Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-01-11

ton and destruction of locust eggs bv the pal-
Ion or bushel and for the catching of the
young insects, with rewards to be graded to
their age and size, the expense to be amor.
toned and borne equally by the State and by
the several counties and townships immedi-
ately concerned: To aid in the preparation
Of law of this character various recommen-
dations relative to the bounties to he offered
and other practical details may be found in
the pamphlet referred to. In perfectinq the
details OF such bill discrimination should
be made, ipracticable, in favor OF such coun-
ties and townships as by reason of the success
impoverished to support their share of the
burden. furthermore recommend o careful
revision Of the present game laws in order to
forbid the wholesale destruction of such birds
as render valuable assistance by feeding upon
eggs and insects; and suggest that town
ships he authorized to tax themselves for the
construction of extended protective bitches
struction of prairie grass to the end that the
young insects which seek its protection may
be destroyed by its seasonable burning. Iaf-
so ask you to enquire whether it might not he
advisable to offer reward for the invention of
the cheapest and most effectual machine for
ny commission OF experienced men. more
over direct your attention to the recommen-
datlon OF the conference respecting an exam
nation or survey of the state ssto ascertain
just those portions of each county in which
the eggs are most thickly laid, with a view
to proper preparation for threatened injury
ana thorough organization for intelligent CO.
operation. FOR this and other purposes it will
be observed the conference recommended the
appointment OF commission to visit the sew
eral Localities and report the result of their
observations; but it occurs to me that this SER
vice might perhaps be performed with more
sa1ls1actlon and economy and equal efficiency
9y persons to be appointed by the commits:
sloners OF the several counties or other local
authorities of the districts Immediately in
volved, and therefore prefer to refer the
whole matter to your supervision. call your
1urther attention to the recommendation OF
the conference that in the event of the APP
pointment OF a National commission for the
Investigation Of the locust problem, each. of
the interested States and Territories appoint
commissioner for cooperation with such
National commission. I think it would he
wise to appoint such commission for this
State i'll the event named.
With respect to the question of granting
the aid OF the State in any shape to past or flu
| ture sufferers, the many considerations in
volved constrain me to speak with much
| as have sustained but one or even two years
! loss OF crops, or whose territory has been but
partially devastated, submit that every in
stinct of self respect, of expediency, Justice
| and common humanity should impel such
| counties to the maintenance of the afflicted
within their own limits, either through ex-
| listing provisions for the care of the county
poor or through such agencies as may be pro-
| vlded. But in such counties as have been
totally ravaged tor four successive years, such
q course is impractlcable. In these all alike
are poor and the levy of taxes instead of bur-
dening the strong to help the weak, simply
comes back upon the sufferers themselves
who are already overborne in the struggle
tor the direst necessaries Of life. Hence
a serious problem demands urgent So
luton. generous, Christian people
cannot ignore their claims or be blind to their
suferings. And just here the danger lies.
Poverty and deprivation are incidents of from
tier lite at its best. With a general distribu-
ton OF aid, falling ultimately upon the prop
1 selves taxpayers, and asserting their rights
as such, and who have experienced inevitable
frontier hardships, but who are, nevertheless,
TAR from destitute, are tempted to share the
support intended only tor the utterly help
less. From this IT is but a step to habtual
begggary and but anotherto confirmed mendi-
cancy., Thus, by imperceptible degrees that
chief stay of an Independent people, become
undermined, and an irreparable injury is in
tlicted where kindness was intended. The
decentralization of a large class fully capable of
selt-support, becomes thus inevitable; and
know OF no more deplorable mistake, whether
Tor the community at large or for those
sought to he benefited, than such well-meant
but ill-advised tender Of assistance as newt
ably tempts the cupidity of the INSCRIPTIONS
and disables the willing hands of the worthy.
| Impressed with these considerations and
entertaining serious doubts of the constitu-
tutional power of the legislature to grant the
aid proposed, which are confirmed upon ex-
animation and reflection feel impelled to
firmly discountenance resort to that mode
Of frontier relief. But these difficulties and
objections, so far from absolving us from our
duty towards a people repeatedly afflicted
through no fault OF their own, If possible rem
der the more imperative our obligation to
sufferings. The first step to this end being
the possession OF the proper information re-
speeding the actual condition of such suffer-
ers, recently visited portion of the ravaged
territory, and by. minging with the people
around their straw-fres, witnessing their
scanty clothing and partaking of their scanty
fare, became thoroughly satisfied of their des-
tience under severe Affections. Most of the
discontinued and shiftless persons who were
disposed to resort to beggary having left the
| country, those who remain evince q tOrti-
| tude, self-reliance and Difference for each
] other in their doubtful struggle for existence
| such as entitle them to our tenderest consid-
| Grafton.
Impressed with the urgent necessity for i'm
| mediate action decided to make an appeal to
| the humanity and christian charity of the
people at large, and to that end issued printed
circulars to religious denominations and asso-
ciated and individual benevolence setting
forth the facts and asking their aid. To this
and have good reason to hope that much &C
tual suffering has been averted throughout
that portion of our ravaged frontier which has
suffered continuous devastation. Ii you could
properly supplement this by postponing tile
requirement for immediate tax payments, by
suspending the operation and renting the
severe penalties ofthe present rigorous tax law,
slight duties performed by the local officers in
these counties, by discriminating in their ia.
vor in the distribution ofthe internal improve
ment and other funds, and by other indirect
means of lessening their present burdens, you
could thus render practical aid to deserving
and long suffering people.
In this connection cannot refrain from
an expression of my severe reprobation OF
the practices OF class of money lOaners
who by their extortions and the merciless sac
ritice Of securities upon default OF borrowers,
add to the suffering these people; III In some
the farm OF nearly every resident encountered,
but scarcely COW horse team, or farming inn
plement uncovered by chattle mortgage, and
loaners often strip a helpless family Of its last
defense against impending starvation.
Another class OF oppressOrs of these people
are the agents of certain agricultural machines
from other States, VIII O, under fair promise of
great liniency toward buyers if unfortunate,
induce farmers to purchase more than they
need, taken from them, notes with peremptory
conditions, and then Immediately upon non
payment, enforce their memorable forfeit
ure. ~, r. '5E- - .-t+9%
/ am not aware that a practical remedy can
Respecting the first, it the penalty against
usurious interest were increased, and the
iorfeitlre Of the e,rcesS Facilitated the effect