Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-08

and it was grave and important question
for us to retain the control of this section
These cities, St. Paul and Minneapolis, were
distributing points for this section, nat
urally so. AS to the st. Paul e. Pacific
road, it was to their interest to make these
cities their distributing points. Thus the
lima would belong to tho Minnesota system,
and not the part of another line. He asked
for speedy and harmonious action in this i'm
portant matter.
Mr.. Moves got up to cite another instance
of discrimination. He had bid for goods
at Owatonna. The freight charged was 49,
cents for first class goods, while from Chica-
go it was GO cents. However the goods were
ordered from Chicago, as the goods were
not classified and thus gotten cheaper.
Mr.. Gilman remarked that the drift of the
talk was taking the wrong turn. The ques-
ton was wholly as to what was for the best
interests of st. Paul and Minneapolis, but
be preserved, and thus prevent an absorption
by the Chicago system. The idea
was then to show how the preservation or
protection of the Duluth road would
benefit the former, as against any other
route. In tho discussion of this great ques-
ton, we should abandon all idea of the in
terest of the two cities, but one should en-
list the sympathy of the whole State by look
ing out for the great agricultural interests
of the northwest.
Mr.. McClung also spoke of the import
ance Of the question at issue, and believed
that the meeting represented millions of
strength, combining as it did vast railroad
interests, which carried with it agricultural
interests as we'll as business ,terests. Rep
resentatives of these three classes were pres
ent, and he urged upon them union to build
| up and control a system as against the ana
conda policy of Chicago. H, looked to good,
and great and immediate results from such
| union.
| MR.. JAMES SMITHS, JR. REMARKS.
Mr. James Smith, Jr., spoke to the fact
that much had been said about the Duluth
road. He said it was eminently Minnesota
road, yet al no time had it received support
from Minnesota merchants. The road had
teen carrying wheat east, but brought no
return freight. The stock of the road was
owned by eastern parties, and doubtless to
realize on it, they might be and were
willing to dispose of the stock.
In such an event it behooved
Minnesota to get the control, and that speed
| lily, before it was absorbed by the Michigan
system. He advised speedy action.
Col. w. S. King stated that he and the
Minneapolis delegation were not present in
behalf of Minneapolis, st. Paul and Duluth,
but were in attendance to devise means for
the protection of the whole State. What
| ever means was used to protect the farming
| interest would ensue to the benefit of the
whole State. Minneapolis believed
that st. Paul and Duluth combining with
her, could effect such an Advancement, and
joined by the State at large, the scheme
| would eventuate in success for the business
interests of all.
Col. Culver, of Duluth, thought that the
present time was the most suspicious for
concerted movement. He told how
several roads we're in course of con-
struction along the lake shores
which would give an all rail route to the
seaboard, independent of Chicago. IT the
desires of Minnesota and the northwest were
made known, they would receive the active
sympathy and cooperation of eastern cap
italists.
Mr.. Drake felt called upon to explain that
he knew negotiations were pending for the
purchase of the Duluth road to be incorpo-
rated in the Chic 1go monopoly. He related
an interview which had been lately accorded
him, wherein this idea was fully impressed
upon him, which received such further con-
tirmation that he felt assured in the state
ment he had made. Mr.. Drake favored the
retaining of the control Of line
to Green Bay on Lake Michigan. This
gives competing line to any Chicago or
Milwaukee route, and was advisable as part
of the new independent system. Mr.. Drake
deemed it of paramount Importance that
ma expression of opinion should 90 for
that Minnesota would look with grave ap-
prehension upon any style leading to the
absorption of the st. Paul & Duluth.
Messrs. Hill and Smith followed in words
to the same effect.
President Rice called attention TO what
had been done by st. Paul in fostering the
Mississippi River convention two years ago,
and also to the Lake Improvement conve n
ton held last winter. Other States had taken
up the movement, and appropriations
had been passed which put
the Mississippi in progress of Improvement,
which would ultimately give five feet of
water in the channel during the navigable
season. AS result of the Lake Improve
ment convention Congress had appropriated
| $3.50, 1000 to the Saulte Ste Marie canal, and
$4,000 for the improvement of the river.
From these successes, Mr.. Rice augured that
this conference would result most favorabIy
to Minnesota.
Mr.. Banning suggested that when the
meeting adjourned that it reasonable in two
weeks.
Mr.. McCIang was opposed to an adjourn
ment just now thought an afternoon SEES
sion advisable, and moved recess until
2.30 o'clock. Carried.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The meeting was called to order at 3
o'clock.
ind <h,k = I, H.,
matter had been freely discussed he'd renew
his motion for the appointment of an ex-
ecutive committee consisting of five, the
chairman Of which should be Hon. II. M.
Rice, and the committee should have dis
cretionary power in all matters. when a new
meeting was to be called, etc, pertaining to
the interest involved.
| Col. Culuer, of Duluth, suggested that the
committee prepare a circular letter for circu-
| lation, embodying the statement of the in
terests involved, etc.
Mr. Drake opined that the committee
should consist of seven, as follows: Two
| from st. Paul, one Minneapolis, one Duluth,
| one Faribauit, one Saltwater and one Red
Wing.
Col. King accepted the proposition to in
crease the committee to seven.
Mr.. Petit, Of Minneapolis, thought day
should be designated when the meeting
would come together and the COMMITTEES re-
port be submitted.
Col. Kings motion was put, carried, and
the following were appointed such commit
| tee. r
| From Fairbault--Gordon T.. Cole.
From Stillwatcr-D. Nj. Sabin.
| From Duluth. V. Culver.
| From apolis-Richard Chute.
| From Red Wing-Gen. i. f. Hubbard.