Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-31
TRACKS ARE RESTORED AND
M'CASKR|N'S PLAY IS OVER
and the railroads now operating over
its franchises, offending?

In the instance of the removal of the
telephone poles as consequence of
the long pending dispute between the
city and the Central Union Telephone
company, the mayor acted upon the or
ders of the council, but not until six
months had elapsed, In this case there
was no authority from the council, no
discussion of the matter. Hence the
I realization that is beginning to dawn
upon people ali over the city. that the
one-man band idea with which the city
: has been afflicted since the advent of
, the McCaskrin regime. is getting close
to the danger point as far as public
welfare is concerned.
! The people do not object TO making
the railroads respect their rights and
of living up to the letter of the law
defining those rights, but they are OPP
posed to the spectacle presented in the
exercise of unbalanced judgment
where the ostensible object is to af-
ford subject for self-applause in the
various counties of this congressional
district Such an act as was present
: ed yesterday afternoon up to the time
the court mandate was issued, ap-
! preached much closer 10 the standard
. of socialism than the enforcement of
law. to say nothing of intelligent inter
probation of law If there is any fight
on with the railroads on the river
front, which warrants going to law, say
the people, let it be settled according
TO law. and let the steps be taken not
in repsonse to the varying moods OF
any one man. but by the authority of
the representatives of the people in
the legislative branch of the municipal
government. For if damages result,
that body will be obliged TO provide
the means of raising it from the people
and not the one man who is making a
show of himself at public expense. 1t
is time TO call halt on the McCaskrin
escapades, where the people are vitality
concerned.
Manzer OF stepping; the Depredations.
BY "a writ OF injunction issuing from
Judge w. Fl. Gest the mayors depre-
dations were stopped and the force OF
railway workmen were allowed to pro-
coed with the relaying of the tracks
about 1870 last night In about two
hours the trains were allowed to pass
upon this, the main line.
The manner in which the mayors
notice was served upon the officials OF
the Davenport, Rock Island & North
western Railway company was the
throwing of a campaign document into
the depot. This notice started out in
the form of a legal document and end
ed like a Fourth of July Grafton, and
withal was aptly described by one
oh ,f
the queens English
Claims Rights Forfeited.
In this characteristic document,
which was evidently framed for cam
paign purposes, he sets forth a certain
section of the ordinance relating to
the transfer of privileges to other rail-
way companies, and informs the cor
poration that he has made up his mind
that the rights had been forfeited as
far as it is concerned.
So, acting as mayor, council, chief o.
police, judge and jury and lawyers, in
all about 30 men, in one, he proceeded
to declare the forfeiture TO exist aud to
put it into execution on less than
minutes notice to- the company. In other
words. George Washington McCaskrin,
mayor, ordered George Washington
McCaskrin. chief of police, by order OF
George Washington McCaskrin, com
mon council; through the Interpretation
Of the law by George Washington Nc
Caskrin. judge of the circuit court,
commanding George Washington Nc
Caskrin. sheriff of Rock Island county,
TO destroy forever the property of GER
tain railroads doing business in the
city of Rock Island and duly report
execution of the same to George Wash
ngton McCaskrin, candidate for cen
gress.
lIonkfes With Uncle sum.
What will be the result of the de-
laying OF the United States mails re-
mains to be seen. Train No. "a over
the st. Paul to Freeport was the first
to be delayed. 1t carries a combina-
tion baggage, express and mail car. 1t
backed up and went out on the Rock
Island, switching at Twelfth street.
Train No. 80 over the Burlington was
detoured over the Rock Island bridge,
reaching it's tracks by way of the
Twenty-fourth street switch 1t is due
from the north at 6:55 and was de-
iayed 80 minutes. 1t carries mail
The first train over the relaid rails |
vas train No. 80 over the st. Paul, |
which is due at $3.50. arriving at 9:25. /,
Train No. A on the Burlington is due
TO leave here at 1880. but it was held |
Int!I 9:25. This also is a mail train. |,
About 80 feet of track was torn up |
near the depot, and, according to the
allegations set forth in the bill for in 1,
junction Chief McCaskrin told the gen. !
eral manager of the system that he |
would not tear up any more, but went |
to Eleventh street and |
vanked out about 90 feet of rails there, !
thus cutting off approach to the Ores |
cent bridge. !,
Attorney Disavows Action.
City Attorney Olson this morning |
1iSayOWpd any connection with tho a. |