The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-01-11

OF all matters perCalnlng 70 TIC OiSaA1aeWn
If connties will be especially seen in relation
to the establishment Ut election precincts
former law provided that upon the petition OF
ten resident voters in any unOrganlZed county
the Governor should proclaim and publish
the formal creation OF the precinct asked Tor
This law having been repealed, the voters IN
such counties were left without opportunity
10 exercise the elective franchise. In this
emergency the Governor has sought to AFFORD
such opportunity by temporary organlza'
ton OF the county in the appointment OF COM
missioners who, under existing laws, are au'
thorized to establish election precincts. ms
was done under the doubtful authority re-
erred to. which seemed to I've the on'y means
OF preventing the practical acknowledgements
OF leQalized voters. But it is obvious that be-
sides being liable to abuse such procedure,
in the event Of closely contested election,
might lead to serious trouble. | solicit yonr |
due consideration OF matter requiring law |
full regulation.
GRASSHOPPER QUESTION.
The extended and increasing destructive |
ness of the locusts or grasshoppers is mat
ter OF portentious and vital concern tor the IN
terests of agriculture. With constantly en-
croaching area, these insects now occupy more
| or less OF the vast rrgi0n lying between the
Mississippi river and the Rocky mountains
between Hudson's Bay and the guilt OF Mexico:
They invaded no less than sixteen States and
Territories during the past year, including,
indeed. seven States living east OF the Missis-
sippi Their mysterious habits, the celebrity
and evasive nature Of their flights, their IN
conceivable numbers, the illlmltable theatre
for their incur>lons and their Unsuitable rapac-
ity, combine to render them national scourge
which demands national remedy. Against
such an enemy, indeed, while it may be doubt
tul whether any human agency may avail, 1t
is certain that unless speedily checked, moth
ing less than the combined power ingenuity
L. ~ Cfofo Mari hn M.
cessful. In our own State, while there was
less complete devastation in any single local
ity in 1876 than in some prior years, the raw
ages OF the insects were more widespread
and their eggs deposited in greater increas-
ed area.
Deeply impressed with the gravity OF the
situation, applied myself to the collection
OF information and to the study OF the SUBJ
iect, by which was led to two principal con-
clusiOns.-frst, that SO far as concerns the In
sects Matching out in our own soil, 1t IS en-
trely practicable, by assailing them at every
) stage Of their existence. from embryo to ma,
turlty. to so tar exterminate them and guard
= against their attacks, as to secure substantial
: exemption from their ravages; second, that
: against the nll-fedged swarms which, un-
e heralded, swoop down upon US from abroad,
1 in such myriads as to defy human reckoning
b man, with all his resources, can but stand
: helpless and aghast. Acting promptly, pur-
: suant to my fist conclusion, embodied in
: the form of proclamation information OF the
e several expedients which had been found
d most successful and practicable, and which
had obtained by correspondence and pc rsonal
: consultation and observation, and caused the
: same to be extensively circulated through the
Is State, for the information OF those most di.
y recty interested. That the effect produced
Y was salutary, chiefly by the suggestion OF 9
e practical defence, and thus by awakening
d new hope among the sufferers received graf
re tying assurances from various quarters II
e our own and other States. With reference Il
l. my second conclusion, convinced OF the tu
d tilitv OF isolated effort, sought to enlist ;
)r tOmbned and simultaneous movement OF
l. the part of all the suffering States and Terri
m tories, and with this view invited to per
h sonal conference their several Governors a
=. well as scientific and practical men interested
r in the subject in the hope that by the collec
TO ion Of information and thorough utter
lie change of views a concert OF action might b
Is secured tor the enlistment of both State an
re national aid in turtherance of the end desired
a. Favorable responses having been obtnned IN
i'd conference took place at Omaha, Nebraska
r. on the 25th and 26th days OF October last, an
n in point OF attendance, in the interest and in
ut formation elected, the remedies suggeste
b. and the harmonious action secured, proved
in success beyond my expectations. Its Journ;
d. of proceedings together with it's several mode
he of action and its practical accommodation
n, will be seen in printed pamphlet whic
IL will be laid before you. To this publics
IT. ton and its various suggestions and recon
he mendations l ask your respectful. attention
he The action it contemplates to secu
CHI congressional aid has already been take
N. Pursuant to the further action of Il
We conference urging cooperative State legisl
he ton, and in view Of the facts already Gillette
be and the promise OF the practical results
ne which they point, | feel warranted in recon
in mending the passage OF a carefully prepir'
lid Law for the payment Of bounties orthe collie
n ton and destruction OF locust eggs by the
Mt lon or bushel and for the catching Of 4
nd young insects, with rewards to be graded
re- their age and size, the expense to be apo
toned and borne equally by the State and
It the several counties and townships immet
a ately concerned. To aid in the preparati
ing of law of this character various recomme
led dations relative to the bountie5 to be offer
rye and other practical de ais may be found
. at the pamphlet referred to. In perfectiDg t
too details OF such bill discrimination shou
Sis be made, if practicable, in favor OF such cou
md ties and townships as by reason of the succ'
ov- sive devastation already sustained, are
) OF impoverished to support their share OF
Der burden. | furthermore recommend care
ere revision OF the present game laws IN Order
nate forbid the wholesale destruction OF such BIZ
less as render valuable assistance by feeding UP
eggs and insects; and suggest that TOW
adj ships be authorized to tax themselves for
just construction of extended protective ditcl
iuct and OF fire guards against the untimely
lold struction OF prairie grass to the end that
: OF young insects which seek its protection n
q in be destroyed by its seasonabe burning
onal 80 ask you to enquire whether it might not
zon advisable to offer q reward for the invention
dar- the cheapest and most efectual machine
ness catching the unfiedged insects, to be aware
Dice by commission OF experienced men. mo
at over direct your attention to the recomm
acri- dation of the conference respecting an exa
our nation or survey of the state ITO ascert
the inst those portions of each county in VII
the eggs are most thickly laid, !" with =. v
to proper preparation for threatened mi
the and thorough organization for intelligent
for operation For this and other purposes It !
.uch be observed the conference recommended
4 to appointment OF commission to visit the 8
ming eral localities and report the result OF Il
old observations; but it occurs to me that this.
ided vice might perhaps be performed with 70
nent satisfaction and economy and equal efcie
. re- by persons to be appointed by the comm
mo- sioneis OF the several counties or other K
anv authorities of the districts Immediately
volved, and / therefore prefer to refer
eces- whole matter to your supervision. call y
has further attention to the recommendation
rcise the conference that in the event Of the