Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-03-10
THOUGHT 1T OVER.
Board Of Supervisors and the
Court House Program.
HAeGLED OVER THE EXPENSE PART

roundings, which the energy OF the
citiz ans OF Rock Island had made it
possible for them to enjoy, yesterday
afternoon. and despu,ed bill Of 500
which the subcommittee of the joint
committee to which the board as
signed the duty, had asked to be al
lowed for the new court house ded.
icatory ceremonies. The report of
the committee, heretofore published.
providing for the manner of conduct
ing the exercises was under consid-
Grafton. Supervisor Gripp objected
to the 500 estimate for the expenses
of the occasion, and moved that it
be stricken out. This led to the dis
cussion. Supervisors Thornton,
Quayle. Case and Sinnet Upheld the
committees report, and each spoke
OF the estimate as reasonable and
moderare. Then other statesmen
spoke. Supervisor Pie ce moved
that . committee of the board be ap-
pointed to act with the general COM
mittee and see that the money was
spent right. This suggestion elic-
tied remarks from Messrs. William
Jackson and w. j. Entriken, of the
committee on preparation of the pro-
gram, both Of which gentlemen spoke
pointedly Of the committees Efforts
to prepare an acceptable plan. and
Mr.. jackson reminded the board
that this committee was not present
asking any favors of the the board,
but had spent its time in attempt
ing to discharge an honor which had
been conferred upon it. If the
beard adopted Supervisor Pierce's
resolution 1t could not be regarded
as other than insult to the commit
tee. which would lay down its work
then and there and retire. Super
visor Pierce insisted upon his reso-
luton. but Chairman Carey declared
it out of order. There we're SUPER
visors who wanted to know every.
thing in detail about the committees
plans. and one bright statesman had
the entire bill figured out without
knowing what 1t was for. Super-
visor Betty finally moved that the
bill be guaranteed and that each
supervisor pay a proportion out Of
his own pocket. Supervisor Britton
jocularlv referred to the ante-elec-
tion antics of the rural members.
The board was in q quandary, and
finally on the request Of three mem
bers the matter went over until this
morning.
After sleeping over the matter, the
board adopted the report this morn
ing unanimously. as PRESENTED by
the committee. allowing an amount
not to exceed $1oO for expenses.
where Vain Ideas Pr. vail.
1t is probable that no citiz IN has
had his patience tried to the fullest
extent until he has gone before the
Rock Island county board OF supervi-
sors on an erraod Of some sort The
board members sit as autocrats of
all on earth that comes within
the range OF their vision and reason.
The committee yesterday afternoon
was received as if it had been asking
a great favor, which it would be a
decided condescensiou to concede,
and it looked at one time
as if the visitors might be
dismissed from the room with q
sound rebuke for having invaded the
boards august presence without the
proper countersign. The mem bers
of the board who were SO delicate
about allowing the $500 yesterday to
the committee created by its own
act. have the wrong idea Of economy,
and they do wrong to their consti.
tuency anywhere in the county by
attempting to create the impression
that such niggardly ideas are upheld.
Their course was that of mock econ.
omy and lack Of conception of ordi-
nary duty.
The true way to economy may be
pointed out to the board as lying in
the curtailment OF the precious time
wasted in haggling over matters
such as came up yesterday, instead
Of meeting and disposing of business
promptly when it comes up.
Other Doings.
The board created the position OF
assistant jsnitor yesterday afternoon.
There were IL applicants for the job
when the board convened this morn.
ing: Otto Nelson, Frank Skinner,
William Montgomery, William Fred
erick, NJ. j. Mulcahey, George Ed.
gar. w. H. Berry. John Condor,
Theodore Nelson. George Corken,
Rock Island; C. A. jacobson and Gus
Blomgren, Moline. The Moline men
withdrew their names when the
board fixed the assistant janitor' 8
salary at t25 per month. Seven bal
lots were taken, when the position
was given to George Edgar. he hav-
ing received IA votes to IL for Frank
Skinner. The assistant jsnitor's du-
ties viii consist Of running the ele-
vator and helping the janitor.
A memorial from 4. A. Smith, Of
Moline. was read before the board
this morning setting forth that
Mayor Swensson, of that city, had
failed to pay $1144. due in taxes on
. piece Of property for 1895, and
asking that steps be taken to recover
the amount. 1t is further stated
that Mayor Swensson was assistant
tax collector at the time the $l1.44