Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-11

plexion to this Terminal company's
project have come to my ears" said
Aid Kennedy, ..but I don't care to
repeat them until have Investigated
their truthfulness. So ! think that
the council should look into the
affair"
''Wby don't you do something
about the Twentieth street pavement
instead Of chewing about this track
matter 90 much ?" asked AID. Dauber.
The property holders up there are
getting tired Of this kind Of business.
They paid for improving that street,
and it is the city's cuty to keep it in
good condition"
care You talking to me. sir?" in
terrupted City Attorney Haas.
I'm talking to the council" re-
sponded the Fourth ward represen-
tative. land to You, too"
Il have explained this matter
several times already" replied the
city attorney. land il any alderman
has not sufficient intelligence to un-
derstand me, Why it is not my fault.
| repeat that l am powerless. The
only thing the city can do is to 60
ahead and improve the street, and
then cue the Rockford Construction
company for the amount. Now do
yo- understand"
mo, DON'T" answered Aid. Dau-
Der.
"Well. it's funny"
"If you would take as much inter.
est in the Twentieth street improve
ment as you do in the railroads,
think it would be better for u.s." said
AID. Dauber.
The city attorney assured the
alderman that he would do his duty
when the time came.
"Well then, we'll have q job for
you." concluded Aid. Dauber.
The track question was finally laid
over until the next meeting. it being
suggested that a special meeting
could be held so some decisive action
could be taken in time to get the
case into the January term Of the
circuit court.
Who Said Tra,ks!
While Aid. Foss' position in re.
ferring again to the much vexed
track question is consistent with his
course in general on the subject 40
far. yet the public will be disposed
to be somewhat amused ut the re-
hearsal of the question, and will be
apt to eonstrue it as opening the
way u the customary ante-election
buncombe. The farcical tormina-
ton of the proceedings OF the past
year when the city had the opportu-
nifty OF its life to adjust the entire
river trout in q manner advantageous
to all concerned, affords o striking
demonstration of the capacity,
as well as disposition OF the
present administration to cope
with matters OF this kind; and the
speeches of Aids. Concannon and
johnson last evening are particu-
larly refreshing just now; delight.
fully 50 is that of Aid. ..Boney" john
son. who last night spoke about per-
severance and firmness in pushing 8
matter of this kind instead Of sneak
ing away like a whipped canine.
The Second warder has q wonder.
full adaptabiiity for piciuring his
own attitude before the council.
1t will be RENE bered when
the levee Improvement reached
the point when all that was needed
was firmuess and consistency on the
part Of the aldermen, "Boney" John
son was the one to drop his ears and
sneak. The characteristic firmness
at critical times or when il Is essen
tial TO the triumph of the city's in
terest against corporations has not
been displayed before in Aid. John
sons makeup. The way to settle
the track rights is the one that will
be OF benefit to the city without I'M
just oppression to the corporation
interests that should te willing to
help the city.