Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1894 — HOW THE DAILY PAPERS GOT IT. [ARTICLE]

HOW THE DAILY PAPERS GOT IT.

The following in regard to the discision in the Gifford district drain age law matter, which appeared in the Chicago and Indianapolis dailies, last Thursday, will be of interest to to our readers, especially the statement that the contemplated gigantic Kankakee River, drainage project was to have been effected under this law: Rensselaer, lud., April 4. —Special Telegram —Judge Wiley, of the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit, today decided the district drainage law of Indiana unconstitutional. This law was passed by the Legislature of 1893, and is similar to the Illinois law. It was framed by Benjamin J. Gifford, of Kankakee, 111., a large land owner in Champaign and Kankakee counties, Illinois, and in this county. ..The case decided today was the application of this law in the the drainage of his 20,000 acre ranch in this county, It was under this law that it was expected to drain the Kankakee River marshes, involving a half million acres of land in this and adjoining counties. The decision has a far-reaching effect throughout Indiana, and will render invalid all proceedings commenced under the law.