Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1883 — An Open Letter. [ARTICLE]

An Open Letter.

Rensselaer, Ind„ ( Jdlt 25th, 1883. To the Voters of Marion Tp. On August Ist 1883, we hy ballot express our views on a very important question. The following proposition is definitely and authoritatively made to us by the Chicago & Atlantic R. R. manager. “If your people want a rail-road and mil get the rignt of way and vote the tax, the money to build the road will be raised.” The local company in which the writer is one of eleven* directors is asking us to avail ourselves of the proffered railway. The aid asked by taxation in this county is as follows: Marion $17,000, Hanging Grove $4,000 and Newton township $5,000, in all $26,000. The building of the road from Rochester to Gilman will cost 2,000,000 dollars and more than eighty times the amount of aid asked from onr county. With the aid the road will probably be built, and without it the road will probably not be built.

The C. &A. has a completed road to Chicago and desires a St. Louis branch. Our co-operation js asked on easy terms. Our route will not b.e pitched upon and the Railroad built in opposition to our wishes. We are not on a direct line, and without effort on our part the opportunity will pass and nothing will be done. I honestly believe the project will make for our good and-. each voter should judge it by pertinent evidence. Set naught down in malice but judge the matter on strict merit. The rail-way, if built without aid will bo located*to suit the convenience of those who pay. If we vote the aid, we dictate the place and manner of construction. Our aid is so conditioned. The amount asked cannot be raised without the voters by a majority demand a tax. The members of the Local company serve free of charts and from diligent enquiry I can state positively that the amount cannot be raised by voluntary subscription in this county. Our newspapers both favor the tax and have presented .the arguments of the question fully to our minds. I have, to the best of my humble ability, so drafted the petition and order that we will not be subject to vexations delays attending the levy and collection of the tax if it is voted. The R. R. must be commenced before August Ist, 1884, to secure any part of the tax if voted. The entire work-must be completed before one cent of the money raised by taxation can be demanded. This project I regard as a feasible one and the 616 voters in this township ought to second the effort to secure the building of the road. No money can be secured tor building this line of railway except on the assurance of a clear right of way and the voted aid.

Vote a ticket on which are printed the words “For the appropriation” and your public spirit will be commended. If we fail to secure the road after a favorable vote we are in good condition to take up something better, and of surer promise when we I'm d it. The poor man has the same right to vote as his wealthy neighbor. The laborer is equal at the polls with the capitalist. The farmer, God's nobleman, carries the same weight of ballot as the moneyed speculator. The manual and mental toilers and the men of leisure meet on the plain of absolute equality. The law permits the vote and it i 3 right. I shall be happy, if each voter acts on the basis of reason and his best sense, to await the result. This election should iu its results present a true picture of our present and future views regarding public improvements. Let no one vote under the influence of passion and unfounded prejudice. Let us study the problem and bring in our verdict. No harm can iiow trom a favorable vote if the road is built. Those high in authority and ability say: “If the people aid, the road will be built, otherwise it will not be built.” This is the question. I believe the local company are making an honest eff *rt to secure the road, and that the investment will pay us all now, and for all future time. My life has been your study for twenty years and serving as director, without pecuniary reward or the hopo thereof, I desiro that wo may at least oopfide in. each others’ honest purposes. Let us deal with each other on the sacred principles of brotherly kindness and charity. Some of my neighbors are opposed to railroads and a different opinion is not expected from them now. Others believe in the utility and desirability of having the quickest and cheapest common carriers. Gur votes will tell which class is in a majority in thri township.

S. P. THOMPSON.

The last Railroad Meeting, at the Court House last Saturday evening, was c ne of the best which has been held. The Rev. Peter Hinds presided, and in the absence of the secretary, Mr. C. P. Hopkins was chosen to fill the place. Remarks, all in favor of the tax, .were made by J. K. Lee, the president of the road, S. Healy, Wm. C. Pierce, E. P. Hammond, W. H. Saylor, B. F. Ferguson, L. L. Daugherty, A. Leopold, Jay Williams, S. P. Thompson, Peter Hinds and others; A committee on “Right of Way” was apoointed and consisted of the following Alfred Thompson, Jay Williams, B. F. Ferguson, G. H. Brown and James, T. Randle.