Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 174, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1915 — CITIZENS ENDORSE ANOTHER ELECTION [ARTICLE]

CITIZENS ENDORSE ANOTHER ELECTION

Well-Attended Gathering' at Court House Suggests Election on Basis of IZi per cent.

Sixty-three citizens gathered the court* house Friday evening to discuss the proposition of making another attempt to vote aid to the proposed Lafayette & Northwestern Railroad Co., and the meeting was quite enthusiastic, 'being addressed by Frank Foltz, whose retirement from the practice of law some time ago has not lessened his power of effective argument and oratory.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Spitler, who was chosen chairman. George H. Healey was chosen secretary and Mr. Spitler made astatement of the object and reviewed the proceedings of the meeting that was held the day before, when several gentlemen who are interested in the construction of the road were present. In another place The Republican has something to say about these gentlemen and the cause of their interest, just to satisfy The Democrat or any who might be moved by its style of bickering that every person who is interested in progressive movements is not a grafter and that so far as the voting of a subsidy is concerned there can absolutely be no graft and that not a cent of the money thus provided can ever get into the hands or pockets of the promoters.' After Mr. Spitler had pointed out the importance of the road to this city he asked for a general discussion and Dr. Kresler asked if it was a fact that in some other townships the tax voted had been less than 2 per cent. The information was furnished that in Princeton township and the town of Wolcott the tax was on the basis of 1% per cent. It was stated that this had been discussed with the promoters and that they had said that Wolcott citizens had stated that they would make up the difference by the purchase of stock or bonds. The promoters had met this objection at a previous time by saying that since Rensselaer would beyond much doubt be the most benefited by the construction of the road the 2 per cent was not unreasonable here.

Editor Healey suggested that the matter of the per cent was wholly within the power of the voters and that any proposition could be made to the promoters that those present at the meeting wished to help. Frank Foltz then moved to submit to the railroad people a proposition that an election be called to vote a tax of IYa per cent and if this met the approval of the company that a petition be circulated for another gleotion. The motion was seconded and carried without a dissenting voice after a brief argument in which Mr. Foltz effectively pointed out the importance of securing this railroad even though the 2 per cent tax was necessary. He said that so far as Rensselaer and Marion township are concerned they could better afford to pay the 2 per cent than some of the other places could afford to vote 1 per cent or even a half per cent and he hoped that Rensselaer and Marion township people would awake to a full knowledge of what a railroad will mean for us and give their support to the proposition when it comes up gain for election. Mr. Foltz spoke of the improvements of recent years, the new court house, the churches, the school buildings, the Streets, roads and bridges and said that they had cost a vast amount of money hut that they were worth the cost and thait he railroad would prove prove just as valuable or even more so in developing our city and surrounding country. Mr. Foltz spoke of the false charges that the promoters would get the money voted as a. subsidy and made it clear that the money would never have to be paid unless the road was built, equipped and put into operation. . It was also made plain that if a subsidy is voted it can not be placed on the tax duplicate until next June and collected in two installments, half in 1917 and half in 1918. Those who have opposed the subsidy by every manner of antagonism have tried to convey the impression to some that the 2 per cent tax was to he a permanent annual tax, to others that it was to be paid the first installment in 1916, and to others that the tax would be turned over to the promoters. There was same further discussion and no one expressed themselves opposed to the proposition and it was stated that many who had voted against the subsidy on the 14th did so because they weer opposed to the route chosen and because of false impressions secured from prejudiced The proposition of a route through Rensselaer was discussed and it seems to meet the general demand that the company pass directly through the maiin part of the city. The route considered most favorable is to come north on College Avenue to Washington street, thence east to the Ma-

keever hotel and north to Vine street and west to Mt. Ayr. This would he fair to all business interests and meet the requirements of St. Joseph's college, mean the most to businessmen and he the greatest convenience .to all classes of travelers and especially to

country people and people from other towns who come here to market produce and to shop. The action of the meeting proposing to get behind the plan to vote a tax of 1% per cent was conveyed to the railroad promoters and upon their action will depend tire plan for circulating another petition and asking another election.