Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-07-01
Private Interests W. Public w, liar


The Davenport Democrat has the fol-
lowing editorial comments pertaining 10
the Monday night meeting of the Bust.
ness Mems association in that city
The meeting held by the Davenport
Business Mems association Monday even
ing was not too late TO accomplish good /;
but ii would have been better if held
weeks ago. During this period of silence
the enemies of pablo i'm provements have
been getting in their work They have
not, it is true, asked commercial bodies
TO help them, nor have they invited the
newspapers to their councils.
The facts in the case are simple and
easily understood. The Forty-first con-
gress appropriated $500, 900 TO begin
work on the Illinois and Mississippi canal,
and it was specified in the set that work
should begin at or near the western ter
minus of the waterway. There was no
opposition so far except from Moline.
which is not to be considered in the pres
ent status of affairs. The corps OF eu~
gineers, headed by Capt. Marshall an
Assistant Engineer L. l.. Wheeler, after
the fullest possible surveys, recommended
that the canal be constructed on the south
side of Rock river rather than on the
north side of that stream. This recon-
&mendation was approved by the secretary
% war aud the order given to begin
FORK.
AT this point band of land owners on
e north side o. Rock river near Milan
@ceived schAme which they are now
he 10 carry out. Nominally the
me is to secure revocation of the
u TO begin work and have the loca-
"a of route changed. This cOruse is
1pportsd only by those who hope TO
FDrofit either through the advance in the
price of land or in the development of
water power at government expense.
On the other hand it is opposed by every
reasonable consideration. In the first
place the engineers say they have selected
the best line for the canal The secrc-
tary of war emphasizes their position by
endorsing it. When private ard inter
ested citizens assume 70 dictate that the
line selected is not the best one they in
suit the intelligence of the engineers and
of those higher in authority. II is
piece of audacitY and the secretary OF
war has already shown uncommon cour-
tesy in taking any notice of the alleged
!. claims. set, up By the party OF specula-
N6fs.
II does not make the slightest difference
to the peopleIof Iowa, of Illinois, or OF
the northwesf, whether the canal goes on
one side OF tie river or the other. They
care absolutely nothing for personal ends
And it is not common for any private
interests to stand in the way of pGbhC
Enterprises.
The result OF this plot is not bard to
see. Il puts arguments in the hands Of
the opponents of the canal, argumen S
which they will use when the next con
gress is asked TO appropriate money to
continue work. Public sentiment in this
locality. on both sides of the river. ought
to be heard in out spoken Indignation
against what has been done. The s'Dd
ing of lObbyist-attorney to Washington
had nothing TO warrant 1t but personal
gain and greed 1t is hoped that the ac-
ton of the Davenport Business Mems as
socistion will be followed by similar Or
ganiz atoms in Rock Island, Milan, Cane
SEQ, MusCatine and other towns and cities,
in order that the department ut Washing
ton may be fully informed as to the exact
state OF affairs. That this national WORK
with half million dollars at command
ready to begin op, rations should be de-
layed through the Misrepresentation OF
apF one man or any body of men is not
Z be thought Of
-
Tha Iadtea na,1phred