Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-04
HOTEL GOSSIP,
CLEANED BY A "GLOBE. REPORTER
ON THE SlBBATH DIY
The Subject Matter of Yesterdays Feast
of Reason and Flow of Soul'--Railroads
the Leading Topic--The Character of the
Legislation of the Closing Days--Com-
binations Formed. by Whom and for
What.

The accustomed excursion of the reporter
| among the several hotels and the dishng up for |
the Monday morning issue of the gossip and |
other choice norcea,r therein obtained, has al |
| ready become an acknowledged feature of The
GLOBE, and as such looked for with undated
interest. Yesterdays round particularly
prolific both in number and quantity, but of
the great mass cleaned only few of the more
| important matters can be touched
upon. In fact, all minor subjects
in the category of hotel gossip yesterday were
swallowed up and merged in one which seemed
| to be on every ones tongue, and that was the
question of railroads.
At the Metropolitan in the morning quite
number of railroad men were observed chang
ing around in groups and apparently in earn
! est consultation. Upon inquiry. it was ascer-
tanned that meeting of the friends of the
Southern Minnesota and of the Sioux City
| roads had been held there and had just adj
| journed without coming to any definite agree
| ment The meeting had been called with the
view of reconciing the differences between the
roads, and if possible. agreeing upon some con-
certed line of action by which the contest now
| being fought out in the Legislature might be
| harmonized.
The House, it will be recollected after the
| withdrawal of the Southwestern from the con-
test, passed the bill transferring to the South
ern Minnesota extension, the forfeited land
| grant of the Southern Minnesota, and as the
bill had passed almost without opposition, it
was supposed its passage through the Sepate
was only matter of time. In the meantime.
however, an apparently innocent and harmless
bill had been introduced in the House allowing
the Sioux City road to build branch line west
| of their road, and as the bill was seemingly of
a general character nothing was thought of it,
But, when the House bill reached the Senate. it
was found that determined fight had been
organized against the Southern Minnesota The
contest comes up in the shape of an amend
ment urged by the St. Paul & Sioux CITY
road, to the effect that the Southern Minnesota
shall build twenty miles west of the Sioux CITY
line. commencing at or near Heron lake, before
August LIST, or forfeit it's land grant, in which
latter case the Governor is to have the power to
confer the same upon any company that will
| build the road-to-wit, the ST. Paul & Sioux
City road. This, Of course, is in addition to the
twenty miles to be built, as provided in the
bill, west from Wnnebago City. East Of Jack
son there are only 10000 acres of land attach
| w
4 ia, and then comes distance of fifty miles for
| which there is land grant whatever. The
Sioux City people urge that the Southern Min
nesota do not intend building this gap and are
simply trying to tie up the laws for
three four years SO that no other
company can come in and do the work. 1t is
also urged that the further extension of the
Southern Minnesota would result in the OPEN
ing up Of that section for the benefit of the La
Crosse and Milwaukee, whereas by the Sioux
| fhoff opfS 1>al% L.
rendered tributary to st. Paul and Minneapolis
an argument essentially the same as that
used by the Southwestern in its recent contest
before the railroad committee. The meeting
having resulted in no adjustment of existing
differences, the fight will continue in the Sen,
ate chamber, and yesterday various specula-
tlons We're INDUCED in as the outcome. Con-
hdent predictions made in certain
quarters that the Southern Min
nesota would be worsted, and among
Others equal confidence was expressed
that the result would be in favor Of the road.
The people in the district themselves are di-
| vlded as between the roads in question--four
of the eight counties siding with the Southern
Minnesota, and the others with the Sioux City
| Unless the honorable Senator who represents
the Third district, can divide his vote he is in
a tight place, and must necessarily please the
one and offend the other.
/ AT THE MERCHANTS.
During the entire afternoon and evening.
THE GLOBE representative found busy and
excited condition of affairs little in consonance
with the usual Sabbath quietude. The corri-
doris with groups of earnest takers, and atter-
| tive listeners all intent upon the subject in
hand. which proved upon enquiry to be the
| DeGraH and st. Paul & Pacific controversy.
Among those particularly noted were the rep
resentatives from the Sank valley and along
the St. Vincent extension and also several lead
ing railroad men from the city. Further in
quiry showed that it was but an informal con
tinuation of the meeting held at the capitol
/ the previous evening, which, as heretofore
stated, had consisted of the members along the
unfinished line who were interested in securing
at the present session some legislation which
would tend to expedite the building of their
road. At Saturday nights meeting several
members had unqualifedly expressed their
opinion that the great drawback of the road
was the DeGraf legislation of last winter and
shat as long as it remained on the statute book
no road could or would be built, and urged that
in matter of SO much importance private
interests should succumb to the public veal
At the same time it was intimated that it would
be we'll to reconcile conflicting interests by
compromise of some sort. and that unless this
1 could be effected the delegation from the
| Interested sections would combine and put
through some legislation that would give them
the road, no matter what private interests
might be sacrificed thereby.
Of the delegations in attendance it is under
stood, that Otter Tail, Douglas and the northern
part Of Stearns are in full accord, and are
further united to the necessity of
having the road built at the very
Gilman and Stanley of Stearns, and Richardson
of Morrison, are reported as being favorably In
clined to the DeGraff interests, and as being
willing to perpetuate the DeGraff lien. Such
was the condition of affairs yesterday afternoon
and the most diligent inquiry at late hour in
the evening failed to show any perceptible
change in the situation.
!, In the evening the conference continued,
and at one time report gained currency and
many believers, to the effect that the demand of
the Sank Valley road had been acceded to, and
, that compromise Of the conflicting interests
had been effected, or would be early this morn
ing.
The limitations on all sides were pretty gem
eral that unless some compromise We're speedily
effected it would be the duty of the Legislature
to take the reins into it's own hands and do for
them what the parties themselves neglected or
failed to do. The argument used was: here are
: certain parties who say they are willing to
, build the road if the DeGraf incubus is re-
moved. The people want the road-the State
{ wants it. If DeGraff & Co. have equities in
> the case the courts are open to them. but they
i should not be allowed to stand in the way
of the general welfare If, therefore, they re-
fuse to get out of the way they should be put out
f Such was the spirit of one side. On the other
it was broadly asserted that no compromise was
! possible which would antagonize the spirit of
the legislation of last winter, and that any at
S tempt to do SO would be resisted, to the bitter
Ia ny.. &I..AI IL