Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-05-21
MARKET SQUARE.
Its Appearance Should be Substan.
tally Improved.
The Advantage of the Ordinance "a
Pave It---Diiapidated Condition OF
the drinking Fountain.

among other good works that are
being accomplished for the good of Rock
Island " said citizen to an ARGUS re-
presen tative this morning, attention
should be given Market square, the con-
dition of which is at present actually dis
graceful. and cannot much longer,
think, escape the attention of our enter :
prising city council. A man who has
any in -erest in the city may observe with
pride and pleasure what has been accom>
plished in the way of Improvement at
Spencer square. which has been trans
| formed from swamp to a beautiful
park such as would do credit to any city
Rock Island has realized, and will con-
tlnue 20 realize, gain for every cent that
has been expended in this great work
But while we are gratfied over this
advantage. we should not shut our eyes
t. the condition of Market square, the
condition OF which is almost as deplor-
able as was was Spencer square formal
| ly. Aid. Larkin's ordinance, which was
presented at Monday nights session of
the council for the paving of the square,
should not fai! of passage. Here is a large
block of property in the business heart
of the city, locality that naturally first
attracts the eye of the stranger in the
city, and it is the first objective point of
all farmers coming TO town. Aside from
the paving of the square there are other
minor improvements that ought to be
made and which, while not in
volving necessarily large expen-
ditnre on the part of the city,
will result in great benefit to
Rock Island. Have you noticed the
dilapidated condition of the fountain on
the Second avenue front of the square2
Here is au ornamental as well as useful
structure, gift to the city. which is act
ually going to pieces through shere ne,
giect 1t will not cost the city great
deal TO put this fountain in good condi-
ton. A little job of plumbing followed
up b. a few coats of paint is all that is
necessary.
and another thing The electric light
tower at Mitchell 81 Lynde's corner is
soon to be removed. II is right it should
be. a. it never should have been erected
there Low lights constitute the only
satisfactory method of illuminating the
business part of the city. The towers are
all right on the outskirts, but for the
business streets the low lights alone are
adap .able. Now. as to my point. In the
cupoa of the structure which contains
the fountain is an excellent place for an
electric light. The lamp is really already
there and is in READINGS, for the reception
of the light. This is one suggestion which
| wish to throw out, and another is that
in addition TO the paving of the square
and the improvement of the square,
the ! tile shanty which is used for weigh.
masters quarters should be replaced by
building of more artistic design, such as
would combine quarters for the weigh
master in the lower part and band-
stand above. or that it simply be used for
the weigbmaster. At any rate there
should be he ter looking building
there
"My idea in suggesting the bandstand
ia that there might be merchants sub
scriptiOn concerts in the square Saturday
nights alternating with Spencer square
However, the band could occupy the
space inclosed in the fountain structure,
but it would not be so convenient for the
musicians. These improvements should
command the attention of the council
this spring. The fountain certainly will
be placed in better condition, while the
paving ordinance should surely pass"