Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-02

etc
Now II the furniture contractor
another TO supply the furniture. an
had made n price Of so much each for
the chairs. tables. etc. II would be
difficult 10 overcharge the state with
out the fact becoming known. So II
was agreed that all furniture would
be purchased by the cubic foot. II II
was an ordinary chair that was TO be
bought. the chair would be placed in
square box and the state would be
charged for II at so much cubic foot.
The people OF course did not know of
this scheme at the time. and IL did no.
become public until two years later
when the politician-contractors were
placed on trial. and then IL developed
that an ordinary chair cost $1,000 or
50 900. and that the great heavy chan
de-iers weighing hundreds and hun
drcds OF pounds. and based with lead.
had been paid for at the price of
sterling silver. But here in Moline
for every dollar you have spent in the
erection OF this fine building. YOU have
one dollars worth OF city hall.
Permit me to take advantage OF
this opportunity 10 say that the people
OF this city have certainly been very
good 10 me. and that ] appreciate IL
with all my heart. and also that il Is
the ambition OF my life TO show my
appreciation TO the people OF this com.
munity and hope TO be able 70 40
something important and worth while
in the way OF building up this COM
munity. / have every reason to be
lIeve this opportunity presents itself
at the Rock Island arsenal. and that
ultimately ii will be much larger than
II is and employing many more men
than IL Is. To this end I pledge every
possible ounce OF my energy and every
possible moment OF my time"
Appeals to Civic Pride.
City Attorney James NJ. Johnston
10 lowed the congressman. speaking
OF American Citizenship" His adj
dress was an appeal for greater civic
ride He reviewed the history oil
governments which have always taken
q course OF development and maximum
prosperity followed by the gradual De
cline Of patriotism and civic pride.
and eventually ending in decay. The
speakers appeal was for an enduring
2 unicipal state which viii prolong
Moline's reign OF glory.
T. b. Knox was the first OF the form
eT mayors to be heard. His remarks
we're OF humorous nature. lie saiu
he came TO Moline from Rock Is and
30 years ago and had never been
sorry fo- the change. Some of his re-
marks were construed as n reflection
on the city OF his nativity and Com /
missioner Jonas Bear interrupted 10
champion the county seat AID to urge
that the fence between the two cities /
be taken down.
FaVors Union Of Cities.
Ex-Mayor Andrew Olson took his !
cue from Mr.. Bears remarks and in I
his address. which followed that of Mr. !
Knox he warmly advocated a union /
no; only OF Rock Island and Moline. |
but OF East Moline and Silvis also.
Captain w. G. Bennett was the last /
speaker He was mayor in 1898 and /
1894 and prior to that time served four /
terms as alderman. He contrasted /
conditions in the old building with /
those under which the present admin /
istration will work in the new quar-
tiers, ending by congratulating the I.
city on its magnificent new municipal /
quarters.
is Imposing Structure.
The new city hall cost. all told. /,
S167.339. II is two stories in height
and the material Is Bedford cut stone 1
The exterior is imposing. without the I
ornamentation being overdone.
One entering the building by the I
main door on Sixteenth street finds .
himself in the great main hallway .
This has marble flooring and pilasters I
and castings of the same material. /
This occupies the central part of the 4
building and at the back the big stair
way goes up from IL. The hall Is
lighted by n great bronze hanging
with opalescent glass hid
ing the globes. The stair rail is OF
brass with wrought iron banisters. To
the right at the front OF the hall IS
the entrance TO the Office of the com