Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1874 — Page 4

THE RENSSELAER UNION. Thursday November 5. 1874

There comes up from all over the State a demand for its redistrictment for Congressional and Legislative purposes. The apportionment law of the last Legislature is so grossly unfair and unequal, practically disfranchising so many people, that even journals which advocated the election of the Republican ticket this fall admit the injustice df the law and deiftand its repeal. It is probable that a National Independent Refoim party will be organised this winter, and the foundation laid for the Presidential campaign of 1876. Opposition to monopolies, opposition to protective- tariffs, opposition to long terms of office holding, and favoring an increase of national currency will probably be among the measures advocated.

THE ELECTION.

Twenty-three States and three Territories held elections this week. An unusual degree of interest was felt in the result by politicians, frnm the fact that more than two hundred members of Congress were to be chosen, and there was strong probability that the result would change the political character of the House of Representatives and give a ma* jority in that body to those —who* oppose the Republican party. — The returns of the election published in the papers yesterday were meagre and indefinite, but sufficient to indicate that Republicans had lost, largely everywhere, except in the Territories and perhaps in Kansas. Massachusetts, the stronghold of Radicalism, it is reported, has elected a Democratic Governor for the first time since the rebellion broke out, and returns three or four Opposition members of Congress, among whom is Hon. Nathaniel P. Ranks, who carried every town in his district save the one where his competitor, Mr. Gooch, resided.— Hon, George F. Hoar,. Republican, whose majority was upwards of 6,000 barely saves himself with less than 400. Hon. Benjamin F. Butler is defeated by a large majority, for which let all good people rejoice, and American newspaperdom be glad. New York has gone Democratic by* about 25,000 majority, electing Tijden Governor over Gen. Dix; she also increases her Opposition representation in Congress. Pennsylvania has probablygone Republican, but her majorities are SO much depleted that the Republican press is not elated over them. In Michigan a new Constitution was submitted for popular acti on i w Inch con tai neiTli cl a use extending the privilege of suffrage to women. The whole instrument was rejected, but the suffrage clause received a larger vote than had been anticipated lor it. Michigan elected Republican State officers by reduped majorities, but sends three or four Opposition Representatives to Congress. The Inter-Ocean claims Illinois for the Republicans by 20,000 majority, but concedes a loss of several Congressmen. Everywhere m the Southern Stales there have 1 een Republican losses. The elections in these States are said to have been very peaceable. Louisiana is reported to have been earried by the anti-Admini st ration coalition; and wbat causes universal disgust to the papers that harped so much about the outrages perpetrated upon the colored people is the fact that about twenty per cent, of the colored men voted with those who were reported to be outraging them ! Jt is not definitely known yet, but indications are strong that’ the summing tip of results over the country will place the Republicans in the minority in the Lower House of Congress after the fourth day of next March. If such is a fact, people may expect to hear of the revelations of unparalleled official corruption and downright stealing which have been carried on for years at Washington by men who were elected to office upon the strength qf their cant pretentions to loyalty and Christian statesmanship, and their false professions of honesty; The President will be satisfied that a third term is not possible for him.

THE RAILROAD.

