Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1900 — The Present Railroad Situation. [ARTICLE]

The Present Railroad Situation.

• As a result of Mr. Gifford’s visit here Thursday, petitions have been prepared for another election in Barkley tp., and if the elections carries there, Mr. Gifford will build into Rensselaer at once, if the general sentiment of the people here is favorable. The majority against the road in Barkley at the previous election was only 22 votes and it is believed that if the matter is more fully presented to the voters of the township, enough will see it differently to carry the election in favor of the road. It is the intention to endeavor to get a majority of the voters of the township to sign the petition before it is pre'sented to the commissioners. Other petitions are also being prepared. One is for Jordan tp., on the basis that the road is to run near the center of the township and to go to Goodland. The route to Goodland is thought quite favorably of by Mr. Gifford, as it is practically on a direct line between Rensselaer and Danville, 111., which place he .has alwayS stated to be his final objective, southward. On that route it would pass through a very rich portion of Benton county, and which, at present is poorly supplied with railroads, and which would, for that reason, be likely to vote aid to get the road. Of course, Rensselaer people, for the most part will much prefer to see the road go through Remington, and Carpenter and it is the intention to give the people there another opportunity to secure the road. The matter was not well worked up there, at the previous election, and no doubt many voted against it under misapprehensions of varous kinds who would vote differently next time, if better informed. It is also thought that if a larger vote could be got out there the chances for the proposition cariying would be better. Conjointly with t>’e circulation of the new petition in Carpenter tp., it is also proposed to circulate petitions in Gilboa, Pine and Bolivar townships in Benton county. Two of these will be almost certain to vote for the road and the other quite likely to. In Carpenter as in Barkley, an effort will be made to secure the signatures of a majority of the voters to the petition.