Demagogism Runs Wild in Chester

              Demagogism Runs Wild in Chester. 
   Because the Village Board objected to Mr. Ball renting his building to the Town Board and he receiving the $80.00 per year instead of the village, he wants to "trim the board," as he puts it, and is using all kinds of untrue and ridiculous arguments. 
   First, it is not true that the writer is to blame for the Erie not taking water at Greycourt. Mr. Ball says he told the Erie officials that I tried to jack up the water rents on them to $2,000. The fact is, I was not in the board when original contract expired and had nothing whatever to do with the matter. 
   It is not true that the present board accepted a $400 bond from the treasurer when he handled about $5,000. The fact is, that the bond was executed before Mr. Ball and it is for $5,000. 
   It is not true that there was a prior plan submitted by Erie which was drawn to conform to Mr. Delafield's ideas and in this plan all buildings in the yard were to be removed. The fact is that there has been no plan submitted that called for the removal of any buildings at all with the exception of what is known as the Borden building. 
   It is not true that the Erie intends to build flower beds, etc., where they now get their business. 
   The fact is they are going to take care of Chester to the best advantage of all concerned. 
   But why go on? Mr. Ball stands discredited on every statement he has made in so far as the writer has heard. 
   Now I have faith in the great majority of the people of Chester and believe that you want and will insist on fair play. 
   Remember that for the past 20 years there have been certain people working against all public improvements, namely, Water, Corporation Building, Telford Streets, Electric Lights, Etc., and to a man they are all supporting the so-called Progressive Party, whose petition signers represent less than eleven per cent of the taxable property of the village. 
   On Dec. 10, 1909, the following petition, signed by 160 odd people, representing probably 95 per cent of the taxable property, was submitted to the Erie officials: 
   "Our attention being called to the fact that your road contemplates adding twelve feet to the east end of Chester Depot and something like same to west end, would say that we as business men, taxpayers and citizens, are unalterably opposed to this plan, and respectfully ask you to build a new depot suitable to the needs of your patrons. If you cannot see your way clear to give us a new depot at once, why we would much rather wait any reasonable time for it than have the present building extended as proposed." 
   There were only seven men in Chester who were requested and refused to sign it, and to-day six of them are enthusiastically supporting the so-called Progressive ticket. 
   Draw your own conclusions why they are so doing. Had the present Village Board not vigorously protested, the Erie Co. would have spent about $2,000 on the old depot, and would not be offering to spend $12,500 in our village to-day. 
   The latest plan of the Erie is to put in the contemplated improvements, with the exception of the under grade crossing, and that is left until the Public Service Commission takes the matter up, and then the State will furnish its 25 per cent of the cost, the railroad company its 50 per cent, and the town the remaining 25 per cent, as required by law. The Village of Chester will not be required to contribute one dollar for this purpose, although Mr. Ball states that it must pay $6,250. This is a matter which is determined by the Public Service Commission and over which the village has no control. 
 
GEO. M. ROE.