Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-08-18
LEVEE is CERTAIN.
Proceedings For the Improve
ment Begun.
COUNCIL ADOPTS THE ORDINANCE,
Long and Spi,ited WraoEIe Over the
Oaestion Finally Gives Way to the Pre-
vaiiiAE Disposition to Abolish the First
Avenue Eye Sore.


vaniAE Disposition to Abolish the First
Avenue Eye Sore.
For three hours the aldermen DIS
cussed the levee Improvement at last
evenings semi-monthly session of
the city council. There were wran-
giles and long-winded arguments, but
all these were finally given way to
the prevailing disposition to go ahead
with the improvement at once. Then
the ordinance was adopted, the grade
ordinance having been previously
submitted aud approved. and the
city attorney instructed to proceed
10 court. 1t is estimated that 'he
improvement will cost $35, 585.
Most OF the burden will be sus-
tanned by properly benefited. so
that the city's share will be very
small indeed. Nov let the council
push the matter right ahead. When
ever any Of the city dad- feel dis
couraged over the success of the pro-
ject they only have to 60 down and
look at the levee. That's a tonic
that is guaranteed to revive energy.
Aid. Maucker presented the ordi-
dance repeating the ordinance form
erly passed providing for the i'm
proveuent. 1t was passed. Aid.
Maucker then submitted the grade
ordinance and explained that the
Chicago. Burlington II Quincy and
Rock Island & Peoris companies had
agreed to remove their stub tracks
on First avenue. thereby allowing
room for one Of the Terminal COM
pany's. tracks without altering the
present descent to the river. He
also recommended that in order that
the ascent be made no sleeper than
now, The new corporations north
ern track be slightly below the south
ern one--a plan which the company
had agreed to in the report Of Engi-
neer G. +. Loweth to the council.
Aid. schreIner's Opinion.
Aid. Schreiner differed with others
of the council and said that there
was such change in the grade from
the original as would involve an ad-
ditional expense to the city. There
was warm argument between Aids.
Mauck-r and Schreiner on this ques-
ton. during which personalities
were indulg.d in. Aid. Mauck er
sought to illustrate his point of view
by using map of the city as black
board.
You may know how to sell baking
powder, but yon know nothing about
grades. Well only laugh at you
when you get through" said Aid.
| Schreiner.
| Fools always laugh at intelligent
people" came the pert reply.
Then Aid. Maucker drew out his
idea. Aid. Schveiner asked the
mayor if he could draw the matter
out on tho wall according to his
idea. He was given the permission.
He took the city attorneys cane and
standing before the mayors desk be-
gan ridicu!ing Aid. Maucker's ideas
Finally he turned to the audi
encc and continued his talk, gesticu-
Iating with the cane He was told
to behave himself by the mayor, who
finally had to tell the alderman that
he was getting tired of his grand
stand work. Aid. Schreiner re-
fused to illustrate and returned to
his seat.
The grade ordinance was then
unanimously adopted. Then the
passage of the ordinance for the i'm
provement came up. Here another
extended argument followed between
Aids. Maucker and Schreioer, the lat
ter entering into lengthy rehearsal
of details pertaining to the levee i'm
provement question. He was an
swered in short and pointed man.
ner, Aid. Maucker saving that he
was ashamed OF any man elected to
represent an INTEL gent constituency
to argue so nonsensicaily.
| A motion of Aid. Schreiner to Law
the ordinance over was defeated 9 to
3-1indall. Schreiner and Winter.
The ordinance was then adopted as
read, Schreiuer ana Tindall voting
negatively. a recess of five min
utes was taken TO reestimate the
cost OF the Improvement. The com.
mittcc. Aids. Nelson. Maucker and
Gall. reported the estimate at $50
$50. The estimate was adopted aud
the city attorney was instructed to
proceed in court for the assessmen,
of property to raise the cost of the
improvement.
| Another Setto.
During the discussion of how the
city should proceed with reference tc
aba,ipg a nuisance on Third avenue
ad jaceut to the Young Mems Chris
tian Association building there was
a lively tilt between the mayor and
Aid. Schreiuer. The mayor
told the Second ward representative
that he had already spoken thre,
times on the subject.
II beg your pardon. but / have
only spoken once" came the answer
II say you have been heard three
times. guess l can count" replied
the mayor.
But l say / have only spoken
once"
"You have not"
lit is evident you have not beer
listening. You don't go snubbing
me all the time"