Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-03-28
BEFORE THE BOARD.
Action on the Court House Stone Cuttin:
and the Bonds.

and the Bon0s.
The board of supervisors met in
special session yesterday afternoon,
Chairman Sinnet presiding.
A petition from the Journey
men Stonecutters' union, and signed
by over 400 property holders.
was presented at yesterdays meet
ing of the supervisors, asking that
the stone to be used in the new court
house construction, be cut in this
city. Here was chance for Super
visors Oberg and Sinnet to seek to
make it appear that they were at
tempting to redress the wrongs they
have committed to the labor organ
izations by the disregard and casting
aside of all petitions heretofore pre-
scented by the laboring people, and
they tried it. Oberg was so much in
sympathy with the petition that
he addressed the board in behalf
of its passage. and even went farther
by presenting resolution instruct
ing the building committee to en-
body in its advertisement for bids a
clause to the effect that home labor
be employed as far as practicable in
the building of the court house.
Chairman Sinnet called Supervisor
jenkins to the chair, that he might
get cut in the middle of the floor and
declare himself in favor of the stone
cutters petition. He couldn't saw
enough on the question. but at all
events he wanted the petition adopt
ed at once. How suddenly the Sew
enth wardcr's ears have opened to
the demands of the taxpayers!
In giving his opinion in connection
with the adoption OF the petition.
States Attorney Searle said that
Curtis & Gum, like all other archi-
tects. had deposited check for ST.
POO as guarantee that the building
would be constructed for $4,000,
bat in SO doing probably did not take
into consideration that the material
was to be cut here, and the boards
favoring such move now mot hav-
ing done it before) might invalidlte
the obligation. However. Mr.. Searle
was in favor of the work being done
here, even ii it cost more than origi.
nallv estimated. With smile the
states attorney continued, as there
was desire among some of the board
to act upon it now, probably it
would be a good political move to
record themselves, and if the petit
ton be adopted the action so taken
could be very readily changed after
election if the eXigencies of the sit
uation should warrant such course.
Aud the petition was adopted.
For Political Eject.
As far as The ARGUS is concerned,
its position need hardly be reiter-
ated. 1t has contended from the
first that home labor should be pro-
vided for as far as consistent with the
laws in the specifications. 1t is on this
account that, realizing what union
labor did to make the court house
project possible. it has opposed the
special favors shown to S. j. Collins,
who is acknowledged to be the foe of
union labor, and at whose hands the
cause of labor would not naturally
be expected to receive any consider
alton. The board therefore re-
corded its mutual sentiment when it
recognized Collins, and the adoption
of resolutions at this time. notwith-
standing that they are right in SEN
timent, can only be regarded as a
mere subterfuge. and as Mr.. Searle
so aptly and pleasantly intimated, for
mere political effect.
just what Action Was Taken.
At this mornings session of the
county board Supervisor Oberg's reso-
luton providing for the embodiment
in the advertisement bids of clause
to the effect that all stone be cut at
home, was adopted. with an amend
ment, agreeable to the suggestion
made by States Attorney Searle yes
terdav in relation to taking any
steps in the matter, that would he
consistent with Architect Gums
guarantee that the cost of the building
should come within $4,000, which
virtually places it in the hands of
the building committee and superin-
tendent. The building committee
was instructed to ask for two separ-
ate bids, one providing for the cut
ting of the stone at Rock Island, and
another elsewhere. When the bids
come in. they will be sub
jetted to the scrutiny of the COM
mittee's confidential advisor, the SUI
perintendent. .of course"
The bond committee submitted its
report yesterday afternoon, stating
that the money had been received
and deposited with Mitchell O.
Lynde;a a number of county banks
and corporations had been seen with
regard to tasting portions of the
money and paving interest thereon
until such time as it was needed. The
Rock Island Savings bank. Rock ISL
and Plow company. Moline State Saw
ings bank. Moline Peoples Savings
bank. SimonsOn & Schaefer's Port
Byron bank, bank of Port By
ron, Rock Island Peoples National
and the Reynolds bank were pre-
pared to use amounts ranging from
81 $50 to 100000 at per cent. The