Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1901 — "The Brick Are All Right." [ARTICLE]

"The Brick Are All Right."

Such is the verdict of the three members of the street committee of the city councj/Vind;- we are informed, two of the county commissioners, who accompanied the junketing party to Brazil and other points at the expense of the brick manufacturers to satisfy themselves that the brick shipped here for paving about the public square.were all right and the same as are being used at other places. The only obstinate member of the party, we are informed, is “Honest Abe,” whose remarks last week that "the opinion of a hundred experts would not change my mind regarding them,” showed conclusively that he was strongly biased. As a matter of fact, Abe knows no more about paving brick than the average man who never saw any put down, and that he did not desire to learn anything about them was evidenced by his alleged refusal to go into the factory and see the process by which they were made, but staid outside while the others honestly sought for knowledge in the matter. It would seem, as stated by us last week, that Mr. Halleck’s trip was entirely unnecessary, as he was determined to reject the brick all along. It is altogether probable that he would not have accompanied the party at all had not the expenses of the trip been paid by someone else and dim visions of the pleasure had in the company of those ‘‘pneumatic clock experts,” who are alleged to have accompanied the junketing expedition from Chicago to Milwaukee when the memorable purchase of the court house clock was made, flitted across his memory, and perhaps—well, how was he to know but some brick experts might be along with the present junketing party. But, to come back to the brick matter, we understand that Abe reported that it was just as he had thought, “all the good brick were being shipped to Indianapolis and other points, while the culls were being shipped to Rensselaer.” The other members of the party five besides the contractor —report that the brick are precisely the same as are being shipped to all other poiuts including Valparaiso, and the same as they found in each of the numerous kilns in the yards, and the same as they saw being put down at Brazil and other points. Mr. Halleck, however, refuses to be convinced and at this writing (Wednesday) is still in the city trying to work up a sentiment against the acceptance of the brick. His avowed intention, if sustained by his colleagues on the board—of refusing to allow pay for the improvement—will simply result in another law-suit for the county, and is it not about . time to call a halt on lawsuits against Jasper county that some public officer may gratify a little personal spite? Lawsuits are expensive, as the frequent allowances to pay attorneys, etc., and the SSOO Burford judgement testifies to. The commissioners office in this county should not be allowed to descend into a mere petty spite office, where each member can punish his personal enemies at the taxpayers’ expense.

Our peach buyers disappointed us but we will be ou the ground and see them loaded for the next sale, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 19 and 20. Chicago Bargain Store. Irwin & Irwin are making loans on farm or city property at a low rate of interest and commission and on more liberal terms than can be obtained elsewhere in Jasper County.