Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-08-12
THE PEOPLES WISH.
Electricity Sought as a Motive Powes on
the Bridge Line

the Bridge Line.
THE ARGUS does not presume to
criticise the personal opinions of peo-
pie as regards the adoption of cleo
tricity as motive power on the
bridge line. 1t cheerfully accords to
all the same right that it reserves it
self-to hold whatever ideas may
seem right. There are, doubtless,
those in Rock Island. who, having
some doubts as to the safety of cleo
trio cars on the bridges, are disposed
to withhold endorsement of the
petitions now in circulation, while
there are yet those who don't care fig
about the matter either way. But it
to is not either category thus alluded
to that the few individuals belong
who are making personal matter of
fighting the adoption of the electric
system, who are putting in time at
tempting to create an impression
that electric ears on the bridges
will be absolutely dangerous,
and whose remarkable interest in the
matter is carrying them so far as to
talk of sending emissaries to Wash
ington to thwart the movement look
ing to the extension of our electric
system across the government do
main. People actuated by a desire
solely to promote the good and safety
of the human family dom adopt such
radical course of procedure. Men
are not, as rule, neglecting bust
ness and running around trying to
do something to keep somebody else
from getting hurt. They are not
built that way. Fortunately or I'M
fortunately, one or the other, those
who belong to this element in Rock
Island who are opposed to the cleo
trio cars on the ground of safety may
be numbered on your fingers.
The Peoples Wish.
The petitions now in circulation in
the three cities do not indicate that
there is any great amount of fear ex-
listing among the people. as a whole,
as to the safety of electric cars on
the bridges, or elsewhere. They be-
lieve that what has been true in 9TH
er cities similarly situated will be
equally applicable mere. They don't
take any stock in the theory that
electric cars will work any greater
danger on the Rock Island bridges
than they do on other bridges where
conditions are almost identicalI
They don't see why the rich mans
horse in Rock Island, Davenport, OF
Moline should not be educated into
submission to the approach of the
poor mans carriage the same as he
has been in other cities. The peo-
pie. rs a whole, do not see why be-
cause n man may be fortunate
enough to own fiery team he should
have any more privileges on the gov
erment island than their vehicle
They know that with the substitu-
tion of electric for horse power on
the bridges the time between the
two cities will be reduced one-half
that aside from the benefits they will
receive, a company which has eXpen-
( ded SS7, 900 in public improvements
on the bridges and island. ought not
to be made to stand aside in the inter.
est of a corporation that has no pub
lie interest there or in either city other
than what it rings out of the people
travelling from shore to shore.
THE ARGUS believes in letting the
people be heard in this matter. and il
hopes and believes the authorities al
Washington will act in accordanc,
with the voice of the people as shown
by the petitions now in circulation