The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-12

alaass,
Most Of the neighboring States which COM
peta with US fer imnigratiou are erecting sep
arate buildings upon the Centennial grounds
for the exclusive display Of their own pro.
ducts Would it mot be = matter of policy for
Minnesota to follow that example T. As it is
lifetime Of any person now in existence,
SO it is not likely that the century will furnish
another occasion justifying SO clearly an ade-
quateE expenditure for the realization of its
highest purpose. The matter is commended
to your consideration, with Recommendation
of such prompt and just action as will secure
the end desired. .
IMMIGRATION
In this connection invite you to inquire
whether the time has not arrived for the re-
newal of a systematic annual effort for the en-
couragement of immigration. In a young
frontier State, recognizing labor as its prime
necessity, there can be few more legitimate
objects OF legislation than those which con-
template the early peopling of its unoccupied
territory and the culture Of its idle soil. While
I deem a creditable display Of Our products at
effort toward that object, ! suggest that in
connection Herewith a revision of the State
Immigration pamphlet so as to embrace the
latest statistics pertaining to population, crops
schools, lands, railroads, &C., with adequate
means for its wide distribution, would provide
an effective aid toward the desired purpose.
The circulation of that modest volume has &C.
complshed excellent results in the past.
It is concise and forciblc exhibit of our
resources, progress and advantages, and its
accurate statistics and dispassionate state
ments afford information most desired by in
telligent and industrious, settlers, without
lending encouragement to that restless aud
undesirable class who are attracted by over
wrought statements, and become, through
subsequent discomfort, rather a hindrance
than a help to the State. We should not for
get that the location of our State above the
central current Of travel through which i'm
migrants move, renders double effort on our
part necessary to obtain our just share Of inn
migration Besides, the persistent and sys-
tematic efforts of other States, and of paid
agents in the interest of powerful railroad
combinations; have resulted in the diversion
of much immigration destined for Minnesota,
to more central and southerly ATTITUDES. From
this cause Kansas, upon smaller basis, shows
an actual gain of population greater than that
of our State during the past five years.
TREE CULTURE.
It should he your aim, by counteraction Of
the immigration to which she is justly entitled,
both by great advantages and superior prosperity.
AS closely connected with the question of immi-
treeculture as one Of vital importance 1t may
well be doubted whether any question so largely
experimental is fraught with the promising solu-
ing to % Successful s agriculture RSe promotion Of
feasible and easy general growth of forest trees
would remove the greatest obstacle to the settle
art territory and co s the
great wheat areas Of the Northwest That the
cultivation OF young groves of natural origin, as
we'll as those Of planted trees, has already been
followed by most salutary results elsewhere, is
sufficiently demonstrated BY the fact that the
prairie States of Iowa and Illinois, after largely
furnishing fuel for their rapidly increasing p9pu.
when the first pioneers settled within their
limits. In our own State the results of com.
parativey brief trial favorable as to justify
4 The enterprise Of the First Division St. Paul &
Pacific Railroad Company and the intelligent zeal
Of Hon. Leonard B. Hodges, it's capable Superb
tendent, as shown in their practical achievements
in tree culture, are worthy of all commentator.
deem this subject Of 60 much Importance that
invite you to inquire what further action you may
judiciously take in furtherance OF the practical
results aimed at.
Owing to a recent decision of the Commissioner
Of the General Land Office, the congressional act
prairies,S approved March Sd, ls7s and favorably
amended the following year ls threatened with
the defeat Of all practical use: -
ranted construction Of the provisions Of that act
be the best and most practicable means, is moi
trees be actually transpianted, which; with some
Of the most valuable hard woods, is known to be
impossible. 1t is difficult to comprehend how 9
11ng SO at less with the intent
could be seriously made.
need not repeat that the matter is of great
importance to our State. considerable amount
of do hov toy $hssao ~,
question, and both because Of the general welfare
involved, and in justice to the settlers, who have
acted in good faith in the expenditure OF their
labor and care, l recommend that you promptly
memoriaiize Congress to SO amend the law as to
insure . practical result to its intention.
MURDER TRIALS. -
direct your attention to that provision of the
present. law relating to trials for murder which
gives to juries the discretionary power to deter
mine the character of the punishment to be in.
aicted, as we'll as the guilt Of the accused. In
my Judgment the operation OF that law has not
, Considering the grave and complicated nature
of the duties of jurors in such cases, think the
simple finding OF the facts in the case is as much
as ought to be expected of them, leaving a de-
terminate result to follow in all cases.,
Whatever may be thought of that treatment OF
the good Of offenders as we'll as OF the society
against which they offend, I am satisfied that
capital crime deserves capital punishment, and
believe that justice and expediency alike de-
mand such an amendment of the existing law a.
will secure that end.
THE TAX LAW.
My attention has been called to one feature Of
the present effective tax law that is liable to work
great hardship. In case OF absence, sickness, OF
other cause preventing payment Of taxes when
due the owner is liable to loss of his property by
accident or inadyertency, there being no definite
and uniform date fixed, terminating the allotted
period of redemption, wncih is dependent upon
the action of the authorities in the counties
suggest that the law be so amended as to re-
quire timely and conspicuous notice to be given
qucnt property, similar to the requirement in
other States in like cases.
INSANE AND INEBRIATE AsYLUMs.
The report of the State Board of Health
abounds in valuable information and advice. ]