Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1912 — Saltation Army Is Going to Pay Rensselaer a Visit. [ARTICLE]

Saltation Army Is Going to Pay Rensselaer a Visit.

A section l of the Salvation Army is coming from Chicago to Rensselaer to spend a month in conducting meet ings and trying to do some good in the community. Jay Ts. Stockton, who is always willing; to do his part-to, support any good movement, 'has generotfsly permitted them to use the Washington street store room which was once the Roth Bros.’ meat market and has donated the room for their use. He has gone farther than that and will provide free of charge living quarters for the visiting workers; It is understood that there are five persons in the party and that they will arrive here within a few .lay S. and remain for a month or longer if they receive sufficient encouragement The Republican has the kindliest feeling toward the Salvation Army and realizes that it accomplishes a great amount of good in the cities" and we have no doubt it will accomplish some good here.. But we dQ not believe that Rensselaer is especially in need of their services at this time and we feel certain that the town is in no'shape to support them of a system of for the benefit of Chicago charities. We say this in a spirit of friendliness and believe we are expressing tbe opinion of almost all phurch people and of all who have been contributing liberally to the support of churches and other good causes. Within the past year the Methodist church has been enlarged and remodeled and its field of opportunity and accomplishment has been greatly extended. The Christian church has within the same time secured means to discharge its church debt and the Presbyterian church has taken care of a number of charitable propositions that show a commendable philanthropy- cm the part of its members. The three churches held a Joiht meeting and two of the churches held separate meetings, while all have done a great amount of local charitable work and taken care of our local needs splendidly besides contributing -extensively to foreign charities. The Baptist church has been having a big struggle and has ail the load on its shoulders it can stand to provide for 'its own needs. During the past few years one church has failed in the community because there were not enough people to keep all the church organizations going. In addition to this fact, there have been a number of charities that have been met loyally by our good people, while at least half a dozen solicitors from Chicago and Indianapolis have canvassed the' town: within toe-past year for aid and we believe all haye met cheerful and generous response. But our givihg must be rationally dbne and It is doubtful if there is any need at this time of these visitors, especially if their coming signalizes an effort to secure all the money they can for Chicago charities. The writer has long been of the opinion that the small communities are doing much more proportionately for the city needs than are the cities themselves. Solicitors come here to get money to provide for play parks In the cites for the children, when there IS not a place in Rensselaer where .boys can congregate for a game of ball and be within a half mile at the homes of most; Colored men come here for contributions to support their plans of education, Salvation Army solicitors of twoor three branches come her?twice or three times a year, Captain Hansen, of the American army, makes his annual Christmas trip and aid is-asked for hospitals and many other things. At this time tbe contingent fund of the state of Indiana, which is placed in the hands of the governor to be ex-, pended for things which seem to him to need immediate aid, is being expended for providing for the hospital eare of Indianapolis sick. Governor Marshall stated in an interview in the News that he did not know whether he was expending the money according to the strict letter of the law. Did anyone ever hear of money •being secured from tbe state’s contingent fond to be expended in the care of Rensselaer or Jasper county indigent invalids. It is our belief that tbe small cities and towns are doing more than their share to the support of charities In the big cities when their aid coaid be used by local churches and toward local charities that causes us to say that we do not believe this movement should be supported in a financial way. We carry the largest line of up-to-date clothing in the city. Plain and self-etripe serge* fancy weaves in worsteds sad cashmeres and the latest thing In novelties. Be sure and see oar line before yoa bay, ROWLES & PARKER,