Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-09-18

cities of the west are subject during
the summer and fall months.
Security OF Location.
BY reference to the accompanying
map it will be observed that the island
of Rock Island !; most eIigibly located
as to security frO;a Instruction or
foreign attack. Surrounded by a pop
ulation which is noted for its intell-
geDce, energy and loyalty, mobs which
so frequently arise in our larger cities
endangering the lives aud property
Of citizens would never be originated
here. In times of great excitement,
when the wild passions of men cannot
EASILY be restrained. an armory or ar
senal containing large deposits of in
struments of warfare. is usually the
jirst object to which the mob directs
its attention. And as TO foreign at
tack, 10 fear need ever be apprehend-
ed. The distance from Chicago, the
nearest point foreign foe can pos
sibly reach, is 1S1 miles In the pres
ent complicated condition of our do
nestle and foreign relations the Sc
curity of location is a subject which
will doubtless receive. as it deserves
to be, the most careful attention of
congress III locating the armory
Your memoralists respectfully submit
that no one consideration surmounts
his in magnitude.
Conclusion.
In connection with the advantages
which we think belong to Rock IslanI
| IS site for an armory because of its
safety during foreign wars ana inter
| lal rebellion, its position as a central
| ,oint for the west and rapidly increas
ing population of the northwest,
should receive attention. By refer
ence to the map hereto attached, It
will be seen that Rock Island is in the
very heart of the northwest, both us
| to its geographical position and pop.
| ulation. Taking it Crock Islandp IS
a center and sweeping circle around
it. and we take in the whole OF Indiana
with "a population of 100000 Illinois
| 1,700,Q00: Missouri. 100000: Wiscon
sin, 500, 600; Iowa, GS0,G00; Minnesota
| 10000; the western half of Michigan
100000, and nearly the entire settled
Iportions of Kansas and Nebraska
100000. Thus it will be perceived, that
it is the geographical center for eight
states and one territory. already con
ltaining over six millions of people and
rapidly increasing. On the direct
lrOute from New York to Californi;
land Oregon via Council Bluffs. Oman;
City and Fort Kearney. which has bee:
selected as the shortest and best one
practicable by the thousands who dur
ing the last II years have sough
homes upon the Pacific coast, tn,
route over which the great overlan'
ldaily mail for California now travels
land by which the telegraphic wire
lare laid which brings the Atlantic an'
Pacific together: the only point 81
the upper Mississippi. where by red
son of the railroad bridge, the inter
, Eruption of transit either by the form:
ton in the fall or the breaking up q
the ice in the spring. is avoided.
i. These facts taken in connection
, with its facilities for transportatio
: and manufacturing the cheapness
| abundance and accessibility of motiv
power and the materials essential i
the construction of the works and til
T manufacture of arms. the price, suppl
and skill of labor the cheapness ,
: living. the healthfulness, spaciOusnes
t and general eligibility of the site-it
being owned by the government an
| Preserved for public use-presents