Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-03
A TIMELY TRIP.
1t Was Fortunate That Oliver oil.
sen Went East.
Measures OF Vital lmD0rtane. TO This
community Permitted to Suf-
fer and Our supposed Rep
resentative Is silent.

Fred Hass hes received a second letter
from o liver Olsen at Washington AMI
while its contents are more encouraging
than the first as to the real condition of
affairs al the national capital it shows
how fortunate il was that Rock Island
sent live representative to Washington
and how far measures of Importance to
this locality were treated with indifference
oy one who is supposed to be responsibility
the representative OF the people-the re-
! firing congressman Mr.. Olsen's letter
is appended in full;
WASHINGTON. d c.. Feb 2S-Fred
Hass. E-a Dear Sir:-I believe have
b. retofore written you about Mr.. Morri.
sons absence in the west and the conse-
| quent delay in the viaduct matter. On
my return from New York | immediately
called on Col. Whitney, Of the judge ads
vocate's Office, and found that he had in
terested himself for me ia the matter.
then met Mr.. Morrison and the papers
were approved and ordered on their way.
The next day, Thursdty, l again called
on them and found certain endorsements
had been omitted. had them made a d
again started for the attorney generals
office. Friday again called and could
find no traces of them. | enlisted Mr..
| MOrrlsons aid, and after long
search found them in the cores,
| poDdepce Office of the war depart.
ment. / then staid with them until all
necessary official correspondence hsd
been made and accompanied them to the
] document room, from whence they were
cent, l accompanying the messenger, to
the department of justice.
Here l struck snsg in the absence of
the receiving and fling official. This
morning was again on hand and for.
mally placed them myse + in the hands of
MIR, Bentley who is old reliability himself
in the attorney genera Office. He has
some New York City matters on hand
and must now wait until Tuesday at 2
p. m, before anything more can be
done. | have met with much courtesy
and kindness in the Judge advocate gen
erals off e, both from Col Winthrop
and Mr.. Morrison. When l left them
Friday they both volunteered that they
were glad that l came over, that nv
presence had materially helped TO clear
up and expedite the matter.
| had about ten minutes chat with Mr.
Bentley today, explained 10 him the situ-
| alton at Rock Island, the uses aid needs
of the viaduct. and the general priDci>
| clples involved in the questions before
| him. | find him an old man, very pleas
ant in manner, and decidedly bright in
mind He has the reputation among de
! partmeDt chiefs Of being one Of the abl ST
men in the government service. | anti
| cipate no trouble with him l have
called two or three times on Gen. Flag
Ter. who Is how in actual charge of the
| ordnance bureau. he has not yet moved
his family 10 Washington, 10; having
| found suitable house. | have seen
Judge Hayes but once since / have been
here, although | am housed under the
same roof. He, MIR. Gest and all our con-
gress men are working night and day.
have seen more of Aleck Macarthur, OF
Aledo, than any one else. He is the
head Of division in the treasury de
par;meut, and gener lily recognized as
one of the most efficient officials IN that
department.
am heartily sick of Washington and
wish | were at home. There Is so
much Formally, red tape, delay, that it
fairly sickeus anyone who attempts 10
get anything done The men individu-
ally are not TO blame; they are most of
them worthy and obliging men-it is the
system | hope and expect - get home
next week With everything in good shape.
except nv pocket boob | entertain grave
fears concerning it, it has grown 80 thin
and emaciated. Very truly yours,
OLIVER OLSEN.