Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1883 — AN OPEN LETTER. [ARTICLE]

AN OPEN LETTER.

Rensselaeb, Imp.. July 25,1883. To the Votebs ov Mabiom Township: On August Ist, 1888, we, by ballot, express our views on a very important question. The following proposi tion is definitely and authoritatively made to us by the Chicago & Atlantic RR manager: “If your people want a railroad and will get the right of way and vote the tax, the money to build the road will bo raised.” L'he local company, In which the writer is one of eleven directors, is asking us to avail ourselves of tne proffered railway. The aid asked by taxation in this county is as follows; Marian $17,000; Hanging Grove S4OOO, asd Newton township ss,ooo—in all $26,000 The building of the road from Rochester to Gilman will cost s2,ooo,ooo—more than eighty times the amount of aid asked from our count-. Wjtn th aid the road will probably be built, and without it the road will probably not be built. The C. & A- has a completed road to <. hieago and desires a St. Louis branch. Our co-operation is asked on easy terms. Our route will not be pitched upon, and the railroad built in opposition to our wishes. We are not on a direct line, and without effort on our part the opportunity will pass and n >thing will be done. I honestly believe the project will make for our good, and each voter should judge it by pertinent evidence. Bet naught down in malice, but judge the matter on strict merit. The railway, if built without aid, will be located to suit the convenience of those who pay. If we vote ths aid, we dictate the place, and the man ner of construction. Our aid is so conditioned. The amount asked cannot bo raised without the voters, by a majority, demand a tax.— The members of the local company servo free of charge, and from diligent inquiry I can state positively that the amount cannot be raised by voluntary subscr pticn in this county. Our newspapers both favor the tax, and have presented the argument of the question fully to our minds. I have, to the best of my humble abill ty, so drafted the petition and order that we will not be subject to vexatious delays attending the levy and eellection of the tax if it is voted. The RR. must be commenced before August Ist, 1884. to secure any part of the tax, if voted. The entire work must be completed before one cent of the money raised by taxation can be demanded.

This project I regard as a feasible one. and the 616 voters iu tais township ought to second the effort to secure the building ■ f the road. No money can be secured for building this line of railway except on the assurance of a clear right of way and friendly aid. Vote a ticket on which are printed the words “Fpr the Appropriation,” and your public spirit will be com-, mended. If we fail to secure the road after a fayerable vote we are in good condition to take up something better, and of surer promise than we find it. The poor man has the same right to vote as his wealthy neighbor. The laborer is equal at the polls with the canitalist. The farmer, God's noble man, carries the same weight of ballot as the moneyed speculator. The manual and mental toilers and the men of leisure meet on the plain of absolute equality. Tne law permits the vote and it is right. I shall be happy, if i ach vqter acts on the basis of reason and his best sense, to await the result. This election should in its results present a true picture of our present and future views regarding public improvements. Let no one vote under the influence of passion and unfounded prejudice. Let us study the problem and bring in our verdict.— No harm can flow from a favorable vote if the road is built. Those high in authority and ability say: “If the people aid, the road will be built, otherwise it will not be built.” This is the question. I believe the local company are making an honest effort to secure the road, and that the investment will pay us all now, and for all future time. My life has been your study for the last twenty years, and serving as direetor, without pecuniary reward or the hope thereof, I desire that we may at least confide in each others honest purposes.— Some of my neighbors are opposed to railroads an 1 a different opinion is not expected from them now.— Others believe] la|the utility and de sirability of having the quicuest and cheapest common carriers. Our votes will tell which class is in a majority in this township.

S. P. THOMPSON.