The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-08-17
SHAMEFUL SECTIONAL Sc LFISH
NESS.

SHAMEFUL SECTIONAL ELFISH
NESS.
There is a gap of about thirty miles
between the Main Line Of the st. Paul
& Pacific Railroad, at Breckenridge, and
the Northern Pacific Road. This gap
certain parties stood ready to complete
this spring. This would have given the
whole of the Main Line access to the
markets afforded by the Black Hills, the
forts of Dakota, the mines of Montana,
and eventually rail connection with Man
itoba. It would have added ten cents to
the market price OF every bushel OF grain
raised on the line of the road, to say
nothing of the increased demand for beef,
pork.e But some parties upon the line
of the St. Vincent Branch thought that
the building OF this little piece of road
would, in some way, interfere with the
construction of their long line from Mel
rose to Glyndon and SO they rushed
bill through the Legislature last winter
to make it a penal offence to build this
piece of road, declaring that if any par.
ties built it the St. p. & P. Co. should
forfeit their unbuilt road 1t was reg
ular dog-in-the-manger measure, and as
short-sighted as 1t was unjust. 1t is
evident that the best argument to induce
the Holland bond-holderS to build the
branches of the road is to satisfy them
that the main road is a paying invest
ment. If the St. P. & P. Co. can get
share OF the large business, now seeking
the Black Hills and the Yellow Stone,
and can thereby declare dividend, the
building OF the St. Vincent branch would
follow at once. But to paralyze and
cripple the Main Line and force all its
trade into the hands of the Northern Pa
cific, suicidal policy for all interested
in the road or any of its branches.
Not satisfied with passing the Gilman
bill. as it called, it is now proposed to
crush out those who opposed it. The
Todd County Argus issues It's declaration
OF war, and calls upon the voters along
the line OF the St. Vincent branch to or
ganize sort OF Sitting Bull campaign
against two worthy gentlemen whose
sole offence is that they refused to assist
this shallow piece of sectional intoler-
ance. ifthis policy is to be pursued it
will result in arraying the people along
the Main Line in concerted opposition,
without regard TO old party distinctions.
This is the Argus article:
THE PoRTv FIRST.
Our exchanges in the 4ist district has for the
past tw or three weeks been actively engaged
in discussing the legislative question. We no.
tice that each paper has fayorite candidate
and endsavors to solve the problem for bis
special benefit. We believe there il something
Of greater importance to be taken into coDsid-
Grafton at our next election than mere personal
aspirations however laudabIe they may be. In
our opinion, the railroad question stands first.
Il Is now conceded that the Gilman Bill pass
ed st the last session OF the legislature had the
effect intended. II prevented the building Of
the breckenridge cut of, causing the parties
who had money on .deposi. in the banks Of ~.
Paul to withdraw their capital from the enter
prise. The building Of this cut of would have
operated disastrously on th. interests Of the
counties Of Stearns, Pope, NTodd, Douglas, and
particularly Of Otter Tail, as It would defeat or
indefinitely postpone the completion Of the
railroad between Melrose and Giyndon; and on
the interests Of Benton, Morrison. Crow Wing,
Madena and Becker, in that it would have
operated in the same way on the Brainerd
bFauch. II has transpired that there will be .
strong effort put forth to repeal the Gilman bill
1t the coming session Of the Legislature. The
people ofthe 4lst Senatorial district should
therefore BE- concerned ~ TO who goes TO the
Legislature next winter. H. g. Page and S. G.
fcient representatives,, have been nominated IS
candidates for senatorial honors in this district
Thsy bysh have the same record on the Gilman
bill. opponents to the measure. ConStock,
from his location and the determined stand he
took against the bill, wonld naturally favor its
repaI, and even il be wished to, il would b.
| very hard for him to 60 back on his record
Page Also took position autagonistic 70 the bill
under the impression that the people Of Otter
Tail would hack him up in 1t. In this he was,
evidently mistaken;the paper that advocates bis
re-election oppoees the Brsckinridge cut-of
Hiseou0e would probably BE determined BY the
. sentiment Of Otter Tail county, and he could.
! il he would, 60 hack on his rvcosd with com.
I paxztive ease.
Before giving our support 70 any aspiran,
/ for senasoria. honors, ne wish 70 Know VIA,
(. his future eourse VIII b. on The railroad cnes
! ton, no matteg where be counss from or Nm
his name may Be. In oar opinion, il = ~
to the Interests d Todd aud ()tteg 1ail TIT ~
roNi from Aelrose 10 GlyDdon should b. con.
plssed N they should oppose any movsuen
| likely to prevent thai condensation Waderu
| and Becker are nearly - much Interested r
the cowpsesi0n u The Erainesd bezuch. = r
viii give them m1Ts disscs linz % he csufer,
oftE2dg sd popuiattOn e d. asDs, "a fn
/ ese1gs tie tmumgEo - tlDefr hcn(eS.
We 1y, Ii d. 0il0au biiI 6lnpd Let =