Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-10-25
BRIDGE IN FAVOR.
Aldermen Pass the Proposed
Ordinance.
DISCUSSION UPON IT.

and Citizens Express ThsW-
solves With Rsfsrsncs to lt-rhs Lsvss
and Its Dopiotabls Coaditioa Comes In
For . shase-Projsct seems Assured.
The city council had an exceeding
ly animated session last evening.
The Davenport & Rock Island
Bridge and Terminal company's or
dinance was the subject under con-
and in the flow of elo-
quence that followed its final pre-
councilmen We'd with each
other and with private citizens in
themselves relative to the
measures. The preponderance of
sentiment-in fact the unanimity of
sentiment-was entirely favorable to
the project. the only point at which
there was the least hesitation being
as to how far the track right to be
vested would affect the levee. On
this the discussion arose and ran
high preliminary to the vote upon
the ordinance as a whole, nor were
the remarks confined to the alder
men. Representative citizens gave
expressions to their thoughts. States
Attorney Searle was heard and City
Attorney Haas threw off the cloak Of
Office and gave free play to his views
on vested and assumed rights of cor
porations and their bearings on the
situation, and the city in general.
1t was altogether one of the most in
teresting sessions the council has
ever held and much it is believed will
be accomplished for public good by
the unreserved. unburdening Of
thought and feeling, in many in
stances. as it developed long pent up.
Before the council went into the
bridge terminal franchise. City At
torney Hass reported the proceed
ings in the county court with refer
ence to the alley paving matter,
stating that the assessment roll had
been confirmed, all interposing mo-
tions had been overruled, and while
an appeal had been prayed for, there
was nothing to interfere with the
city going ahead with the work.
Aid. kennedy thereupon moved that
the contractor, H. L. Wheelan, be
instructed to proceed with the paw
ing. The motion was unanimously
adopted.
The Ordinance Road Again.
The mayor then instructed the
city clerk to read the ordinance re-
lating to the lower bridge and ter
minal company, which had beer
somewhat modified since the last
reading by the striking out of suct
sections as were in conflict with the
combining of the track privileges to q
main double track along the rivel
from Seventh street east to Eigh
teenth.
After the reading of the ordinance
Aid. Schneider spoke of the presence
OF q number of citizens and ex
pressed desire to hear from them
It was suggested that States. Attor
ney Searle be heard. Mr.. Scarf,
stated that as far as he could Judge
of the ordinance as read, the right.
OF the city were well guarded both
as to the present and the future
He thought the new bridge desira
BILE and he believed the ordinanc,
sound in every particular.
Fred Hass was invited to speak
but said he had nothing to say then
The Logging Interests.
Add Kennedy moved the passage
Of the ordinance. Mayor Knox called
the attention of the council to the
fact that every precaution should be
taken to protect the logging in
terests of the lower mills and thai
the aldermen should have a cleal
understanding that their action
should not abet q structure thai
might in any way act as an obstacl,
to the towing of logs to the lower
end saw mills. F. A. Blair explained
that previous to the granting OF the
franchise. by the government, Col
Mackenzie had given the matter con
sideration aud had called . confer.
ence of pilots with reference to thi!
particular thing, it being agreed
that the bridge company should bt
required to construct q sheer boon
to aid in the steering of RATS through
the bridge. and that the compan,
had agreed to put in such a sheei
boom at cost Of SIS, 900, MIR. Blail
believed that this provision FULLY
contemplated the protection of rivel
traffic and the noninterruption of tn,
same by reason of the construction
OF the proposed bridge.
Another Precautlou.
Mr.. Searle called the attention o.
the aldermen to the clause which
vested in the company securing tn,
rights specified absolute control o.
the bridge to the exclusion of Other
corporations, and mentioned how
Jay Gould by the operation of SINH
lar advantages at st. Louis had ma
nipulated the entire commerce of tn,
great southwest. Mr.. Searle die
not, he said, intend to impute tina
such would be the case here, but b,
thought the aldermen should TAX,
into consideration any possible con
tingency that might arise giving t.
any corporation such excl1siv,
rights as would operate to the detri
mcnt of other roads coming into tn,
city.