Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-27
MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.


Of the Rochester asylum the committee say:
The building, which was originally built for an in
ebriate asylum is poorly adapted for its present pur
pose and, together with the new addition nnht last
summer, is not sufficiently protected from the dan
gers of fire. Fs
We are of the opinion that the wing built last year
is not of the kind of architecture and workmanship
which should be displayed IN erecting buildings for
our State institutions of which our citizens are just
ly proud, and in olr opinion the work should not
have been accepted. AA hss@s $3.50
an appropriation of $4,000 with which to construct
west wing the present year. Should the proposed
transfer of imbeciles be made they inform us that
the amount will not be needed at present. In lieu
thereof appropriation of S20,OOO payable IN 1880
should be made. Your committee, while recommend
ing the appropriation of the building deficiency OF
$780, dspproyes of trustees assuming the right to
contract for work largely in excess OF the appropria
tons made by the legislature.
RAILROAD TARIFFS
A communication was received from the Gov
ernor announcing his approval of certain acts,
and enclosing the following communication
from the railroad commissioner in answer to
Senator Mealey's resolution relating to tariff
rates on railroads:
ST. PAUL, Feb. IA, 1879.
Hon. j. B. Wakefield President of the Senate.
SIR: 10 answer to the resolution of the Senate
calling for the tariff rates, regular and special
now in force on the railroads in this State for the
transportation of freights, and my opinion on the
rates charged to produce an amount necessary tC
sustain the railroads in doing business just and
equal in all communities; and if the charge for short
distance transportation is not too high, and for long
distance too low; and if the time has not arrived
when the increase of passenger tariff and decrease in
cost in building and operating railroads calls for
reduction in rates of travel without prejudice to the
railroad interests of the State, respectfully submit
the accompanying tar IF of the trunk lines of this
State and letters of the general managers of the
roads, Ito whom submitted copies of the Senate res
olutions), with such information and explanations as
thew deemed Dertlne0t inquiry.
1t will be seen that reductions have been made in
freight and passenger rates. one or both, on all the
roads. Within year or two local passenger rates
on most of the principal roads have beeu reduced
from five to four cents per mile while the average
rate is now considerably below four cents. think
this reduction affects fully vesixths of all the pas
senger travel of the State. The two important roads
that maintain the five cent rate are or have been in
the hands of receivers or trustees. in process of
organization. I believe the companies have sought
to meet the reasonable demands of the change in
times and improved prospects in business, and to
make rates nearly just and equal as the various
and conflicting considerations and interests affecting
rates would permit; If every road was
every other competing road and from
water competition, it could make uniform and equa
rates. In regard to the question of lower rates fol-
longer distance, believe it involves a principal
founded III natural justice. 1t renders the profitable
settlement of the remoter parts of the State posi-
BILE and tends to equaze the advantages of location
Minnesota, remote as it is from the great seaboard
markets, could least of all afford to establish the pre-
rata rule for if it is just for 100 miles is for LOCO
miles: if the producers of wheat and other bulky
articles in this State had to rate proportional &c
distance equal that paid by the farmer one and two
hundred miles from New York, it would render al
his produce valuless for export.
specially commend to the attention of the Senate
the letters of General Manager Bishop and the Other
representatives of the roads. The facts which they
present, bearing upon your inquiry, do not, think
admit of question.
1t is difficult to say what reductions can or should
hn in no tod in he
roads, after making due allowance for necessary
COST is OF receiving in most cases any return, ano
in no case what would be deemed in ordinary bust
ness pursuits an adequate return. It would seen
under these circumstances that further reductions
might properly be left to the companies themselves
in view of the fact that they have already shown by
their action disposition to reduce in accommodation
TO changes in times and business.
regret the delay in this answer to your resolution
but it was only this morning that I received the
freight tariff and communications of the Winona
st. Peter road. The companies at the beginning Of
the year have been readjusting and publishing new
tariffs, which have caused delay. It has not seemed
practicable to make an abstract of the several tariffs
that would adequately show their terms, with mum
berless classes and varieties, hence I submit the
original published sheets. Yours respectfully,
WIN. r. MARSHALL,
State Railroad Commissioner
HOUSE BILLS PASSED.
Relating to the running at large of domestic
animals in Rice county.
Amending the charter of the city of Owa
tonna. ~- -
Relating to the running at large of cattle il
Nicollet county.
Authorizing the village of Brownsville, Hous
ton county, to issue bonds.
To amend the charter of the city of Rochester
Relating to the Incorporation of the village
of Morristown, Rice county.
Declaring it unlawful to get on or off of rail
road cars when in motion. ,r. ...
Legalizing the acts of School district No. Ga
in Renville county, in voting bonds
A memorial to Congress asking for an ap
preparation for the improvement of the west
channel of the Mississippi river in West St
Paul.
Allowing the village of Duluth to have s
marshal.
HOUSE, February II, 1879
Several petitions for the abolition of the
brass kettle were presented.
By Mr.. Comstock-To provide for terminal
ing the contest for the payment of the so-calleC
Minnesota railroad bonds.
On Mr.. Comstock's bill to settle the conten
ton over the old railroad bonds, Mr.. w. M
Campbell moved to indefinitely postpone.
Mr.. Comstoek objected to such an act of dis
courtesy. st
MIR. Benson thought that there might b,
something in it, and the House should have
chance to understand it.
Mr.. Campbell said that was the trouble
there was something in it-a very big wood
chuck. 1t proposed to abdicate the sover
eighty of the State-to permit it to be sueC
like any other corporation. 1t ought to b,
killed at once, SO that it would never agar
show its head.
Mr.. Campbelps motion was then lost by
vote of 81 yeas to 80 nays.
SENATE, February IT, 1879.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Senator Miller-Proposing an amendment
to the constitution relating to the terms O
State officers. Fixes the term of office at fOu
years. >'~ -ts
HOUSE BILLS PASSED.
Organizing a school district in Wabashay
county.
Amending the charter of the city of Roch
ester.
Legalizing the plat of the village of Browns
vile.
Legalizing the plat of the village of Houston
IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE,
Senator Rice in the chair, the bill creating
farmers board of trade was recommended f
pass, when the bill making appropriations 70
the printing of immigration documents cam
up, and with it a shower of am endments DR.
viding that the pamphlet should be printed il
almost every language earth, which wer
voted down, and the bill finally amended max
ing the Governor, secretary of state, audito
and treasurer board of immigration, wit
power to print documents in such languages a
they thought would be for the best interests O
the State, and was recommended to pass. TIL
bill appropriating money for the support o
the various State institutions now came up
and it was decided to consider each iten
separately. The first item appropriates $112
600 for the support of the st. Peter Insan
asylum for the year 1878.
Senator d. Buck said Senators had proposes
to cut down the salaries of State officers 25 pc
cent, and some of the salaries had been reduC
ed largely. He alluded to the high wages PAL
unskilled laborers at the asylum, and called
upon Senators to stand by their rec. r.
relative to the reduction of salaries. and cut 81
! extrayagances at st. Peter and said he woul