Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 117, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1909 — Some Thoughts For the Rensselaer Voters to Consider. [ARTICLE]

Some Thoughts For the Rensselaer Voters to Consider.

The election is close at hand and the campaign has been a very nice one, without any mud slinging methods of campaigning, but each candidate seems to have been making an effort to see the voters and present to them their claims for support. The Republican has reviewed the republican ticket a time or two, giving weil deserved praise to the candidates, and now, that the campaign is nearing a close, some pertinent suggestions might not be amiss. For mayor George F. Meyers seems to possess every requirement. He has had extensive business experience and is regarded as a cautious and exacting man in managing the details of any business matter. He has served only about a year on' the city council but during that time he has been one of the foremost members in safeguarding the interests of the public and every taxpayer has felt that George Meyers was their tried and true friend and could be depended upon in any matter, fcis own interests as a propowner in city, surburban and farm property has and should continue to assure all that he will always be vigilent in the Interests of all the people. He has had but one object in his mind during hi* term of service and that has been to serve the people honestly and fearlessly against the efforts of outside interests.

■lt is not the intention of this article to say a single word against any democratic capdidate, and in discussing the opposition candidate for mayor, we simply wish to get the voters to consider both men in their outside business relationships with the,utmost fairness. No one would gainsay the personal traits of excellency that characterize “Billy” Beam. We all like him and if we were running -a candidate for the most populur man in Rensselaer,* there would be an avalanche of votes in his favor that vtould get him all the blue ribbons. But the mayorality office is not a popularity prize. It is an office that requires the services of a business man, one centrally located and in a position to devote a part or all of his l ime every day to the affairs of the city. Mr. Beam is an employe of the Monon railroad, the greatest corporation that exists in Jasper county, a railroad owned and operated by the J. Pierpont Morgan interests. Within the next year that road will want to recontract with the* city of Rensselaer for water for its tanks. Would it be a. good idea to have the city’s chief executive the agent of the railroad in a case of that kind? .There is no telling what may happen within the next four years that will create a discussion between the city of Rensselaer and the Mopon railroad. One of the interurban roads now admission to this city may want to cross the Monon right-of-way. In a case of that kind would it be prudent to select for the head of the city’s government the agent of the Monon railroad?

This is not an imaginary matter. There are almost certain to be things occur within the coming four years that will make the city of Rensselaer want to feel decidedly independent so far as the Monon railroad is concerned, end could it feel this way if the focal agent of the Monon railroad was the Mayor of the city of Rensselaer? These are matters for the voters and the tax payers tQ consider. What would you do if you were to have' personal claims against the Monon railroad? Would yoif leave it for settlement to a man who works for the railroad or would you select an outside man who did not look to that railroad for his living? Think these things over and vote without regard to your friendships but vote according to your business judgment. Friendships won’t suffer.