The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-09-22
Paw Paw River Drain.
r.. A. Chase Has Another Reply to IL. A.
smith.

IuDllSneI L lie lluC MOI lllSl AACl
At the time of writing my reply TO
Mr.. Smiths article of August II did
not anticipate having anything fur
Their to say on the subject Of the much
discussed river drain, but "a he has
come back with the same kind of mis-
leading statements as in his previous
article and seems 20 have made a
studied effort TO misrepresent me and
my position in drain matters, you will
please pardon me for asking for a lit
tie more space in your valuable paper.
I will try to be as brief as possible.
III order that the public may know
how much weight TO give his state
ments in this drain matter, | will say
that there are at least five assertions
in his first article that are not true,
first, the amount of land in overflow;
second, the width of the river at flood
time; third, the amount of land that
would be drained should the river be
lowered as proposed; fourth, his say
ing that the entire township of WAY
erly was drained into this proposed
river drain; fifth, that he could prove
every assertion his article contained.
III my previous article l tried to
make it an object TO him to prove one
of these assertions if he could, but he
simply passes it by with a very tame
excuse and some sneering remarks
in trying TO make out that l am a
very much interested party and there
fore not qualified TO express an un-
prejudiced opinion on this river. He
drops into his usual delusion and says
some things that are not true. First
he says there are two public drains
laid across my farm. which is true.
Then he says the most valuable part
of my farm is land reclaimed by these
drains, which i not true, the truth of
which l can soon convince him, if he
will only come and examine. 1t is a
case of drains that don't drain.
Again he says that was the pro-
moter of at least one of these drains,
and that is not true, as NJ. +. Valleau
was the promoter of one and A. +.
Chase of the other.
As to the amount Of tax levied
against the township at large from
these two drains, I believe the per
cent is as low if not lower than any
of the drains within the township,
and not one cent Of that was put upon
the town by my request or suggestion.
He then says that I am one Of the
prime movers in the Brandywine
drain, and that am making an effort
to pull my pet scheme through, all of
which i false. I am interested in
the Brandywine drain just the same
as IN the river drain. and no more.
If they are dug I expect 10 help pay
for them. If were TO consult only
my own interests | should say Don I
dig them. But it Is my purpose to
always be fair. And now for the ben
eft of Mr.. Smith and those who are
talking through him | will state my
position on both the river and the
Brandywine drains. I signed the pc
titiou for the Brandywine drain ex-
pectiug at that time that the river
was 20 be cleaned out and some OF
the short bends cut off. and if that
was done then the Praudvyvi,,e should
receive the same treatment. This
much was in favor Of then and am
now, but anything going beyond that
I think is an imposition upon the peo-
pie, and in no case should be attempt
ed unless sanctioned by a good ma
jority of the people TO be affected.
As to the insinuating remarks which
Mr.. Smith makes, wish TO inform
him that I understand and appreciate
them, and also note the disposition he
has of returning favors which he has
previously received.
In closing this article will say that
l am sorry that it has been necessary
for me TO criticize Mr.. Smith so Sc
verely, but I have not gone behind
his back nor taken anyone's words
but his own, and he alone is respon-
sible.
L. a. CHASE.