Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1892 — Gang Versus Ring. [ARTICLE]

Gang Versus Ring.

The great and only question that the Pilot now seems disposed to discuss is the composition of what it styles the “ring” and denounces by crying “fraud and robbery : v l-"No%what is tho-composition of this awful “ring”? What class ’of ! citizens have our voters elected to ■ office ? Here is the list: an Auditor, | one of Jasper County’s success- ! fnl young farmers, against whom no ■ suspicion of dishonesty has ever ; before been directed. A Treasurer, another successful farmer, who not only bears a reputation for honesty, fair dealing and courtesy, but who was a brave and gallant soldier, who served his country in the hour of need, leaving home, friends and loved ones behind, shouldering his musket in the interest of National BDHOT, and against the infamy of human slavery, aDd who is now faithfully and honestly serving his county as Treasurer. A Recorder who also came from the farm and who has given the county the neatest records to be found in her vaults. A Clerk, who is a business man, and who was elected by the farmers. His business dealings have always been directly with farmers, and he has enjoyed their confidence, because he honest, fair and obliging with them. A Surveyor, who as a teacher, a student and a competent civil engineer has always commanded the confidence and respect of farmers. A coroner, who is widely known, and against whom there has never been a breath of scandal.

A County Superintendent, whose boyhood and young manhood was spent on a farm, and who by persistent effort has fitted himself for the responsible position that he now ably fills. Three County commissioners, all o f whom are life-long and prosperous farmers, and who have earned the res pect that they now receive, and which is due to the high reputation for their business integrity, cheerfully accorded them by neighbors who from contact, have come to trust them for their sterling worth. 'A county assessor, against whose statements, for want of better argument, the high minded editor finds it fitting to hold up to ridieule his physical infirmities, The above are the officers of Jasper county, unless the Pilot desires to include in this crowd of iniquity, the Trustees, all of whom are farme rs, and all of whom, I sincerely be--1 ieve, are good citizens and honest m en. If these mf)\ are rascals, prosec nte their actß ofraseality. If any o ne of them has stolen county money name the man who did it. I for one, as a tax payer of Jasper county, w ould like to know who is the thief. Now ye ‘‘farmer editorial staff.” Ye sons of honest toil! Ye exemplifications of truth and virtue ! Why are you making grave charges against _your brother farmers of fraud, robb<W and rascality?” ~ Why are you trying to mislead the

people by indirect charges that you apnoPprove ? Why are you setting yourselves up as judges, and declaring gujlt, without trial, when our laws presume every man innocent until proven gnilty? Why did yon not, when you pub lished the Auditor’s statement, that there was $46,000. in the treasury, tell the people that this was the April instalment of taxes for the year 1891, and that a large amount of this sum was disbursed by the Commissioners at their June session ? Was it because you wanted to deceive the people? Webster says; “ that a lie is an intention to deceive. ” In conclusion, I would say to the people; come to the records and find out the truth. Be careful how you accept the statements of those who repeatedly contradict themselves. If the farmers of Jasper county are as dishonest as the Pilot would have you believe, it is surely dangerous to elect farmers at all. Charles E s Mills.