People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1895 — Waterworks Defeated. [ARTICLE]

Waterworks Defeated.

The special election to decide whether Rensselaer should have a system of waterworks was defeated last Tuesday by 62 votes. It was a very quiet election, little interest apparently being manifested in the result. Those who voted against the proposition claim that the improvement is needed only by a portion of the town, that it would not be self sustaining; that the town is already as heavily taxed as prudence should allow; that further taxation would be burdensome to many and prevent the investment of capital here; that a new school building is a necessity of the near future and will increase the rate of taxation; and that some one was figuring to get a fat contract. However valid reasons are, they seemed sufficient to majority of the voters, and the proposition has been rejected for the present. It is probably because so little time was given for the discussion of the matter and so little definite information known as to the income from consumers and the cost of operating. When private enterprise proposed to establish a telephone system, the promoters carefully canvassed the town and secured the signatures of sufficent patrons to guarantee a financial success, would not such a course be feasible in determining the probable income from the waterworks. Would not a private corporation begin in that way if given a franchise for waterworks? Is that not the proper course to pursue now, or whenever this question is to be again acted upon? The voting upon this question Tuesday was the direct application of the “referendum system." The chief objection, that of expense, being one that could be largely obviated, and popular voice on various questions taken at a trivial expense. The death of Mr. James Jenkins. who resided on the Edward Bruce farm two and one-half miles southeast of town, was reported this morning as occurring at 5 o'clock.