Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1900 — The Barkley Tp., R. R. Tax Matter. [ARTICLE]

The Barkley Tp., R. R. Tax Matter.

A meeting was held here Thursday by prominent Barkley tp., taxpayers to determine what action to take on the Gifford railroad election matter, and another ineeting was held yesterday, but too late for us to announce the action taken. It is reported that two or throe people from Rensselaer went up in Barkley and voted for this tax, also that several votes were cast in favor of it by people who live in Walker tp.' As the tax only carried by a majority of 6, it is not necessary to find but a few illegal votes to knock out the election, and it was about determined at Thursday’s meeting to file notice of contest. From all reports this election and the means dbiployed to carry it is the most damnable outrage ever perpetrated upon a free people. As the tax cannot be levied until 1901 and 1902 and then be collected one and two years la’er, or 1902 and 1903, and the Gifford slaves who are coming and going like the birds of the air, with the seasons, probably not one man in ten who voted for the tax will be in the township when the same is collected. The best men in the township are behind the movement to knock out the election, and it is altogether probable that Mr. Gifford and his cohorts will have yet another tussle before the freeholders of Barkley open up their pocket-books and allow him to help himself to the contents.