Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-04-17
SITE SELECTED.
That for Rock Islands New
City Hall.
DAVIS PROPOSITION ACCEPTED,

IA hVIOo1I1UN AUCEPTED.
The Remonstrance Presented ana Sum
ported by Hon. w. II. Gcst Tho Cttv,.
Rights In the Premises Set Forth Inv the
City Attorney An Unfair Ordinance Re-
Pe"led-Other Proceedings.
Immediately following the ordina-
ry routine proceedings at last nights
council meeting, the rules were sus-
pended and the report of the special
committee on the city hall site called
for. Aid. Roth presented the promo.
sion OF the Davis syndiate and its ac-
ceptance by the council. and moved
its approval. The terms set forth in
the committees report were that the
city avail itself of the opportunity
presented by the syndicate represen-
tea by the Mcssrs. Davis concerning
the gas works property bounded bv
East and West Seventeenth streets.
the land being appraised at SlO.5 500,
anu the syndicate TO erect 4 buildjnp
in accordance with the citv's ideas,
the city to pay $1,000 June next.
and $500 annually thereafter for a
period of 10 years, which represents
the payment on the principle and G
per cent on the money invested, and
at the end of 10 years the city is to
res Give a deed to the property.
Before the proposition was put on
its passage, Hon. W. ii. Gest was
given permission to be heard. and he
asked if there was not rcmonstrance
on file against the proposed transac-
ton. Thercupon City Clerk Huesinp
read the remonstrance. which set
forth the objections to the PROPOSE
ton to erect the city building. point
ing out the abattoir as warning to
the council. and particularly oppos-
ing the location at the foot of Seven
teenth street. Mr.. Gest said it mai
tered not the form OF the proposition
or the acceptance. The law reaches
TO the substance. 1t is simply a
proposition to build city hall at an
expense OF $4,000 to the people of
the community. lie questioned the
power OF the city, in view OF its
present financial condition to make
such a contract. Ii by so doing the
city would exceed its constitutional
limit. 1t had not the power, whether
II was called lease or Il purchase.
The remonstrance states, said Mr..
Gcst. that the city is already in debt
to the extent of its limits. If that is
fact, the council has not the power
to incur further debt, and its action
would he void and could be i'm
peached by any citizen OF the town.
Mayor Medill informed Mr.. Gest
that the city in no way obligatcs it
self in this proposition. 1t merely
takes an option on quarter. which
no one would deny the city the right
to do.
Mr.. Gest inquired if the city's in
dchtedness was up to the limit.
The mayor replied that it was:
il was in excess OF it.
Then Mr.. Gest retorted the CITY
had no power to take a lease ut any
sum:
Aid. Maucker inquired if the city
had not the right to lease the prem
ises it occupies.
You have no power to lease these
premises or any other premises, :"
said Mr.. Gest.
No Intention to Increase Indebtedness.
Mayor Medill stated that it was not
the intention of the city 10 increase
its Indebtedness. The proposition
was to pay for the building out of
the city's saloon license income, and
the rate of taxation would not be in
creased in the least. The 5000 Il
year annually which the city pro-
posed to apply on Il building might
rs well be put in sinking fund
| The city had the money over its in
debtedness and could thus apply it if
1T saw fit. Similar measures had
been carried out at Springfield and
Quincy in our own state, and at
Clinton in Iowa. 1t WAS not new
measure.
The question is one involving an
increase in the city's Indebtedness, =
insisted Mr.. Gcst, land ] say to you
il YOU make this contract | could 90
into court tomorrow and enjoin you.
The question is. you are exceeding
your constitutional limit, your con-
stitutional powers"
That question, said the mayor.
Twas raised on the Twenty-third
street injunction and the court ruled
il untcnable."
Il do not understand the courts
ruling that way" was Mr.. Gest's re-
ply.
Aid. Kennedy here asked for the
city attorneys opinion, but the
mayor held that Mr.. Gcst had not
finished yet. and authorized him to
proceed. Mr.. Gest continued by
saving that he appeared on behalf Of
the people whose names appeared on
the rcmonstrance. He maintained
that in view of the condition of the
people, in view of the city's indebt-
cdness, in view of the proposed loca-
ton of the building. the matter
ought to 20 over for time until the
people had further time to he heard.
and the council further time to con-
slider.
Compliments to First Avenue.
There is not reputable building