The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-12-03
FACTS AND FANCIES.

WINTER WEATUER.-Winter has come at last.
We have had several slight snow storms the
past week, and the heavy fields of ice moving
slowly. give indication Of the speedy compile
ton of our annual four months bridge across
the great river. The winter sun shines brightly
hut coldly from a sky close down toward tue
horizon, giving out the prismatic colors through
the cOngealing waters; but whether these bright
lines belong to the golden ethics that under
line all human relations" we q,ust leave to our
young friend the metaphysician who writes
from Redwood Agency. to decide. 4 little more
snow. and our winter business and winter sports
commence.
liIGM FREIGHTs.-The st. Anthony Democrat
complains Of high freights on the river near
the close ofnavigation. If in time of low wa
ter and cold weather steamboatmen could af-
ford to transport passengers and -four rs cheap
as at times when all the elements are prop-
| tons. there would he reason in the complaint.
| When deck hands will not work for less than
$50 month. and other expenses rise in pro-
portion. boats cannot transport as cheaply as
when expenses take q range at half the height
We are not aware that the Galena boats have
| adopted any rule in the particulars referred TO,
| not common to all transportation lines, or not
followed by other boats in the trade aIena
.7dr
The complaint in this particular against the
Galena Packet Company has been very general
among our business men. They do not com
plain of being compelled to pay reasonable
advance over hielI-water prices. but .fcur ami
FIRE hundred per- cent. our folks think was cut
ling it little too fat: Wages upon the boats
advanced not mere than one hundred per cent,
and the loss of time occasoncd by low water
was probably equal to twenty-five per cent.
more An advance in freight to cover these
additional expenses upon the last boats
would not have been complained Of
! RoAD TAX.-Thc miscrably loose way in
which the financial affairs of Ramsey County
are managed. through the people having placed
them under the control of incompetent men,
has been forcibly illustrated the past season by
the management of our road business The
Commissioners with the names of hundreds oil
thoroughly competent men before them, who
would have been glad to accept the place, an,
pointed in the stead of such as these favorite
by the name of Gauthier-pronounced in the
French Canadian patois, Gokey. At the out.
set he did not comply with the law. by filing a
isl OF those legally required to work the roads
OF pay tax and throughout his career he has
rarely given legal warning to a solitary citi.
zen. On sonie occasions he has comprom;scd
with individuals. discharging them from their
liability for less sum than the law con,er,
plates. So illegal were all his PROCEEDINGS the
past summer, that when citizens discovered hi.
course, most of them refused, very properly, +,
obey his mandates, preferring to stand suit
Gokcy sued large number. but so far has beer
foored in every trial that has taken place
and the others, should he insist upon having
them tried. will doubtless go the same way
We do not wish to be understood as intimatipe
there is the least idea or intention on the par
OF the Supervisor to act dishonesty in the pre-
misses +; the trouble all grows out of lack o.
judgment and information proper to discharge
'he aa'ies OF even this small office. Meantime
'ne people have bad roads, besides being com.
pei,eo 70 pay dearly for Mr.. Gokey's schooling
IN the way of costs, &c. BY and bv thew viii nj
he apt to exercise more care and d;.ce,nm.n,
upon election days. 49,