The day and hour has now come when those who care to have the Chicago & South Atlantic railroad built to Rensselaer must makeyp their minds and let the company know just what subsidies they will give for that purpose. The day gone by for procrastination and evasive answers. The company is in earnest now, means business, and nothing else but practical, hard-pan business talk and actions will be heard or considered by them. The Chicago and South Atlantic railroad will be buffi, and “dars’will run on ft from Delphi through Jasper county to Chicago within twelve months. — This is determined upon by men who are interested and who have Comrmatrd( of ample means to perform the work. The building of this railroadis as certain as the completion of any other projected human enterpise. It is as certain, to all outwardlap*pearance as the finishing of the government buildings at Chicago, or the completion of the house you have already commenced to build for yourself. The company do not say “The road will be built, if the people will do their duty and donate liberally.” Its completion does no depend upon any such hazardous contingency. For years has the project been working up to its present shape of certain completion. It is an enormous undertaking, one of .national importance, and so great that it was necessary to subdivide it, and complete it by detail of short sections. Herein is shown the superior wisdom of the leading mind in this work, when compared with the projector of the Continental scheme. The latter was a brilliant scheme, but so stupendous in its proportions that private capital durst not undertake its construction; the Chicago & South Atlantic project is scarcely less important, Hs consolidated proportions but a trifle less collossal, yet by undertaking its construction link by link, and dividing these links into shorter sections where necessary or more convenient, it has not been impossible to find captheir means in this tremendous enterprise. It is not the intention of this article to dilate upon the importance of this work nor to enter upon the details of its magnitude, these are sutliciently indicated in an article from the Chicago Tribune, which is republishd elsewhere in these columns for the information of readers not already advised upon the subject; but our object is to call the attention of those persons who are interested in the welfare and future prosperity of Rensselaer to the ne cessity of immediate, prompt and decisive action. The question is not Can the road be built? neither is it Will it be built through Jasper county? these are settled affirmatively; but the interrogatory put by the company to each of you indiually is. Hate much will you pay us to . build our railroad through Rensselaer, j and put your town in direct communication with Chicago markets and only four j hours distant, within a year? They jdon’t ask what your neighbor will I give, or ought to give, or what ’ would be an equitable proportion : for this man or that one to pay, but I they want to know* what you indii vidually will pay them for the benefit their railroad will confer on your business, your property, your condition and your interests. f Already seventeen miles ,of the bed is finished at its northern extremity irPTllinois and Indiana, with ties delivered, ready for laying down the iron, which has been bought and will soon be on the ground, where ample force is ready to lay it down. The link from Delphi to Monticello-was let to con- ' tractors three weeks ago, and they are now at work on it. The link between Monticello and the Kankakee ! ruts was let last week, and its survey will be commenced from the Kankakee nej± Monday. Dr. Haymond, President of the company, has written to learn what the people will do about having the road built to'this point, and Col. Healey,‘one of the directors for Jasper county, went to Monticello yesterday to see him and arrange a plan to get a public expression on the subject Meanwhile talk over the matter with your iieighliors, and be ready with a prompt and direct answer to the i question, What will you give to! have thy Chicago Sb Atlantic rail- j roadTuUniy •w-iy of R ,'nsselaer ? '

A THIRD PRESIDENTIAL TERM.

Even that eminently respectable, staid and conservative Republican newspaper, the New York Evening Post, gives respectful attention to the statement tnat Mr. Grant aspires to a third term in the Presidential office; and in a recent editorial admits the possibility of such ambitious hopes in Mr. Grant's breast, genteelly expostulates with him for entertaining them, and points out the grave dangers that might beset the Republic should the people consent to such an innovation upon established precedent. The Indianapolis Journal, whose orthodox Republicanism is unquestioned, feels constrained to talk thus plainly to Mr. Grant about his idiosincracy: Whatever the President may choose to say or think about the third term business, that question has assumed considerable imjxirtance in the judgment of the American people, and we cannot hut think that his treatment of it is, if not uncandid, at least very unfortunate. We do not underrate General Grant’s strong points of character, nor the great services he has rendered the country. We would not detract one iota from his well-earned fame, nor pluck a single fragment from the laurel wreath which a gratified people have placed upon his brow. But in our opinion he has never before so completely misinterpreted the temper and sentiments of the American people as he has done “land is doing in his treatment of the third term question. Whether he believes it or not, we tell him that thousands and hundreds of thousands of original Republicans have less respect for him to-day than they had a year ago, and that the Republican party as an organization has suffered severe injuFy by reason of his mistaken course on this subject. We tell him that the third term agitation was ope of the many causes which contributed to the recent Democratic victory in this State, and that in so far he is responsible not only for the Republican defeat here, but for the discouragement which that defeat has brought to Republicans in other States. We tell him, further, that the best elements of the Republican party, including all the men in the party who are Republicans from principle, and who have no favors to ask, are opposed to his re-election and can not be induced to favor it by any process of political manipulation that may be adopted. Even if the third term suggestion were not opposed to American ideas and traditions, the present tone of national politics and administration is not such as intelligent Republicans are anxious to continue; and neither federal patronage, party caucuses, nor party nominations, nor all of these combined, can shake their determi nation not to reelect him for a third term.

