Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1894 — The One Thing Needful. [ARTICLE]

The One Thing Needful.

Rensselaer is a beautiful little town. It is a peaceful, friendly, sociable little town. A goodly place in which to live—we know indeed of few that are more desirable in that respect. Those few that are more desirable places of residences are so because they have that which Rensselaer has not, and most needs —a good college that is open to people of all classes. We can scarcely hope to ever become a great business center or a great manufacturing center, but a good residence center we already are, and a great one we may yet be. To secure the location here of a good college, would be the sure and certain course

to become such a town. Will it be dore, and can it be done ? For the first part of the question, we give it up. For thrr latter part, we say we believe it could be done if our people would put forth an effort commensurate with the prospective benefits. The town has its full share of public spirit and more than its full share of wealth. Can not some way be found or made, in which this wealth and public spirit can be utilized in locating and maintaining here a good collegiate institution. A town of from 5,000 to 10,000 people, with a high grade college, open to all classes of people, is about the best place on earth for a residence.