Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1870 — Our Disappointments. [ARTICLE]

Our Disappointments.

The people of Jasper county have * been ro often by the failure of railroad projects in which they were interested, that they are inclined to distrust all movements ofthc kind, as swindles gotten up to make money out of those who nre green enough to invest in them. Most of these failures were organ* ixeti without definite assurance that Muylliing .could be accomplished, even if the means asked for was mined, but upon the mere surmise that if au amount was secured sufficient to grade, tic, bridge, and obtain the right of way, some company might possibly be found who could be induced to build and equip It. This was the case'with the Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Rail* road. The President of that com>any, Mr. Ridenour, stated at Delphi that if the people along the line would raise the necessary amount to grade, tie and bridge it and sc* | cure the right of way, he could find a railroad company that would cantract to build it, So far, however no company hAs been found to do this and the prospects of that road are dark enough. In the Ft. Wayne & Pacific Railroad we, of Jasper county have u chance to get out of the woods into the broad sunlight of civilization. For the first time we now have a lair, square proposition from a reliable and responsible company to build us a first class road, if we will encourage them with the necessary amount of local assistance. Mr. James E. Abbott, President of the Central Construction Company, on last presented a contract (a synopsis of which may be found in another column) to Messrs. Dwiggins, Stackhouse and Caldwell, who have said that it would be accepted by their company,to build us a rqad. Now all that can prevent us hating what we have long labored to secure, will be the apathy of the people upon the important subject of public improvements. It is unnecessary to advance arguments in favor of for every man knows and will ad- , mit that a railroad through the center of the county would benefit everyone of its citizens by the increased facilities it would give them to market their produce, by the in- ' flux of immigration, by the influx of capital and by the additional value of property, and the only question for thenjr to decide is, whether their money invested in taxes, for two years would yield a iarger revenue if invested in anything else.

The road wtll benefit every voter in the county—some more, some less—but every one will more than recover his tax in the benefits to be derived from tin. road. While the, road is being built labor of all kinds wifi bring a good price. Ties and bridge timber wilt be needed for this county, and the wide treeless., prairies wjtst of ns, afidWe believe we are safe in raying that doable the sum asked from the county will be expended within its limits. Let every man think this matter over carefully and consider it well. It the railroad will not Itenefit him ip any manner, but will be an injury —if he is wholly satisfied with his , present markets—if he is content with the prices be reeefvw for his farm products—it he does not want his lands to be increased in value—if be is perfectly satisfied with the way he lives—if he is satisfied with Jasper county as it now hv-Chsrf let him vole “against the railroad appropriation’' next Saturday; but if he would like tije choice of markets for his farm produce—if he is striving to improve his farm and make it more valuable—if he is not satisfied with the present condition of his county and his surroundings —if he would Jike td have Jasper county step forward in the front rauk o* financial prosperity, then let kiQ vote “for the railroad appMpriation * ud induce his fleighbors to do so. ; " min v who has the prosperity of the couiHy at hdart ♦ tnrday »For_the|