New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-16
MINNESOTA POLITICS.

hI'NDSOIH IOLifftp.
GROWTH or IHE FARMERS M0VEMENT-FOUR HUN
DRIED ORANGES IN ExIsrENCE-TBE CHANCES
For THE sENAToRsHIP-RAILRoAD LEGISLATION
IRON AsoCCAsIoNAL CORRESPONDENT OF rHE rRiBUsE.I
MISNEAPoLIs, Mimi, Jan. Git is q hard
matter for the Republicans OF this State TO realize the
fact that Their power waning and that there is every
Indication that next elections they will represent
strong minority. The fact IL. the Farmers Move
ment In Minnesota has attained proportions during the
past months that one not even the farmers them
selves ever dreamed Of Minnesota has, heretofore,
been counted upon for uniform majority ior the Re
pubeaDs varying from TO 10000 IL seemed impos-
sbe that 10 could oee its ascendency indeed when res
Farmers party into existence last year is leaders
did not entertain idea OF gaming any OF the ofces
for some time 20 come. But variety OF things com
bined 10 give them Immediate and available strength
The force they displayed the late elections encouraged
them and they have recruited extensively within the
past few months In many instances they elected their
members OF the Legislature and county officers, ana
having reduced the Republican majority IN the State
from 10000 a paltry 900 600, they have gained
courage and that strength which In born OF success
There arc now 400 Grangcs IN the State with a
membership exceeding 10000 New Oranges are
being organized at the rate OF hVe 10 Ten
a week, ard old Oranges are Increasing
their membership very rapidly. The Farmers came
within Of securing the Speaker Of the Legs
would have been successful They have also secured
several Senators 10 that on Joint ballot the Republicans
have majority Of only 50 ~ place OF their customary
u.s. The strongest aud abcs menbcrs OF the Senate are
Changers and they have already taken the lead Don
nelly and wilkinson, the ono formerly member OF
Congress and the latter lately United States Senator
were elected by the Changers and lose no opportunity
10 talk economy and rerenchment Indeed, the whole
political atmosphere is redolent of dcmagogy and
eycophantc crngiug to the power which seems TO
be in the ascendant
THE SUCCESSION SENATOR RAssEY
Then too the question who snail be next United
States Senator in place Of Alexander Ramsey enters
largely into politics this Winter. Mr.. Ramsey Is
said to have secured election in rather Pone-
royan manner, and investigation which would re-
veal method by which it done would be the last
thing woud But he Ia candidate for reelec-
ton Winter and the campaign has already begun
There numerous other asprants among whOm may
be mentioned, permanent candidate for any poltl
cal honOrs any side OF the fence, Ignatus Donnely
present State Senator e1Goy. Horace Austin present
Gov O. X. DAVIS; exGov. Marshall; ex-United States
Senator wilkinson; and the Hon. W. 8. Wasbburn. All
these gentlemen have hopes. Another feature which
assists In keeping the political cauldron Doiipg,
ia the possibility that next Fall successor viii
be required TO Representative Averill The General
would doubtless reelected If he desired but Is Is
understood that he will again be candidate. He Is
largely engaged in the business Of manufacturing paper
and is reported that he desires TO give his attention III
future to his private affairs II no should decline re-
nomination, Minneapolis Will claim the candidate, and
thusi revive all tho political riveries and jealousies
which spring up between this city ana st. Paul when
ever there political plum TO be pulled out OF Uncle
Sans pudding Who the candidate Will be Is uncertain,
but it that half dozen await Gen. Aver
ils decision 1t fair to them, however, to that
do believe OF them contempates opposing him
in the slightest provided ne decides to again.
RAILROAD LEGISLATION PROPOSED.
Our Legislature Will be employed TO great extent
this Winter in railroad legislation The main question
has any control over the railroads
whatever. Subordinate this the questions OF
railroad tariffs for freight and passengers, taxation OF
It's lands stocks and bonds, payment OF railroad DO
muses. Then, too, the question VIII come up whethef
not nearly all OF our state roads have iofleltea
their charters noncompliance with their conditions,
and whether, II the State shall take possession Oh
such roads, make new contracts with them Gov
Davis has sounded the alarm IN MS message an" Poleu
the law in these matters winch fact ne Grangers
in the Legislature will not be slow TO avail themselves
OF Husbandry, held a month ago. com
up railroad tariff bill and present to the Legislature
This has been DONE and the bill it Is needless to cay,
vepy dlstastefu to those corporations There bitter
hostility between tue farmers OF thus state ana tue roads
and the roads are largely 10 blame Tor H. single aet
of theirs last did to embiter people than
all they had ever done before The Chicago and North
tutng monopoly combined 30 raise the price OF carry
ing wheat from Minnesota TO Milwaukee from Is 10 Il
cents per bushel Our people had Thought IL cents
rather TOO much this sudden OF which no notice
was given and from which there was no appeal created
a storm OF indignation which swept through
the entire State, aud did to strengthen the hands
OF the Changers than any other one thlng; we were
deugng win wheat, aud out OF our bount
full harvest they coming money. When protest
against increased presented the managers
simply said they wanted the money, and having
the power raise IL in this way, they proposed TO 90 H.
And they did The day the tariff went into effect
the price OF wheat In market towns fell three cents
per bushe We had 2 100000 Bushels OF wheat TO send
10 market of which had OF necessity 10 so to Chi
cago or Milwaukee is way 10 the seaboard IL es
timated that by this mandate the railroad com
took at out Of the pockets OF the
farmers and put into their Ii touched each inds
yidual farmer, and indignation against railroads Is
general. - -,
Another point for legislation this Winter will be the
Temperance question. large party In tho State de
mands OF "a law similar 10 that OF Onio,
which makes saloon keepers responsible for the acts
OF the drunkard do not think this viii pass for the
reason that Minnesota has very large foreign popula
ton which looks with disfavOr upon any legislation Cal