Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1894 — GRAVEL ROAD QUESTION. [ARTICLE]

GRAVEL ROAD QUESTION.

Editor Republican. The opposition to the “stone’ road have charged that there was no intentioif on the part of the “promoters’’ to build a gravel road hut that they intended to use the rock now obstructing the Iroquois river at this {lace. At iirst the charge was denied but an article appeared in last week’s Pilot making a full confession and giving-reasons -why this rook should be Used. “If the gravel roads are voted now this loosened material can be furnished free for tfye crashing, and the drainage project save the cost of storage ” This writer should have added “and also the cost of excavation.” Ure is the seq’»l to the whole thing. Here is tne motive for the rushing the gravel road project now. To gain this end Simon P. Thompson, James H. Loughridge and James W. Cowden are most devoutly praying day and night. The enormous expense of this scheme they are try ing 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 tliisi material (i. e. rock) at a central point for distribution.” This is an inspiration emenating from the baudof the Stool pigeon.

The amount of rock to be taken out is 28,000 cubic yards. The estimated cost is limited by the omnipotent trinity to 125,000, but that is too low by $3,000 at least. These rock will never be taken out for less than $1 a cubic >ard, which will bring the cost to $28,000. This enormous sum, probably one half of the entire cost of the river improvement, is to be saved the draiiage project and saddled on the tax-[layers 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 bss than $5>,000 ai d you can have $33,000 “saved” to the drainage project. Saved to Simon P. Thorny son, James H. Luughridge, James W. Cowden and other owners of wet lands along thej’iver, and it is this $33,000 that these philanthropic gentlemen are trying to get the voters of this township to pey March 2nd. They have b-.en scbimeing for years to evolve some plan to get these now worthless lands.drained at somebody rise’s expense—to enhance their value without paying for it. The opportunity hts 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 $1 wood, race tracks, and work for the laboring wan, with no other intention.than to rob him while be rushes forward to their resihe. If AUia ittiamoas scheme is car-

ried it will aid $15,000 to Simon P. Thompson’s gains and save him $3,000 or half of Ids probable assessment of the drainage project, making SIB,OOO. It will add SB,OOO to James 11. Lougbridge’s charity and public improvement fund and save him $1,700 of his assessment for the drainage proj- ct, 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 this great saving and this magnificent increase in value to their properties? It will cost Simon Parr Thompson $370.24, Jas. H. Loughridge $137.86 and James W. Cowden S9B 53. What wonder they are anxious that Ibis thing be a go. They are playing for big stakes and are whistling mighty hard to keep up their courage. We intend that every voter shall see, if he will, the motive behind this “gravel” road. It is pushed onward for the sole purpose of shifting the cost of removing the rock from ihe men who own the swamp lands now worthless, to the taxpayers of Marion tp. It remains to be seen whether this scheme of these shyloeks and pill-peddlers can be carried out. whether the voters will assume ill's enormous burden thht, it may be expense saved to the drainage project.

ANOTHER "READER."