Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1915 — Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 [ADVERTISEMENT]

The Subsidy Not a Foe of Progress. Editors Republican: Having been requested to write my views on the subsidy question, I will try to state a few facts as I see them. The early pioneers Who crossed what was then called the “plains” o£ “Great American Desert," had no idea that this region would ever be occupied by white men during their lifetime. It was in possession of the redman, who had few wants, much liberty and paid no taxes. Our government at that time had little money but much land. And without the liberal policy of the government land grants, does any thoughtful man believe that region would be in as good condition as it is today? Remember, that in spite of the land grants, that Jay Cooke and Company went broke before the Northern Pacific was completed. “A tree is known by its fruit.” There is Kansas. After haying withstood the successive scourging® of civil war, drouths, hot winds, and grasshoppers, it is still on the map with her large population, great grain fields and a million acres of alfalfa. In her distress the railroads carried contributions free of charge. Her inhabitants were of the right sort, and were not quitters. Now I met one man who lived in the west, wiho said the land subsidy was wrong. In my experience I have met two men of fair intelligence who said they did 1 not believe the earth was round. Now as to the subsidy for the Monon, that election occurred in 1877. Farch products were low in price. In 1878 hogs were sold at $2.25 per cwt., delivered in Rensselaer. Yet the road was; built, the subsidy paid and no foreclosures resulted. Newton township’s inhabitants then were not so numerous as now. They were not quitters. Why should we be quitters now? If some man or company will build us a railroad or interurban without hny effort on our part we will gladly accept it without a struggle. Now, if anyone has a better plan than the subsidy method, tell us about it. We listen. Yours truly, O. C. HALSTEAD. Sunday was the 74th birthday of William Muhlollen, of Lafayette, and also the birthday of Joseph Norman, of near Fair Oaks. The event was celebrated by a big dinner at which about sixty neighbors and friends partook.