Although it is a partial digression from the subject discussed we direct especial attention to that sentence above which says that present tone of national poli- ; tics and administration is not such as intelligent Republicans are anx- ; ions to continue.” Accepting this as a true reflex of the sentiment of that class of voters, the question very naturally arises why they so strongly insisted only a tew weeks ago on the election of men to Congress who by their speeches and platforms endorsed the administration,and of men to the Legislature that were pledged to return Mr. Pratt to the United States Senate, when he more than any other man with whom the people of Indiana then had to reckon was responsible for giving the present undesired and undesirable tone to our fiational politics? When the Journal says that intelligent Republicans are not anxious to continue the present condition of public affairs does it thereby intend to impeach the intelligence of honesty of those who voted the Republican ticket this fall, or those who still advocate its claims upon popular favor ? It is with unfeigned pleasure that The Union sees this frankness and spirit of liberality displayed by its. eminent contemporary, and perhaps it may be pardoned tor the vanity of thinking that its influence though feeble may have contributed to the sentiment which is thus authora. tively acknowledged to exist among intelligent people. To those who think there can be no question that the election of any man to a third Presidential term, no matter how patriotic, how wise, or how fair his record, would be to establish a dangerous precedent.— The ramifications of patronage are so extensive, the army of his appointees is so large, and the influence he wields is so mighty, that there is great danger he might be tempted after twelve years to prolong his term through life. The history of France during President Louis Napoleon Bonaparte’s admim istration teaches what a life presidency means—that it is the death of a republic and the e<ta^* s^ulcnt

of an imperial government in its; stead. The footsteps ,of imperialism must necessanally be stealthy at first in a nation like ours, where education, intelligence and patriotism are so universal. But do we not begin to hear their muffled treaa? Why is all our legislation in the interests of capital? Why was it necessary to double the President’s salary? Why was the military office of General created in a time of peace? Why is the press assailed, legislated against, and an* attempt made to cuitail its liberty of expression ? Why are usurping governors of States protected by military force? Why are armed troops sent to different parts of the country to overawe the people and influence elections? It is proverbial that an appeal to arms Is the final argument of despots. Tyrants always create an apparent necessity for their usurpations, their violations of law, their evasions or disregard of constitutional compacts, and for trampling under foot the traditions, precedents and established customs of a people where they interfere with their own ambitious schemes. We do not believe that any man can be elected to the Presidency of the Republic of the United States of America for a third term while the present generation lives; but when such able minds as Senator Conklin and Senator Brownlow favor it, when party State conventions adopt resolutions advocating it as the South Carolina Republican convention did, and when such influential newspapers as the New York Evening Pfsl, New York Times, Bonner’s Ledger, Baltimore American, Indianapolis Journal, St. Louis Globe, Auburn Advertiser, and Concord Monitor, that have hitherto been enthusiastic admirers of President Grant, deploringly admit his ambition in this direction and tremble at the calamities likely to follow from it if gratified, there is no impropriety in the people, all of whom are directly interested, discussing the subject at their firesides.

The body of John Sliner Whs found in the canal at ,Logansport last week; under circumstances which lead to the conclusion that he committed suicide. At one time he had been clerk in the Government Land office at Winqmac; more recently clerk for Mr. Dodds when Collector of Internal Revenue, for some time was Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, and subsequently Internal Revenue Storekeeper. Family afflictions aijd pecuniary difficulties had preyed heavily upon his spirits of late years, and it is supposed that in an attack of despondency he sought rehei from the burdens of life in the dark uncertainties of death. The wife and three children of Elijah Gliding, living near Warsaw, were poisoned a few® days since, and their recovery is doubtful.— Suspicion rests upon the husband and father, as he was seen putting a white powder—arsenic—in their food.— South Bend Register. Should think as much! If we saw a man split another’s head open with an ax, shoot a load of buck shot into his bowels, or mingle ratsbane wijh his coffee, and the victim should die from the effects of such treatment, we would strongly suspect the perpetrator was guilty of his crime.

