People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1894 — [?]lid Gravel Road Discussion. [ARTICLE]

[?]lid Gravel Road Discussion.

Ed. Pilot: —The opposition to the stone road have charged that there was no intention on the part of the promoters to build a gravel road but that they intended to use the rock bow obstructing the Iroqudis river at this place. At first this charge was denied, but an article appeared in last week’s Pilot making a full confession, and giving reasons why this rock should be used. “If the gravel roads are voted now this loosened material can be furnished free for crushing and the drainage project saved the cost of storage.” This writer should have added, “and also the cost of excavation.” Here is the sequel to'the whole thing. Here is the motive for rushing the gravel road project. Now. to gain this end Simon P. Thompson, James-H. Loughridge and James W. Cowden are most devoutly praying night and day. The enormous expense of this scheme they are trying to transfer from the drainage project to the backs of the voters of this township who have no interest in this drainage project. The other will require the excavation of 28,000 cubic yards of this material (rock) at a central point f©r distribution.

This is an inspiration emanating from the trinity of this scheme as recorded by the hand of the stool pigeon. The amount of rock to be taken out i£ 28,000 cubic yards. The omnipotent, trinity to §25.000, but that is too low by §3,000 at least. This rock will never be taken out for less than one dollar per cubic yard, which will bring the cost to §28,000. This enormous sum. probably one-half of the cost of the river improvement, is to be saved to the drainage project, and saddled onto the taxpayers of the township! A great scheme, this! Now’ add to §28,000 the probable cost of storage, which would consist of hauling the loosened rock out of the channel to some 80 acre field purchased or rented for this purpose. and it will not be less than 83,000, and you have 833,000 saved to the drainage project, saved to Simon P. Thompson, James W. Cowden and other owners of wet lands along the liver, and it is this §33.000 that these philanthropic gentlemen are trying to get the voters of this township to obligate themselves to pay March 2nd. They have been scheming for years to evolve some plan to get the§e now .worthless lands drained at somebody else’s expense, to enhance their value without paying for it. The opportunity has arrived and with your help they intend to secure the prize.

These men intend to save this *33,000 to the drainage project and place it securely in their pockets. They have kicked up a great cloud of dust about *4 wood, race tracks and work for the laboring man with no other intention than to rob him while he rushes forward to their rescue. If this infamous scheme is carried it will add #15,000 to Simon P. Thompson’s ill gotten gains and save him #3,000 or half of his probable assessment for the drainage project, making #IB,OOO. It will add *B,OOO to James H. Loughridge’s charity and puolic improvement fund and save him *1,700 of his assessment for the drainage project or *9.700. It will add *2,000 to James W. Cowden’s private protection account, and save #320 on his drainage assessment, making *2.320 saving to him. And what is the cost to these great philanthropists of these great savings and this magnificent increase in value to their properties? It will cost Simon Parr Thomps m *370.24. James H. Lough ridge *157*6, an 1 James W. Cowde t 598.23. What wonder they arv anxious that this tning be a go. They are playing for big stakes and are w iitliog mighty ha' l to keep up their courage. Ve intend that every voter shall see, if he will, the motive behind thisgrav- €. oad. It is pushed forward for the sole purpose of shifting the cost of removing the rock from the men who own the swamp lands, now worthless, to the taxpayers of Marion township. It remains to be seen whether this scheme of these shylo ks and pill peddlers can be curried out, whether the voters w l assume this enormous burde i Uiat it may be expense . a ved to the drainage project. Another Reader.