The Grange advance., 1874-04-29

a sixteen PAN RamQ9Aet y nelA2
circulated throug tout the State by the
"Ceutral Committee Of the Autobiography
Party of Minnesota" which presents IN
ingsniously disested review Of che doinss
and acts of the last lsgislature. Putting out
of view the partisan and political features
Of the document, these gentlemen certainly
deserve hearing on the facts presented
Among all the questions which at this
time present themselves to. the thoughtful
mind none deserve closer attention than the
great question Of cheap transportation. 1t
presses itself so forcibly upon the mind OF
the farmer that he finds involved in it's solu-
ton prosperity or adversely to himself. Ev-
cry man is interested in the settlement Of this
important matter, and he cannot afford to
treat it with indifference. The margin Of
profit from farming is 80 small at best, that
slight variation in prices, brought about
by wheat buying and railroad rings, makes
to the farmer the difference between q
tolerably successful or unsuccessful
season. If by the present system these
men have the power to raise or zkl3er the
price of wheat several cents Hef b Phel at
the season when the farmerfs fo1ced to
sell, it is a dangerous power q nd SHOULD be
brought under healthy controk
There are so many arguments to ahd fro
touching this subject that the best thing
we can do is to advise every reader Of The
| GRANGE ADVANCE to make the subject a
personal study, and be prepared when the
! time comes to act, to be enabled to do 50
intellisently and firmly.
| The theory that the lands granted for
| the construction Of roads were to enrich
individuals or companies is absurd. 1t
was bonus to enable the roads to run at
reasonable rates until settlements and in
crease Of business made their condition
equal to non-land- grant roads.
The following are extracts taken from
the pamphlet above referred to:
| REGULATION OF FARES AND FRE1GHTs on
RAILROADS.
This was the great question of the ses-
sion. In 1871 the Legislature passed a
law fixing rates for transportation upon
different classes of freight. This law was
a step in the right direction, but the rates
| were unequal and unjust to the farmers
for the benefit Of the lumber manufacturers
Of the State. The law was never enforced
| by the Republican SAte authorities, and
finally some Of the merchants of Rochester,
Miun., combined in suit against the Wino-
no & st. Peter Railroad Co. to test the con-
stitutionality of the law The Supreme
Court Of the State affirmed its constitution
ality, and held tha: the Legislature had
the right, in the case of that Company, to
prescribe rates Of charge on freight and
passengers.
Here was the great victory gained in fa-
vor of the people. 1t was expected that
that law would have been preserved; espe-
cialiy as the suit under it had been carried
to the Supreme Court Of the United States
that it would be amended as to details
AND ENFORCED. Instead Of that thu Legis-
lature has swept it all away, and atbAtitut-
ed an entirely different syste4 in its
| place. 1
There was doubtful proprietk fin repeal
ing this law. The people either have or
have not the power BY the Legislature and
courts to control interstate railway trans
portation, and while the law was in course
Of being settled by the highest court it was
unwise to sweep it out Of existence
| We felt it duty to bring this question
! before our readers in order to have the
whole subject calmly investigated.
The pamphlet has much to complain of,
but in representative government there is
but limited room for legitimate complaining
If the farmers who are largely in the ma
jority, and control the bala ice of power,
send men to the Legislature who are un-
qualified to properly manage their interests,
or are Of such plastic material as to yield
to Aattery, the parties Of the first part
should bear their wrongs with fortitude,
and take censure to themselves for the care
lessness Of the selections. So long as the
farmers refuse to take in hand the manage.
ment of their own affairs, so long will they
have evils to endure and Of which to com
plain. Not that we have any course OF
particular line Of action to propose, further
than what we believe to be the teachings
of our noble Order, ,-tha, every man should
Is duty to himself, to his family, and te
the State. learn to think and act for him.
self; Keeping the plowshare of the mind
bright by deep thinking and active use."
4
A Few Words on Gardening.
BElL1S, April 2lst, 1874.
AS the time is at hand for making gar.