council on the ACCESSIBILITY Of
making the suggested changes, holding
that in its present condition Union Square
was disgrace to the city. detriment to
the city's progress and a source of dam
age amounting to from IS 900 to $40, 900
annually. AID. Schnell spoke OF the
fame of the city ali over the world; he
had heard of il before coming to America
and he thought these improvements
should be made and the city's good name
abroad sustained in reality. He hoped
all would work together in harmony In
making such necessary improvements as
the plans contemplated. Aid. Hampton
described the plans pursued in besutify-
ing the public park at Council Bluffs.
The subject was at last referred to the
street and alley committee together with
Aid. Howards suggestion as to Frank,
lin Square.
Aid Schroeder made a plea for new
sidewalks and Aid. Schnell and Aid.
Corken also spoke in favor of these inn
provemenls. Then the Schroeder resolu-
ton described in the official proceedings,
passed.
After the election of a justice of the
peace and constables to fill vacancies in
the township officers, Alderman Howard
abruptly broke forth, ~ move we go
into the paving business
The matter of the street Car curve and
track under the railroad viaduct in the
east part OF town was disposed of and
then the council waded into the paving
business" subject that absorbed its
attention until the midnight bells broke
the silence of night outside the stormy
chamber. An ordinance for the paving
of Broadway from Fifth avenue to the
terminus of the thorougbfare
was read and properly referred, and then
came the tug of war" over the material
for the second avenue Improvement on
the ordinance to adopt brick First came
the remonstrance against any kind of
material for paving. AS it contained the
names of several who had appended
their signatures to the brick petition,
Alderman Negus asked an explanation.
Z. FL. Guyer was given permission to ex-
plain, anC he stated tina; many had
signed the brick petition who favored
nothing, but if something was to be
adopted, to let it be brick.
Alderman Hampton believed brick
would prove failure and more expen
sive than either cypress or cedar, but as
the majority of the property holders had
asked for brick, the council could not
consistently do otherwise than give it to
them.
Alderman Schnell stated his belief
that the council was not for brick; but
the street must be paved He thought
brick or cy press should be adopted, but
he would vote for brick in preference to
nothing.
Alderman Edwards favored advertising
for cedar and cypress as well as brick,
and then deciding upon the cheapest. He
believed the council was cornered on
brick, and he did not like that kind of
business.
Alderman Negus thought the council
should make an effort to gain the express
sion of property holders and fairer re-
suits could be obtained than by the petit
ton in the hands of an interested party
Alderman Knox favored settling the
question once for all. and this was also
the opinion of Alderman Larkin. AL
derman Negus beleveds the city of
Rock Island was for granite, and the
city's interests should have weight in de,
termining this question. E. h. Guyer
spoke again.
Aid. Edwards insisted upon his propo-
sition that in the specifications bids
should be made for cypress and cedar as
we'll as brick. Aid. Schnell agreed with
him and ex City Attorney McEniry being
called upon, thought such could be done.
City Attorney Haas thought it could not;
that the council must be positive in its
specifications as to material.
Aid. Edwards thought the council was
pretty well cornered; in fact there was no
council there at all. After further dis
cussion the brick ordinance passed by a
vote of 10 to /, Aid. Edwards sustsinin &
the negative side.
COUNCIL CHAT.