Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1898 — Electric Railroad Again. [ARTICLE]

Electric Railroad Again.

Its*Demands Are Not Unreasonable. A L» Ifi'i- r;-'»in Secretary Matchette. The Rochester and Monticello papers have been raising a great howl about the proposed electric railroad lately. We think we can size the cause of the howls up pretty accurately, in both cases. Rochester never had much show for the road, being too far from the direct line. Besides they think they have a sure cinch on the big Findlay, Ft. Wayne and Western, without any cost. Therefore they care not enough for the electric rood to meet the reasonable requirements to secure it. Therefore seeing that it is lost to them they abuse it, the same as the fox yelled sour grapes. In respect to the Monticello papers the case is altogether different. The people there are determined to have the road, and especially those in the north part of White Uuunty, and we believe the papers there are trying to work a bluff on other towns. They disparage the road and its prospects in the expectation of discouraging other towns, and thus giving Monticello a clear field. They expect that what they say against the road will be republished in their rival towns, and thus discourage the people of those towns from working for the road. It is a shrewd scheme and is really working well. Already enough of what they have said has been republished here in Rensselaer, Monticello’s most formidable opponent, to very much.chill the enthusiasm of our people. It is a very shrewd scheme, truly. One of the chief grounds for their pretended kick, is that the projectors of the road are now demanding a Ik) fSol right of way, whereas their first requirement was only for 50 feet. The appended letter from Mr. Miitchette explains this matter very plainly. They ask for only 50 feet right of way in • ordinary level country, bi t where there are big bluffs and hills to cut down, they want 66 feet, and the demand is very reasonable. In no place in Jasper Co., would more than 50 feet be needed. Another alleged ground for kicking is because the projectors ask for money to pay for making the profiles after the surveys are run. Now the fact that the}’ asked to have the su ways and profiles paid for has been understood here fiom the start; and the cost of both has been guaranteed not to exceed $lO per mile. Another demand that seems to us entirely reasonable. And yet one other alleg ’d cause for telling the road to “go to tliun | dvr" is found in the demand that before it will be definitely located over any given route, the company must have an agreement, signed by responsible men, that the right of way through the township or county will be provided, free of cost, and grounds for power houses and stations. These strike us also, as' entirely reasonable demands. If; Rensselaer, Remington and Jnsiwr county generally can secure this road by meetings these alleged ex- ! tbrtionato requirements, it will be j the best bargain fordhe money they I ever run ujfragainst. Dr. Matchette’s letter, referred j 1 to above, is here given. Botirlon, Ind., Jan 12,1895. R. R. Committee: Rensselaer, Ind. Gentlemen:—Will your people, be' ready for the surveying crew I within a fortnight or so? If so kindly advise us, apd have the outside townships eastward and to the southwest ready also.’" The cost of the survey and esti-, mates and profiles will be abont' SIO.OO per mile and should be provided, ready to pay to chief of the

survey when he passes through the townships. If the survey proves the route desirable, which is reported most admirable, in every respect, the route will be adopted, provided the right of way, 50 feet wide, is donated, promptly. If the territory should be very bluffy, and high hills to grade down the width of right of way for that blufty section should be about 66 feet io enable proper work to be well done for the road bed. The proper committee should be appointed to attend to all this, near you, will you kindly look after this preliminary work and when all is ready for survey notify this’office and surveyors will be at once put to work over your line. All is encouraging for the enterprise anti the speedy construction of the roatl will soon be an assured consummation. • Very Truly,

A. C. MATCHETTE.