The Grange advance., 1874-12-22

RAILROAD LEGISLATION A FAMURE.
Mr.. Parsons thus speaks Of the pres.
ent railroad law:
The question Of transportation of
farm products to market, is as impor-
tant factor in agricultural economy us
the abundance or scarcity of the crop,
or the volume Of the demand for the
farmers produce. Our efforts nave
accordingly been directed heretofore
principally to the restraint, by law, of
the transportation companies in our
midst, and within our reach, to reason
able rates for carrying our persons or
our produce. In our own State law
has been enacted, and is now in force,
intended as remedy for the evil COM
planned of. The operation Of that law,
as now executed, is an actual aggrava.
ton of the evil. In many instances the
rates Of transportation, as fixed by the
Commissioners, are higher both ter per-
son and property, than before its en-.
actment. One end, however, is gained:
We hear now no more of chartered
rights above and beyond the power of
the Legislature to restrict. For rea.
sons obvious to the dullest understand.
ing, the corporations affected. with one
accord, make haste to yield ready
obedience to the behests of the Com
missioncrs. The fault of this condi-
ton of things is not to be found in the
provisions Of the law itself. but in the
execution of those provisions. The
measures which we had fondly haped
would in some degree afford a relief
from our burdens, has been turned
against US, and made an engine Of still
greater expressions. This seems to me to
be strange and unaccountable overture
Of justice. When the farmers of Min
nesota, who, either directly or Indirect
ly, make all the freights upon our rail-
roads, are left without a representative
Of their special interest on the Board Of
Commissioners, under the law enacted
at their instance and for their especial
relief, it looks either like an j ignorance
ofor wanton disregard Of ''the eternal
fitness of things.'' For this unsatisfac-
tory state of affairs I know of no imme.
diate remedy, but turn with hope
to the promise Of relief from
another quarter. As the reduc-
ton in the price Of goods and ma
chincry has been brought about chiefly
by stimulating competition; so, l be-
lieve, cheap transportation is to be ar
rived at by the same means. 10 effect
that object, I would improve and make
navigable all the practicable water
routes to the East and South OF us, and
make them active and powerful COM
petitors of the railroads for the carry
ing trade Of the great wheat-6eld Of the
Northwest. Above all, I would so i'm
prove the navigation of the Mississippi
river, the great natural highway Of the
continent, that no obstruction not
even tow boat company at its mouth,
should stand in the way Of unintcr-
rupted and cheap transportation of our
products to the sea. Another route,
affecting our interests, also, most di.
rectly, is the contemplated and partial
ly constructed improvement Of the
Wisconsin and Fox rivers, ana ship ca.
nal connecting the Mississippi river and
Green Bay. The projects are Of more
immediate Importance to us in this jur'
isdiction than any other, and I respect
fully recommend that some suitable &C.
tion be taken by the State Grange in
the premises, looking to an appropria-
ton by Congress for the completion Of
these improvements.
The subject of the storage Of grain,
and the receptacle in which to store it,
is question Of vital Importance to the
farmers of the northwest. Co.
operation in this, as we'll as in
many other respects, is the true
policy for our members to pursue.
Many considerations point to the build
ing Of Grange storehouses. 1t is by
far the cheapest method of storage. 1t
enables the farmer to take advantage of
the market. either to sell or withhold
at his pleasure, his grain being upon
the track or water course, ready for
shipment at any time; and, from that
circumstance, commanding q better
price than if delivered in wagon loads.
When so deposited in his own ware
house, his grain is still his own. Many
thousands of dollars have already been
saved by those who have had the cour-
age to embark in this enterprise, and |
cannot too strongly urge upon our mem
bers to do their own storage.
- OTHER MATTERS. -
Mr.. Parsons recommends the estab-
lishment of a school for the education
Of orphans of members of the order.
He recommends the following to be
placed on the Book Of, Records: ...,:.
In MEMoRIAN Brother William Paist,
Worthy Secretary of the State Grange oi
Minnesota, el1 died at St. Paul. October u.
He was elected Secretary Of the State
Grange on its ezsanizyaaion, February y2s,
and retsined the position at the date Of his