Rock Island Argus., 1896-09-08
LACKING IN LOGIC.
Mayor knox's Veto of the levee
Ordinance.
HIS POSITION BUT OHILD's PLAY.
says That the Railroad Companies Cannot
Be Assessed and That There are Other
More Deseser wing Matters Entitled to the
Cit3's Attention and Money.

More Deseser wing Matters Entitled to tho
Cit1's Attention and Money.
Mayor knox offered his objections
to the levee improvement ordinance
--"oflicially"-at last. evenings ses-
sion of the city council. The execu-
tive read a list tf his reasons for op-
Posinguthe improvement. in which
be sets himself as the all-wise law
giver Of the city, even regardless of
the city attorney, with reference to
relative proceedings, and says that
there are other Improvements which
should be made first. Then he as
sured the aldermen that he is not
opposed to pubic improvement, and
that it caused him much regret to be
called upon TO put his veto on a mat
ter which had engaged so much
time, work and study from the coun-
ell.
Such a position is only becoming
a child aud is assumed for ef.
feet in one final effort of the mayor
TO illustrate one Of the most needed
and commeudab,e strokes of public
enterprise ever contemplated by the
municipality Of Rock Island. Such
weak explanations are ridiculous aud
in every one Of them the executives
retrogressive spirit and ignorance as
A public servant are conspicuous. He
says in the first place that the city
cannot stand the expense Of the i'm.
provement-in the face Of facts aud
figures provided by the city attorney,
in which he says that Rock Island
would not have TO stand more
than $1,000 to $4,000, an amour,
which could be extended over several
years for payment. Then he says
the hardship on First avenue prop.
erty holders would be too great in
view of the inability cf the city &c
assess the railway companies fol
their paving. These corporation:
have been assessed before AMI they
can be again. If the proper course i,
pursued. Tha.'s what the tax pay.
ers pay city attorney for.
Turns Another Way.
In the next chapter the mayo,
says there are Improvements fal
more necessary for instance the
placing of a reservoir on the bluff
The reservoir idea is all right, too,
but was ever great Improvement
won by the aimless policy of the
mayor? Nothing will be accom-.
Plished il the efforts of a year in
arranging the details Of one matter
are to be knocked in the he'd for {
new scheme. One thing a. time
and that properly done. is the onl
stable rule, as the mayor wa,
taught in the primary department
when he used to run barefoot ant
sell papers. and hence his deduction
is subterfuge rather than logic. Th,
bluffs are up there yet. They viii
remain awhile. The iron or stee
supply has not run out, and ther,
are people who will know how t.
make reservoirs next summer. too
The mayor tied to kill off the leve,
improvement by the Twenty-fourtt
street storm drain. The latter wa:
given precedence. It's going along
all right. So can the First avenu,
Job. but it should not longer be sac.
riticed. The mayor also SAYS tha
there should b, separate ordi
nances for the river front and Firs
avenue improyements-instead o
proceeding as a whole under tn,
name OF levee improvement. H
says its too complicated. The city
attorney. who is supposed to know
few things about law, don't say so
But the mayor has taken law and
Everything on his shoulder that h
might throttle public spirit.
The public. however, has full con
fidence in the council, and trusts tha
tha. confidence will not be shaken
Indeed it is believed the aldermen
will readopt the ordinance in the fac,
of the may or's veto, al the next meet
ing. The ordinance will have to b,
first reconsideret This done it viii
have to be passed by a two-third
vote. Then it becomes law with
out :he mayors signature.
So mote it be.
| River Kipiets.
Tho RnorJman epd Vnrno Suoi,