Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-01
THE WAsHBUhN w,1nar p1un

The chamber of commerce Yesterday
again paid attention to Mr.. Washburn,s
wheat ring. The discussion did not reach
che merits of the case, but was simply con-
slderatlon of the time when a report should
be made. The representative of Bill
Kings newspaper (having arranged the mat
ter with Mr.. Hodgson), desired to have re-
port from the committee appointed last
week to consider the frauds being ner-
petrated on the farmers by the Minneapolis
Millers' association. Mr.. Hodgson proved
very willing tool, and very unfit
man to have charge of matter which re-
quires impartial treatment. Mr.. Hodpson
has private business grievance with Mr..
Donnelly. AS Mr.. Washburn is a member
of the wheat ring and Mr.. Donnelly is a.
farmer and one of the victims of the Wash
burn ring, Mr.. Hodgson imagines that the
exposures of the Vaccinations of the rino
may damage his client (Washburn), and cor
respondingly aid the man with whom he
has had business quarrel DonnelIy), Mr..
Hodgson is also the owner of an elevator on
the ST. Paul & Pacific road, and with all this
IN view 1t is not surprising that he should
promptly respond to Bill Kings call for a
report. Ills response, at the outset, was a
personal attack upon Mr.. Hodges, the chair
man of the committee of which he Hodo-
SOM IS member, and declaration that he
deprecated the spirit of the investigation.
lie acquitted himself nobly in behalf of the
ring, and without having obtained any facts
or information since the appointment of the
committee, seemed ready and anxious to az
quit his clients of all blame in the matter.
| portion of the chamber seems desirous
OF speedy report and we trust Mr.. Hodges
duties will admit of his return to accommo-
GATE them. 1t is true that there is no time
being lost, for nothing practical can be done
until the legislature assemblies, but we should
De giad to see at least partial report as soon
as possible. If Washburn, Bill KING and
| tnelr cohorts think to derive any comfort
from report from this committee, thew
should be allowed the opportunity of amend
Ing such an opinion Immediately. The
sooner the facts are gathered the better for
the public and the worse for Bill Washbnrn
| and his gang.
Ihere IS no question relative to the state
"ents the farmers will furnish. The wit
nessess are legion. All through the region
III question gloom and dependency rests
upon the people, such as never before has
existed. Business is paralyzed and men are
dlsheartened and discouraged. They knew
they were being robbed, but until
MI. Hodges and the st. Paul Chamber
OF Commerce inaugurated movement for
tne1r relief they felt comparatively power
1885, The idea that this great question can
be settled in one or two weeks is preposter-
GUS. The ring have been ORGANIZING and
Strengthening their forces for wears. The
people must organize to combat them. The
work has just begun, and it will 90 on
until the desired relief is secured. There
~ no such thing as turning backward.
There is another committee at work and
mat committee will report at the ballot box
IN November. Thereiwill be no mistakino
their report. The report two weeks hence
Will necessarily be but partial. The sunnle-
mentary report in November will be more
complete.