Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1892 — This Time About Ditches. [ARTICLE]

This Time About Ditches.

Editor Republican :—The drainage industry is almost on a standstill in our township, (public ditches .) I have wondered why it is that ditches located, surveyed and portioned or allotted according to law should be them suffered to p*op right there. Some faithful to th-ir duty do their work whilst others above- and below are permitted to leave their portion untouched. I will here state that unless there are more energetic measures adopted Barkley township will remain in the marshes and public money squandered as well as private individuals robbed of labor and money. There are different grades of men as well as of horses and cattle. Some need shoving and pushing, to do tlWfir share, whilst others are sound and honest. For this reason the ditch law was brought forth to bring scalawags to time, also officers to see it enforced in an upright manner. Where are they, or who are they, are they loose or are they tied ? Is there some one counseling against pushing things on in accordance to the wishesof the citizens of this township, by a large majority. Wh'reis there one ditch in this township that was finished according to the specifications in full, located under the state law? Will some one please say where an 4 I will go aDd look at it surely? There is no law so shamefully neglected where the general interest of farmers is at stake, to my knowledge, as the ditch law. Please excuse my plain speech, I have just spoken part of What I think and know; Hoping that this coining season the ditch law will be put in use and brightened s up some, so folks can see and feel what it is. It is wholesome and good in that form. Yours Truly Barkley Tp. P. S. Since writing the above, I see p dryland angel hovering around speaking%rords of comfort to the swamp angels that the waters will be led away so all can pass along dry shod to and fro 6k spaces now impassable for man or I hope that all -parties along the line of his proposed trench will not strive against hut help and encourage the proposed work. I have not much interest in it personally. Bat disadvantages that our citizens have labored under so long being, removed is a thought which the swamj) angels even will delight in. « I say success to the gutter, if only deep and wide enough for the coming floods.

BARKLEY TP.