A stone ax—-an interesting relic of the prehistoric people that once dwelt, and warred, and loved, and joyed, and sorrowed, and hoped, and worshiped in this beautiful land where we now live; but whose wars, loves, joys, sorrows, religion, hopes, ambitions, occupations, language, manners and customs are hidden in the deep, black grave of oblivion, never again to be known by earth’s inhabitants while time shall reign—was recently ploughed up in a field near Plymouth, Marshall county. David Clinger, nineteen years old, attempted to board a moving train of cars at Star City last week, missed hia calculation, fell beneath and received injuries from which he died within two hours thereafter. Mr. Joseph S. Stockton—“ Sile” —was defeated for commissioner of Tippecanoe county, at the late election, by a healthy majority of five hundred and twentv-four.

Chicago & South Atlantic Railroad.

Half-a-dozen distinguished gentlemen considerably interested in the projected line of railroad between Chicago and Charleston S. C., left on the Pan-Handle train at 8 o’clock Saturday morning, for the I purpose of inspecting the work that has already been done in the vicinity of Cedar Lake,»_ Lake county, Indiana. The party consisted of Gov. Magoffin, of Kentucky ; the Hon. William S. Haymond, ‘of Indiana ; John W. Musson, of New York; and Robert Rae, Lyman Bridges, and the Rev. W. T. Stewart, of Illinois. While on the train the following information in regard to the proposed enterprise was gleaned: The Chicago & South Atlantic railroad is chartered to be built between Chicago and Charleston S. C., in an air line. Those interested in the project held a convention at the Palmer House in this city Oct. 9th, 1873, and 300 delegates were present, representing the States of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Resolutions were then passed indorsing the movement. Since then the work on the road has been pushed rapidly.— Except in Kentucky, surveys have been made and the route located. In the east and south of the mountains $1,600,000 has been subscribed to the project. North of the Ohio river $4,000,000 has been subscribed while south of the Ohio river, and north of Cumberland Gap, $2,000,000 has been pledged. The officers of the road are as follows: The Hon. W. S. Haymond, member of Congress elect from Colfax’s district, President; the Hob. C. G. Memminger, ex-Secretary of the Confederate Treasury, First Vice President; Col. JamesH. Steward, of Delphi, Ind., Second Vice-Pres-ident; the Hon. Thomas L. Jones, of Kentucky, Third Vice-Presi-dent; and Robert Rae, of Chicago, Fourth Vice-President. A rather singular circumstance connected with the enterprise is this: The Company is so constructed that the Vice-Presidents are ex-officio Directors of the Confederated Chicago & South Atlantic Railway Company. These Directors every two years elect a President. The President and Directors, acting as a unit, will arrange through rates, make treaties and alliances with other roads, and they also will settle matters df general or inter-State commerce.— Local traffic and commerce is reserved to the Vice-Presidents of the several States themselves, and their local Board of Directors for settlement... The road in one State is not liable for debt of the line in any other State. The leasing of the road, o; its franchises, or any part thereof, or consolidations with other roads, is expressly prohibited without the consent of the consolidated company, thus being a check to fraud. Watered stock is also prohibited. The road has been in operation for over a year, and no differences of opinion or misunderstandings have arisen between the officers, everything working harmoniously. The road is constructing at both ends. From Charleston, 73 miles are under contract at a cost of §1,390,280. The cost of masonry, giading and bridging from Spartanburg to Ashville is $367,545. — From Chetwood to Careysville, 30 miles, 9 have been graded. From Wolf Creek to Ashville, 45 miles, 24 have been graded and bridged. From Chicago, the right-of-way has.been obtained from Archer avenue and Thirteenth street, having a river front of more than one mile. Through Lake township the road is ready for ties and iron. The contract has been,let to Davis & Co., of Chicago, for bridging, grading and ties from Englewood to Dyer. Two hundred men are on this portion of the work, and it will be finished as sobn as the weather permits. As soon as the right-of-way can be obtained to come up Wabash avenue with Pullman cars, work will be commenced at-Englewood. The contract for the road from Dyer to the Kankakee river, via. Lowell, has been let, and 20 miles are now ready for iron. Clifford & Sons, late contractors of the Baltimore & Ohio road, have taken the contract, to Monti cello, and 35 miles is to be ready for iron this winter. A good portion of the road from Monticello to Delphi is under way and partly completed. Bridges over the Wabash and Tippecanoe rivers have to be built on this section.— This gives a continuous line of road from Chicago tor a distance of 105 miles to Delphi, Ind. One-half of this is completed, making three eastern and three western connections. The road is almost wholly out of debt; having only to pay such bills as accrue from week to week.# No bonds have been issued, and none will be, to/ any greater extent than SIO,OOO a mile in Illinois and Indiana. Bonds are not to be negotiated at less than 90 cents on the dollar, payable in gold with exchange on Liverpool. Every effort will be made to build thisYoad without bonding it.

