Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-10-27


| Importance of this work, has, through
her Merchants exchange, furnished the
commission, free of any charge, adequate
rooms in that magnificent building. The
governor has appointed commissioners,
and they, in concert with those of the
great valley states, have worked for some
years to arouse public attention
to the great need of the
West, and of the South, of all
the states and the territories which have
their boundaries partially upon the great
river, or upon its navigable tributaries.
We have been able to at last attract
enough attention to the great and vital
interests involved as to obtain reasonable
appropriations from congress, by no
means large enough, but immense in COM
parison with the scanty means allowed
this great valley; when compared with
the wealth, uselessly in many instances,
lavished upon favorite and selfish schemes
of the eastern states. Cooperation, we
know, is all we need to correct many,
yes, most of the sources of complaint
arising out of the question of transpor-
tation.
What states have we properly in the
valley of the Mississippi? What relation
do they bear to the Union9 How much
do they pay, in revenue, to support the
government? What has been the increase
of population in the last decade? What
proportion of the cereals forming the
means of exchange with the world,
which enriches us, and causes the pres
ent condition Of affairs, do these great
states upon the Mississippi and her tribu-
taries furnishq l answer, seven eighths
of the whole. What has been the in
crease of the production of wheat, cotton
and corn-say nothing of sugar, iron,
wood and tobacco?
Take ten states only-Illinois, Missouri,
Kentucky, Iowa, Tennessee, Wisconsin,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and
your own Minnesota The average in
crease of population for ten years has
been 80 per cent. And if we call in Kan
sas and Nebraska, closely allied to us,
we have population of 1892, ,30S or 80
86-lO0 of the whole population of the
Union. This is the numerical strength
of the people who are prepared to demand
the improvement of our national high
way to the sea free of tolls, land open to all.
What right have they to demand an ap-
preparation from our national treasury?
What object have they in so demanding
it, will be seen in the simple fact, that
a saving Of two ~ cents per hun
dred weight in moving our crops,
uhshackled by the onerous tariff com
mon to all rail routes to the Atlantic,
will yield, now:
On wheat. 2,24O,212
On corn. ...........: ..:.............. II ,S9O
On cotton. observation-disclosures. 23O,llS
Total. .$14, ,353, $50
Or 95 cents per capita of our population.
In these ten states, as between 1870 and
1880, the increase has been, in bushels
and bales, as follows:
Wheat. t.................... 54,oS5,SO2 pushes
Corn. 547 ,024 158 bushels
Cotton n................ LOIS, ,929 bales.
Weeat increase, Al 64-1OO per cent;
corn, 156 per cent; cotton, 70 64-100 per
cent. What of the future?
Buckle tells us in his history of the
civilization of England, "that the food of
people determines the increase in their
numbers" With your vast territory
scarcely commenced to be populated,
with the vigorous immigration pouring
in to fill the voids, what provision, l ask,
senators, what provision will you make,
and how, to market the vast products of
this immensely growing industry? We
must have all our avenues to the world
opened No close selfish policy will
maintain our common interest in our
country's welfare and being. We
want railroads to penetrate the coun-
try, and bring the wealth of an
intelligent industry, where it meets
Gods highways to the worlds markets;
free ways,g and we will encourage
them by all means in our power. We pay
of the revenue to the support Of the gov
ernment, according to the report of the
commissioner of internal revenue, 1880,
out of gross sum of $116, 1876, ,625 .85;
our ten river states pay $43, 1879, 1881 or
81 per cent of the whole amount We
will follow this no longer.
The seat of empire is now with u.s. Let
us be more generous to the old states than
they lave been to us, but let us remem-
ber the duty we owe to those now with
us, and to those who will join us in the
development of destiny almost beyond
human comprehension.
Agitation will bring co-operatiOn-co-
operation will cement the union. Reel
procity of commerce will prove source
of wonderful development for us all,
and pledge of peace. The objects then
sought to be obtained are good-they are
patriotic; and the commission should, in
my humble judgment, receive any reason
able aid and encouragement in your
power to grant.
Upon the conclusion of the senator's
speech the bill passed.