The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-10

LOYAL AIcNuILuFcS ~. l3U. lot
The following is general statement of
their business operations in this State during
the year:
Number of policies issued. .. 1902
Total cash premiums collected $44O.118
Total death losses paid .......... 2l9,O50
For more particular information under this
head you are respectfully referred to the
Commissioners report.
Before leaving this subject, however, de-
sire to direct your attention to an act OF the leg
islature OF last winter, in regard to the invest
ment of the capital of fire and marine insu-
rance companies, which l am convinced is
not only illiberal but unwise. l refer to the
act requiring these companies, as condition
precedent to doing business in the State, to
invest at least 500, 600 of their capital, re-
spectively, ia United States bonds.
Considering the difficulties already expe-
ne need In obtaining frst-class securities for
investment, except at such rates as to serious
~ impair the profits, a law which adds to
such difficulties without ensuring the ad-
erclse OF arbitrary power, not only uncalled
tor but detrimental to the interests of the
State.
To assumption upon which the law seems
to have been passed, that United States bonds
afford the only means of safe investment, is
wholly unwarranted by well known facts. II
State bonds are good enough for our school
fund whose security we watch so zealously, it
IS absurd and unjust to exclude them to any
extent IS insurance capital. The effect ofthis
provision will be to rule out about one third
OF the companies among which are some of
the best now operating IN the State and, as
an abundance of competitive capital is re-
qulslte to secure fair rates of insurance, the
deleterious effect is obvious l recommend
that the act in question be promptly repealed
or so modified as to correct its injurious re-
suits.
RAIL ROAD COMMISSIONER.
The report of the Rail Road Commissions
condenses large amount ofvaluable intorma-
ton into comparatively small space. II al
fords the following comparative summary of
the aggregate rail road traffic in the State for
al companies, the business year terminating
on the aoth OF June' r ,s* ely ,o-e
Gross earnings se,l egg 81 s5s 9 St, ooo, se7
Passg. CARRIED 1,ol2,5O6 ,213 l,l69,072
Tons grain NOV. 505,940 a72.Oe2 577'9ls
It will thus be seen that the railroad bust
ness aggregated larger amount, the last year,
than during either of It's predecessors, al
though the earnings were less than those OF
1874.
The sales of railroad lands tor the year end
ing Dec. 3lst, 1875, were unusually large,
reaching 179, $50 acres, which sold tor 81 an
779 While for the first halt of 1876 the sales
were l74 47s acres, of the value OF 1878, 49,
For the eighteen months thus covered the
sales We're equal in quantity to 40 per cent. CT
the combined amount ofall prior land sales
These increased sales the Commissioner
ascribes partly to the deprecated bonds 0.
some OF the companies which practically
cheapened the lands purchased by them, and
partially to the extraordinary wheat crop OF
1875, which stimulated the demand for wheat
lands.
The only new railroad construction during
the year in the State, was the section Of thirty
miles OF the WOrthington and Sioux Falls
road extending from Worthington to Luverne.
which was completed and opened for business
in September. The Commissioner expresses
his qualification both with the enterprise
evinced in pushing forward a remote frontier
work in period OF depressed railroad inter-
ests, and with the tact thus evidenced, that
Minnesota is among the first to show re-
vlval OF those greas movements which are at
once the cause and the effect OF material pros
perity.
In my last message I recommended such
the Railroad Commissioner as shall insure
constant surveillance of the condition of the
various railroad tracks, and provide against
accidents from detective bridges and other
insecure structure. The fatal casualty at Brai-
nerd, which had then recently occurred, and
the constant liability of a repetition of disas-
tiers from like causes, were deduced as justify
ing the precautionary measure suggested. Va
rious accidents OF the kind throughout the
country have continued to show the necessity
for the action recommended, while the shock
ing tragedy caused by the wreck OF rail-
road bridge in Ohio, gives melancholy en-
phasis to such necessity. again solicit your
OF the travelling public, but in that of the
railroad COmpanleS themselves
P1sCICULTURE.
That there is an increased appreciation OF
the practicability and Importance OF the cul-
ture OF the several varieties of fish in the
beautiful lakes OF our own State, is evinoed
in gratifying manner by the voluntary aid
afforded by the different railroad companies
and individuals, in furtherance of the labors
OF the Fish Commissioners, which have been
prosecuted under adverse circumstances,
invite your attention to the very interesting
report OF these gentlemen, from which it ap-
pears that 2l5, 125 fish have been introduced
into various lakes named as per their detailed
statement. and that other important services
have been rendered. The failure OF the legis-
lature to make the needed appropriation for
this work necessitated a contribution from the
Executive contingent, not only to insure its
continuance but to prevent the partial loss Of
what had already been accomplished. l ask
your considerate support OF this deserving
enterprise.
STATE PRISON
refer with pleasure to the encouraging re-
port of the affairs OF the State Prison. The
number OF convlcts at the close of the year
was 166; the average number during the
year, 1853 81. being an average increase of 10.
The total expenses were SIS, 4O6 IS, and The
earnings Sl8, 1853 81, showing net cost to the
State of $21 ,247 81, or 1888 per capita. This
shows decreased cost OF prison maintenance
from that Of any previous year, and compares
tavorably with the conduct Of similar institu-
tons elsewhere. Notwithstanding an average
increase Of IL inmates, the expenses OF the
prison were less than those OF the previous