Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1900 — WINS BY 6 VOTES. [ARTICLE]

WINS BY 6 VOTES.

The Barkley Tp., Railroad Tax Is Carried By a Slim Majority.—Much 111 Feeling Over Promotor Qifford’s Methods. The second railroad election in Barkley township to vote a subsidy of $8,600 to the Gifford railroad was held Tuesday and resulted in the Gifford tenants and hirelings, aided hy a very fewresident landowners, carrying the election in spite of the hosts of taxpayers against the proposal. Gifford himself was on the ground and it is said promised anything and everything ter gain a vote. Where this wouldn't work the screws were put on and threats made if votes and influence were not forthcoming. The methods used to force the tax on the people against their will were such as have made Gifford hosts of enemies in that township who will henceforth be against him in everything he proposes. They realize that Gifford and Gifford methods are a menace to free institutions, not only in Barkley tp., but in Jasper county as well. The influence he had over the county commissioners was clearly shown to them when they took his side in calling this last election. It is claimed that the smallpox was brought into the township by a family brought there to help carry the railroad tax, and the expense of stamping out the disease to the "taxpayers of Jasper county will probably be about SSOO in addition to the township expense. Realizing what this power and influence is leading to, the great majority of the taxpayers of Barkley will join hands and fight such methods as a matter of self-protection. Below we give the vote at this election and also that of the election held July 17th:

" K\6T PRECINCT. » Oct. Elec. July Elec. For dona Hfci- 131 117 Against .’,7 WBBT FUCUCt. For donation. ........it 4H Against 117 117 It will be seen that there was a loss in the total vote cast in the west precinct, over the July vote, of 5. and a gain in the east precinct. when Gifford is monarch of all he surveys, of 8 votes.