Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-01
purchase of wheat, and, of course, reduce

purchase of wheat, and, of course, reduc.
| it's price.
Now, it is charged that in addition to this
the M1llers' association and wheat buyers
employ an agent from Milwaukee to fix the
grade and quality of the wheat product OF
the State, and all the wheat bought is bought
and graded to correspond with the grade thus
liked by the inspector.
Now then comes the temptation. A
difference in the value of this wheat of from
| 10 to 20 cents per bushel is easily made
| by the manipulation of process of fixing its
grade.
They use what is known as ssbrass testers
they hold about four pounds of wheat, and
| by weight and measurement of that fou,
pounds of wheat its grade is fixed. 1 am
told that the mere manner of putting the
wheat in this tester-whether it shall be put
| in bulk compact and solid, or whether pour
ed loosely in, wheat can be made
either No. l or 2, 2 or 8, 8 OF
rejected, at the pleasure of the gentlemen
who handle these "Little Jokers." am not
saying that this great abuse has been carried
to the extent charged along the St. Paul and
Pacific lines, but I do say that the tempta-
ton to make vast profit by swindling the
wheat producers of the State is too great
longer to be tolerated.
1t is charged that we are trying to make
this political question, and that it is in
tended to effect>the chances of the two gen
tlemen running for Congress in this district.
DO not know how this can be so, unless
one party may be interested in, and favora-
bic to the wrongs complained of, while the
other occupies the opposite and honest
grounds IN the premises. I make
no charge here against the
Millers' association that would not apply
elsewhere, and no doubt if the mills were in
ST. Paul, and the Millers' association was in
st. Paul, with their vast ramifcations and
influence, but that we to-day would be de-
Tending ourselves against just such charges
as are made against the Millers' association
of Minneapolis. What, then, is the remedy
and cure for this? You cannot expect to re-
model human nature, or get out of man his nat
ural desire to make all the money he can out of
even dangerous chances in business opera
tons. The only remedy I know of is by
such legislation as will fix the grades of
wheat, and so classify its quality, attaching
such penalties for the violation OF
the law as shall efectually prevent
the vile practices complained Of
For myself-were [ a farmer-I would not
vote for a member CT the legislature, who
did not pledge himself at the coming elcc-
ton to procure if possible the legislation de-
manded. [ therefore am glad that this cues
ton has been forced upon the public atten-
ton, and is coming to be one of the polit-
1cal issues made up in this section of the
State, as, in this way, and only in this way
can legislation be secured
Governor Marshall offered the following:
hesoleed, That the committee appointed to
investigate charges in relation to unjust grad
ing OF Wheat ETC., be instructed to proceed
without delay to investigate said charges, and
shall make said investigation impartial and not
&c pa'te-glvng millers, elevator men and all
parties interested ample opportunity to be
heard.
Mr.. Lee said Mr.. Hodges made his state
ment plainly and it was all right. If the
Minneapolis Millers' association was guilty
Of what had been charged they were thieves
and robbers. Mr.. Hodges had said he was
going away, but the chair had, very properly,
appointed him and he should have a chance
to be heard. He had been assailed and
should be given an opportunity to reply. He
thought there was no great hurry. Com
petition would give temporary relief
The Milwaukee & st. Paul road
were putting buyers in the field
this week. When Mr. Hodges shows
his charges are true, the Chamber will have
no ground to refuse to stand by him. He
again called attention to the fact that Mr..
Hodgson did not say he owned an elevator.
DR.. Day moved to instruct the committee
to report in one week. He wanted report
made next Monday and stay there all day if
necessary and settle it. The present discus
sion Was doing no one any good. Mr..
Hodges was not blatherskite, but the
Chamber could not endorse him as thew
could individually.
Pascal Smith said the grade was fixed by
Milwaukee, and worked bad this year, he
cause there was so much poor wheat.
The chair said the committee was to ex-
anime into elevator charges and all abuses,
as we'll as the Millers' association.
MIR. Hodgson endeavored to have Banning,
Lee or MIR. McClung added to the committee,
but all declined emphatically.
Mr. Lee said Mr.. Hodges had been assail-
ed, and he should be allowed to go on and
defend himself.
MI. Driscoll said the chamber was not a
political organization. Mr.. Hodges circular
was being used to the advantage of one can
dldate for Congress, and the disadvantage of
another. Hehoped Mr.. Banning would help,
and IT the chamber was honest it would
proceed Immediately, in order to aid the
farmers at once.
MIR. Banning would be glad to help Mr..
Driscoll, as he often needed help. Organiza-
tons were being perfected in the State, and
it required legislation to secure relief.
James Smith, Jr., moved to amend the
resolution by requesting the committee to
report in two weeks.
This motion prevailed and the discussion
ended.
NORTHERN PACIFIC.
Mr.. Metcalf offered the following resolu-
tons, which were adopted.
Resolved, That committee be appointed to
ascertain and report to this chamber at an ear
ly day,
First-The causes which lead to contem-
platlon by the Northern Pacific railroad of the
construction of line of road on the west side
OF the river below Sank Rapids.
Standardization such causes can be removed
without such construction, and if not
Third-Whether, in the inception rof this
scheme and its results, a blow was meditated,
or will be aimed, at the commercial, manufac-
turing and property interests of our citizens.
YOUNG MEMS. DONNELLY CLUB.
An Excellent Organization Which Will
Do Good Work.
In pursuance of call a number of
the prominent young men of the city, ire
spective of party. met at the corner of
Fourth and jackson streets, to organize
club, for the purpose of aiding the election
of Hon. Ignatius DonnelIy as repre-