Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-24
THE REsERrorR swrND1E.

result which, whilst it would not havesatfec-
ted navigation, would have entailed serious
loss to the mill company and others owning
the water power. Instead of doing the work
necessary to protect their private interests,
the plan was adopted to secure government
aid under the pretense that the preservation
of the falls waf ecessary to the navigability
of the river, although in fact it made no diff
erenoe whether the falls were destroyed or
not so far as the practical navigation of the
river was concerned, save that the driving of
logs from points above to points below the
falls would have been facilitated by their de-
struction. Nothing but logs and
lumber can be run above
the falls. 1t is all folly, as every one
knows, to pretend that the river above was
ever navigable for steamboats, or other craft
used in transportation.
However, the plan adopted was successful,
and over half million of dollars was
actually appropriated to repair and rebuild
the dam for those mill companies.
Having got the appropriations, the next
step in the programme was to induce its
construction without q sluiceway. This
would prevent the running of logs below the
falls. and give those mill owners the absolute
control of the log market for the entire Up
per Mississippi, as the logs could not be sold
to other parties. This outrageous monopoly
continued from 1871 up to last season
when, in spite of their opposition, sluice-
way was built, which now enables log own
ers to sell their logs in st. Paul and else
where down the river.
II has now been ascertained that the
volume of water in the river is not sufficient,
at certain seasons of the year to run all the
mills at the Falls at the same time, and hav
ing once succeeded in flching from the pub
lie treasury aid to build their dams, they
now are seeking to carry out another part of
the programme, which is the project of
constructing reservoirs upon the head waters
of the river and at the outlet of the lakes
that feed it, under the specious plea of
improving navigation, when in fact
the real object is to supply water for the
mills. That this is the real object is mani
fest from the fact that every representative
from that locality has been opposing the
passage of the bill pending in Congress to
prevent the obstruction of the river by the
immense quantities of saw dust and mill waste
constantly being thrown in the river,
and asking and insisting that it
shall not be prevented for at least
another year. They very well know that
over 100000 cords of saw dust, besides
sidings and other mill-waste have been thrown
into the river every year, and that it is now
INSTRUCTED so that the steamboats, cannot run
above st. Paul.
The magnitude of this raid upon the pub
lie treasury we feel sure the people do not
estimate. The timber lands and meadows
on the Upper Mississippi near to the streams
and lakes have been entered by these mill
owners, or covered with half breed script,
and immense tracts belonging to the Govern
ment have been cut over. For some of these
trespassess suits are now depending and bill
(part of the general programmed is pending
to allow these parties to purchase the lands
trespassed upon at $1.25 per acre. This
reservoir humbug provides for the appoint
ment of commission to assess the damages
to the owners of lands to be over
flowed. We notice that these par
ties when before the committee estimate
that 100000 will more than cover the dam
ages, but when We consider the bill referred
to allows these parties to get title imme-
diately to the lands trespassed upon, the
quantity of overfowed lands held by private
parties will be greatly increased. To accom-
plish the great purpose of the legislation,
to sell all these lands to the government after
getting off the timber, commission is to be
appointed to estimate, report upon and settle
the damages sustained by all these parties by
the overflow, and when we consider that
the members of this commission will be de-
signated by Bill Washburn, some faint idea,
perhaps, may be formed of the total amount
these parties will receive in addition to the
incidental benefit of supply of water. 1t
is safe to say that it will amount to millions.
With this additional aid and increase of
capital it is reasonable to presume
that Minneapolis will be able to compete
successfully with Taylor's Falls, Granite Falls
and other localities which have to build their
own mill dams.
To accomplish these purposes and carry
out this programme, SO artfully arranged and
persistently pressed, it became necessary to
defeat DR.. Stewart, and nominate Mr.. Wash
burn, the father of this steal. DR.. Stewart
had served but one term, made useful, in
dustrious and popular member of Congress.
He was entitled by party usage to second
term. Yet advantage was taken of his abb
sence, and by the corrupt expenditure of
large sums of money and theentire influence
of the mills and water power company he
was defeated. For the same reason they
propose to keep Washburn in Ibis seat if
money will do it.
1t is no wonder that a powerful lobby has
spent the winter in Washington, and that
$4,000 anonymous letters have been sent
to aid Washburn in retaining his
seat. 1t is all important to the