Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-14


order previous to q vote on the reso-
luton, remarks from States Attor-
ney Searle were asked for. Supervi-
sor Ford objected. but Supervisor
Sinnet believed MIR. Searle should be
heard on the question in view of his
being the legal advisor of the board,
and upon motion the states attor-
ney's views were solicited. Mr..
Searle stated that while he
always had preference, he had
reserved its expression until few
days ago, because of the many kinds
of materials which had been submit
ted for consideration. He scored the
stone men for the interest they had
taken in all the deliberations of
the committee, which should
alone, together with the board,
be guided by what is best
adapted to the countv's preference,
in durability and beauty. Mr..
Searle spoke. not as an attorney
tinctured with money in the interest
of certain stone. but as citizen who
had kept in touch with the court
house question since its incipiency,
and one not influenced in his views by
anything but observation and inves-
LEGATION. Portage stone was superior
in quality and more imposing in
structure and tone with the other
materials to be used in the building,
and prompted by source of pride
in quest of the best. the board should
not consider the difference Of few
thousand dollars and choose Port
age.
Supervisor Ford contradicted Mr..
Searle in the matter of superiority
between Bedford and Portage, aud
attempted to bear out his statement
by illustration by citing Moline
buildings as comparison.
..Mr. Ford interrupted Mr..
Searle, ..may l ask what kind OF
stone you used in your new build
ing?"
"Brick," was the reply.
"But what was used for the trim
mings?"
portage" admitted Ford, who
lost the vein of his argument in pom
dering over an answer, and sat
down.
Supervisors Britton and johnson
made extended talks for Bedford
stone, on the theory that it would
cost less than Portage, and the former
in particular attempted caustic
reference to the city supervi'
sors by maintaining that those
from the country districts did not
have attorneys to 60 into the board
and plead for them, or have them
around at times SO that the super
yisors could not move without
their counsel. 1t was plainly an ain
to catch the sympathy of the country
mem bers of the board, but it brought
Supervisor Sinnet to his feet, who
in retaliation said: Il hurl tina
back into your teeth with defiance a.
a gross insinuation against the Rocl
Island members"
Mr.. Britton modified his state
ment by saying that he only spoke Of
what seemed, and not in the light Of
an absolute allegation.
The Vote.
Thereupon Supervisor. Quayl'
called for the ayes and nays on tn,
Portage stone resolution, which re
suited:
Ayes-Wilson, Armstrong, Gaia
gen, Case, Oberg, Quayle, Rinck
Edgington and Sinnet-9.
Nays-Vinton, Trent, Schoonmak
err, Swank. Pierce, Powell. McMur
ply. Maxwell, Lees, Hasson, George
Ford, Carey, Britton and Johnson
10.
Supervision Ford then offered a
resolution, which carried without ar
aye and nay vote, that Bedford
stone be used, at the contract pric,
of $l13,571. Thus the actual decis
ion on the stone, like some other i'm
portant acts of the board, was de
cided in a manner tending to DISCUS,
the individual ballot.
The figures embodied in the las
resolution are those of &. j. Larkin
who has the lowest bid on Bedford
stone. But Contractor McConochi,
raised the issue that Mr.. Volk's bid
which was the next lowest. would q
below Mr.. Larkin's on the basis o
figuring on the extras for excavat
ion below the 12-foot limit.
A resolution by Supervisor Wilson
to award the contract to G. J. Larkir
was tabled on request of Supervisor:
Oberg, Swank. Trent and Case, an'
the board adjourned until 2 O'Clock
this afternoon to further consider tn,
question of the contractor.
| Larkin the Contractor.
At this afternoons session Super
visor Quayle suggested that the mat
ter of letting the contract for con
struction be deferred pending full
investigation on the question of ex
cavation. But upon Mr.. Larkin'
assurance that his amount would no
exceed the difference between his biz
and Volk's, Supervisor Wilson move'
that the contract be awarded Mr.
Larkin. and it carried unanimously
The matter Of buff or blue Bedfor,
was left for the building committee
to decide.
The board having made a SAVING