The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-01-15


clerk OF the supreme court and Stale auditor were
lenghthened one year each, and the commencement
and terminate of the several county offices made
uniformly to accord with those of State officers
biennial fall elections only would be necessary
throughout the State except for judicial officers
whose election occurring at separate and irregular
PERIODS would, In consequence be properly further
removed from detrimental political influences In
order TO free the matter from complications infu-
enced by the interests of those already in Office, give
due notice to all seeking Office and insure an i'm
partial application of the changes to all concerned
the proposed amendments might be made to take
effect at some convenient period in the future. 1
deem the matter worthy of attentive examination.
INTEREST RATES.
invite you to inquire whether the public welfare
does not demand reduction of the rate of interes
authorized in this State. Whatever may be though
OF the soundnsss Of the principle upon which usury
laws are based long such laws exist they shond
be amended as often as is required to the rates
to approximate at least to those of the natural law of
supply and demand.
Low rates of interest in my Judgment increase the
wealth of the State, stimulate the development of our
agricultural manufacturing and commercial indus
trles and enlarge the field of employment for both
capital and labor while high of interest have
the contrary effect, and tend to discourage enter
prise and to encourage men to loan their capital
rather than employ it in the active pursuit of wealth.
Experience during the past ten years has taught
those engaged in promotion of the various industries
that our commercial and manufacturing pursuits are
to be conducted in direct competition with those of
our sister States, where the rates of interest are
much less.
am satisfied that law reducing interest rates a,
much at least as to correspond with the legalized
rates in neighborng States, would result to the ad-
vantage of all concerned. The resumption of specie
payment as the settled practice of the government
and the low scale of values which must prevail from
the sounder basis upon which business is conducted
must render small margin of profits inevitable in
all branches OF business, and there is every reason
why the price Of money should share in the common
reduction.
AGRICULTURE.
During the first half of the growing season the
past year the unvaryng report from all parts of the
State was that the prospects for wheat were never
good, nor for corn SO poor. appearances then
held forth. The result in two-thirds of our titled
area was the poorest wheat crop and the finest corn
yield ever known in the State. Nothing could more
emphatically Illustrate the uncertain promises of
agriculture, nor more pointedy condemn the follv
TO limiting its varied chances to the precarious
profits OF single product. This is further shown
by instances which have come to my knowledge
where men heavily pressed with debt had fortunately
resisted the prevailing excitement for wheat and de-
voted half their prepared land to corn with result
cy. It is indeed the opinion of observing men of
longest experience that notwithstanding our peeuiar
adoption to wheat growing and the supposition that
our latitude is too high for the most successful pro-
ducton OF Indian corn the latter is nevertheless the
more certain and profitable crop when the average
results OF several years are considered At all events
|
| ther employ the resources which, beyond those of
| all other pursuits, give agriculture assurances
against needless failure. The profit resulting from
the transportation of neat cattle across the ocean
| andSthe extending facilities by which the farming
products of this country coming into successful
competition with those of Europe should encourage
| advantages.
The recent vote of the people Of the State on the
proposition to exchange internal improvement land
Fiat f,o1y
pared to make settlement of this vexed question.
| This deeply regret. My convictions as heretofore
expressed upon this subject have undergone NO
change, and earnestly hope that in the near future
the people of our State will take different view of
| the matter.
| WHEAT INSPECTION.
In view OF the excitement recently created regard
ing the inspection and grading OF wheat. I suggest
that commission be created by your honorable
body to take the whole matter into special consider
alton. The peculiar nature of the' injury inflicted
upon the maturing grain the past season was made
the occasion for much complaint with the classified
ton OF the product and the manner of testing its
grades, and lnasmuch as serious charges have been
repeatedly made of dishonest practices by wheat
buyers to the injury of producers, it is important
that thorough aud impartial investigation of the
matter by men representing al the parties interested
be made without unnecessary delay. -. ...'..
INSOLVENCY.. .....
Since the repeal OF the national bankrupt law many
complaints have been made respecting the injustice
attending assignments by bankrupts. BY the coll,l-
sion of the insolvent with two leading credi
tors it is claimed the assets of the debtor are fire.
quently sequestered and absorbed to the injury of
| The mass of creditors, among whom the effects
should be equitably divided In my Judgment, the
wrongs inflicted by such practices demaud the enact
tors and strictly prohibit the preference of one cred-
tor over another.
N." FRONTIER MATTERS.
The absence of legal provision for the actual organ
zatlon OF counties which have been established and
named by the act OF the Legislature and the resulting
confusion, Irregularities and contests occasloned nv
premature efforts to create county governments,
nave been referred to in former messages. The
questions raised in the recent of election re-
turns as we'll as the danger Of future complications
growing out of the doubtful legal status of these
counties emphasize the importance of timely renae-
dial legislation AS more or less irregularty attend
Ell the organization of many OF the newer counties
suggest tina, tn various proceedings had in relation
- nom Jude go ca efni examination with view to
such leSa1zlng ction as may be found necessary,
and that provision be made for the uniform and reg
| u.aI organization of counties in future.
If Legislative discrimination concerning localities
be ever usfable it should surely favor rather than
oppose the interests of those frontier sections which
suffer the unavoidable disabilities incident their
exposed situations. The failure of the legislature
| to make the required apportionment following the
census of 1916 serious injustice to the newer
counties IN depriving them of the increased repre-
sentatlon to which they entitled by their rapid
growth OF population; and if anything properly
be done at the present session to make amends for
that injustice by facilitating the prompt spportion-
ment to follow the federal census Of $780, trust it
may not be withheld.
Information has reached me that in some of the
southwestern counties in consequence of the failure
Of the past years crops following the Impoverished
condition resulting from successive grasshopper
raids the people will be unable to meet the require
ments Of the seed grain law, and suggest the pro-
priety OF granting further time to enable them to
meet their engagements. forced repayment at
this time would defeat the original purpose Of the
law, by deprivng the most necessitous Of the seed
grain needed for their coming seasons crops.
Another matter affecting the practics interests Of
the frontier people deem OF sufficient Importance
to require attention Cons derng the similar topog-
raphy and identity of interests marking our wide
prairie areas the MULTIPLICATION of small counties
burdens their inhabitants unnecessarily with the
costly machinery of government. Large counties
like Kandiyohi, stearns and Otter TAIL while sufi-
centy convenient to all parts of their territory for
the transaction Of business with the seat of govern
men distribute the burdens of taxation upon larger
populations and thus lessen their hardship upon in
divldusls In he considerations touching the sala-
res Of county officers and the expensive buildings
and provisions required for the care Of county re-
cords the advantages which large counties afford over
small ones without increase Of taxation are worthy
of attention.
The Improvement OF the connecting channels and
increase I harbor facilities for transportation upon
the great Ia es demanded by the rapid increase
80 khn0 HuaNn Nv1As ho