Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-10
THE WHEAT swINDLE.
Practical illustrations Of Hoto It Works

Correspondence of the Globe.
Howard LAKE, Oct. 8, 1S7S.-At Delano, yes
terday, met a Mr.. John Sherry, farmer,
siding about one mile from the place, who in
formed me that he cut some wheat ON his farm
with scythe which he pronounced No. /, but
was willing to let it go for No. g. He hauled
It to the village. and after looking about and
finding no buyers, he was obliged to call upon
the agent of the Minneapolis. Miller's associa-
ton, who graded it No. 3, and offered him
the going price per bnshel He was satisfied
that the grading was wrong, that it was arbit-
rary, and as there was nobody else to purchase,
he agreed to let it go at that
price, but when he came to haul
other loads making the number of bushels
about eighty, the agent declined to receive it at
the price and grade he had previously agreed
upon. Mr.. Sherry thinks that it is this class
of people who are robbing the farmers of their
rights. and IL, with just cause, indignant at the
treatment he received. He is a Woodworking
honest Scotchman, and he informs me that his
neighbors feel as he does.
Merchants in Delano are CAREFUL about ex-
pressing an opinion, or of allowing their names
used. but all are unanimous in the verdict
that there is a great wrong somewhere, either
with the mlllers, or the elevators, or BOTH and
that Spmething should be done to remedy-th
evil. There is no doubt well organized ring to
cheat the farmers and that outrageous stealing
has been going on for some time past, but
people are getting posted through the influence
of the GLOBE, and the leaders of the gang are
bling in their boots.
met a MIR. John Nye, at this place. yester-
day, who halls from Victor, and he is quite in
dlgnant over the manner the farmers have
been treated. He thinks the millers IRE to
blame as we'll as those who grade the wheat.
No. ranks at 81 pounds; No. 2 at Sc pounds;
No. at 81 pounds. Now, Ir. Nye says:
First-They cheat in grading the
wheat, giving a less number of pounds than
there really 49, growing out of the use of those
contemplate little brass pots. Second wheat
that weighs 5515 pounds is graded at 81 pounns
making the difference of is cents per bushel be-
tween $50 pounds and 81 lbs; that is, because
his wheat don't come up to fell Sc pounds but
weighs 559 pounds-only half pound short
therefore he must let it 60 at grade No. 8 in
stead of No. 2, and he losing thereby Is cents
per bushel. On a large amount of wheat this
makes good thing for somebody, while the
farmer is the loser. Why, very justly asks
MIR. Nye, do not the parties who take his wheat
at 5512 pounds give him one-half of the fifteen
cents which he is obliged to lose, and
thus show their disposition to deal fairly with
the men upon whom they rely for their supply.
Beside, No. and even No. 3 wheat makes al
most as good -four as No. l, and this wheat
when ground, yields to the mllIers almost as
good price as No. l wheat, for which they pay
great deal higher sum. Again Mr.. Nye says
that half bnshel of wheat weighs less in proper
ton to a bushel of wheat, that by the less
number of pounds by which the test is made,
the greater the loss to the producer and the
gain TO the miller. 1t is alleged, not by Mr..
Nye, however, but by other par
the millers, the elevator compani, 8, and their
agents, wherein the agents purchase wheat
graded at No g. and then advance it to No 2
The agent getting cents per bushel and
their conspirators cents per hushel, while the
poor farmer, whose wheat ght to rank No. q
is graded down to No. 3, and he is out just Is
cents per bushel.
Mr. A. A. jerks. of Cokato, had conveyed to
market a load of wheat, which he pronounced
good. but which was rejected No.
l. He had the wheat conveyed back again; ran
it through the cleaning mill, and then returned
with 1t In good conditions and, nothwithstand-
ing it weighed ffty-six pounds, according to
the standard, yet it was refused by the agent,
and so he trudged back home again with his
unfortunate load. He thinks the blame rests
with the millers and is very outspoken in his
condemnation of the villains, who are thus
earnings.
l am informed that at Cokato the farmers
are SO indignant that they will not sell their
wheat but intend to ship it in car loads and
see what effect that will have. The ring may
rest assured that this matter will be agitated
uutii 1he farmers get REDRESS, ana When That
redress comes, it will be followed up by the ac-
tion of the next legislature, for nothing short
of that will give permanent relief to the tilIers
of the soil
Masonic hall, at this place. was well filled last
evening to hear Hon. l. Donnelly. Most of the
audience was composed of Republicans, who
| listened with much attention, and | am conf
dent good results will grow out of his visit.
AS usual, Mr.. Donnelly made many telling
points. The Greenback club. of Merrysvil e.
was present, and broke the chilly atmosphere
which encased the Republicans.