Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-26
TRYING TO KILL IT.
Mayor Knox Leading Opposi-
ton to the levee.
BUT THE APPROPRIATION STANDS.


umphs After q Vigorous Fight In the
Face Of an Attempt to Cast 1t
Aside.
Failure would have overtaken the
much agitated and much desired
river front improvement at the city
council chamber but for the vigorous
fight on the part of q couple of alder
men with the interests of the public
at heart and consequently favorable
to the project. The report of the
committee appointed to devise ways
and means of raising money to con-
duct next years affairs excluded any
reference to the levee. That 1000
appropriation recently made was
cast aside. But this occasioned an
objection and once more the question
trIumphed in the face of defeat. This
all happened last evening.
While the council was in commit
tee OF the whole with Aid. Nelson in
the chair to reconsider the annual
appropriations there were some
lively discussions. In due time the
river front improvement question
came up. Adj. Tindall said that the
people in the central section of the
city were not in favor of it. II they
wanted this improvement, he fur
Their commended, it would seem to him
that the aldermen OF the ward inter-
ested would certainly be called upon
to push the matter. Aid Maucker,
who has stuck by the people bravely
in this fight. replied that he had
been asked by many property
holders along First avenue to push
the improvement. ..And it is not
likely that anyone would seek the
support of an alderman on 4 measure
he had recorded himself as op-
posed to without regard to the
feeling of his constituents, conclud-
ed Aid. Maucker.
And Mayor Knox let no opening
pass wherein he could register a
knock against any progressive move
ment in the levee improvement mat
ter. He actually pleaded with the
aldermen in couple OF instances, to
lett drop for awhile. While the mayor
has RICH; to an opinion as well
as any other officer, he should not
let his personal feelings get the up
per hand of him, rs it is very appar-
ent is the case on the levee question.
Carries Once More.
Finally the question as to whether
$4,000 be appropriated for the
levee improvement was put to vote
which resulted in another victory
3 to 8.
This much settled, Aid. Fender in
quired if it would not be wise to
have meeting of the general com
mittee in charge Of the First avenue
questions and bring the matter to a
focus. Aid. Maucker said it was es.
timated that it would cost about
so, 600 to make the proposed I'M.
provements. Each of the railroad
comprehensive X. /. & p, c., u. &
q. and Terminal company-had been
counted upon for and appropriation
of $1,000 apiece and the Ferry COM
pany $4,000. which with the city's
appropriation of $4,000 would make
enough. Then Aid. Fender sug.
gested a meeting of the general COM
mittee for tonight. Mayor KNOX
said he was agreeable. He asked the
city attorney, who is one of the COM
mittee, if he could he in attendance.
mo" he replied with an air of
frankness, Il have other matters to
attend to which will occupy my time
for ut least:a week" So that's the
way the matter stands now.
The committee also recommended
that the appropriations for water
fourth street storm drain he also ex.
Guided. City Attorney Haas was
asked with reference to the storm
drain. He replied: THE expense
OF this improvement will exceed
$4,000. The commissioners have
assessed $4,000 against the city.
A number of people have protested
against the amount assessed on their
property for the improvement and
it is not unlikely that some of them
will carry the matter into the courts.
In this event it is probable that
their assessments will be reduced
aud the amount added to the citv's
share. would recommend that
no provision be made for this i'm
provement in the appropriations.
If the storm drain is gone ahead
with the city can declare an emer-
gency. which justifies the borrowing
OF money. which our present condi-
ton will not permit in the absence
OF such a circumstance" So these
appropriations were not considered.
Nine hundred dollars was appropri-
ated for the Strengthening of Sew
enth avenue after lengthy discus
sion. The $4,000 for the ievee ap-
preparation was made up by cutting
down the street and sidewalk ac-
counts 900 apiece.
His Honor Insulted.
Mayor Knox is easily worried; he
is very touchy. The city is indebted
to the Rock Island Savings bank.
The other day President j. NJ. Blu
ford, Of the bank, had an interview
with the chief executive with refer
ence TO liquida.ing the debt. IL
don't believe in dealing with men in
the manner which Mr.. Buford treated