On arriving at Crown Point, 42 miles southeast, the excursionists were met by Messrs. Z. Summers and M. A. Halstead. Carriages had been provyied and the distinguished visitors were at once driven to Lowell, 12 miles southwest. It had been anticipated that the citizens would be addressed in regard to the undertaking, but this part of the programme was omitted for want of time. Dinner having been done justice to, the excursionists re-entered the carriage preparatory to a 30 mile drive over uncomfortably rough roads, and on a very cold afternoon. z Cedar Lake, 6 miles was the objective point, and it was reached in about an hour and a quarter. Grading along this sheet of water is in progress, and on an eminence overlooking the site of the depot that is to be, a halt was made. The view was entrancing, and the Kentucky Governor grew very enthusiastic. The lake is about 3 miles long and 1 mile in width, the water being clear as crystal. Thousands of ducks, principally mallard and teal, floated on its surface, while immense flocks of the same birds were to be seen high in air. A large flock of wild swans was noticed in the northeast corner, and many of these birds were also seen migrating southward. The lake has an average depth of about 10 feet, and its waters contain fish of all species. On learning that the mills at Lowell were fed by this lake, Goy. Magoffin alluded to the utilizers as barbarians, and not blessed barbarians by any means. The officers propose to have the road completed to this point early next spring, and, in order that Chicagocitizens may have the benefit of the beautiful locality for summer residences, intend running Pullman, cars hourly that far. A rumor also pi evails that a fashionable hotel is to be erected there at an early date. Before leaving, the sheet of water was christened Lake Calypso by the visitors. From here the new road was followed, as closely as practicable, for abbut 20 miles, the excursionists passing through the village of St. Johns, and, leaving the road at Dyer, finished their carriage drive at Schererville, a station six miles north of Crown Point. An informal meeting was held here while waiting for the train. Gov. Magoflim being called on, stated that the South Atlantie road had a 1 ’resident who would give dignity and character to the whole route. They knew this from what he had already accomplished. The speaker referred to the road ns a great concentrating link that would bima the people of the Northwest and Southeast together. This link would command the attention of the country at large, and interested people being dependent upon each other for the interchange of lheir products.

The Rev. W. S. Steward acknowledged that the experiences of tlie day had been to him a series of very pleasant surprises, especially the magnificent agricultural country through which they had passed the thrift of the farmers, and the village of Lowell, a promising town of 600 inhabitants. He was also delighted with Cedar lake, which was destined to become a popular summer resort. The amount—of—work that had been don£ on the road was beyond his expectations, and increased his faith in the speedy completion of the enterprise. Mr. Robert Rae had not much to add. He would state, however, that the improvements appeared to be of the most substantial character. Twenty miles of scientific grading and durable bridges, through a riph agricultural district, with straight lines and slight grade gave promise that that portion of the road would be fruitful and productive. It was very gratifying that what had been done was paid for, and the road was entirely out of debt. President Haymond was explaining how the harbors on the seaboard would be utilized by the people of the South and West by means of this link, when the express train was announced, and the excursionists started on the return trip, reaching the city in safety shortly before 9 o’clock.— Chicago Tribune.

Railroad Prospects.

We learn from the President of the Chicago & South Atlantic railroad company that it is highly probable that the link between Monticello and the Kankakee river will be let to contractors inside of ten days. If so, all the route from Delphi to Chicago will be under contract. The contract from Dyer to Englewood has been awarded to N. E. Davisson, of Chicago, who will be able to carry it to completion before cold weather. Negotiations foi the iron (good T rail) are about to be closed, and all looks well for the enterprise. Monticello Constitutionalist- '' The coal measures of some dealers are truly wonderful—-1,800 to the ton.