Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-09-15

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many railroad facilities as Minnesota
December, 1881, We had 3,289.1S miles OF
completed railway. i am prepared to
say that this year will add 491.63 miles
being IS per cent. to our system, making
in all 3,7S0.81. Railways are now
built IN Minnesota because they are wanted
and because they pay. The year will
close with twelve important extensions to
our railway system and very great better
ments on all existing lines. 1t viii thus
be seen that our railway growth this year
has been commensurate with other deyel-
opments. Foremost among these are the
five important spurs of additions to the
Manatoba system; three to the Northern
Pacific; two to the milwaukee 81 st. Paul.
and one independent line from Red Wing
to Mankato, while at least three others are
now being surveyed. A railway is now
considered as necessary highway to every
community. They increase our wealth,
they make our Civilization, they build us
anew. They are such factor in the forces
Of our tines that without them we would
be lame and impotent, It remains only
for the people TO see that they are con
trolied by such just and considerate
Legislation, which, while not REFRESHING the
system, viii yet give the public ample pro
lection against extortion or monopoly.
OUR COMMERCE, STATE ARD INTERSTATE AND
INTER-CoNTINENrALI.
This glance at our general condition viii
exhibit, that in all essential material
forces, we arc forming and building great
state. The development of our Interstate
and inter-continental commerce is assum-
ing proportions which challenge our atten-
ton. Our through traffic across The state
has increased during the year 300 per
cent. 1t pours upon Us from the vast re-
gions beyond the Red river to the Yellow
stone and from the great Winnipeg basins,
and the traffic and traved from the Union
Pacific by the Omaha route has doubled.
The completion Of the Northern Pacific
viii open for Us an inter-continental
Asiatic commerce, which By this shortest
route, viii again seek the water at Lake
Superior. In this regard there is not a
western state to-day which has the promise
of Minnesota. The commerce of the great
western world must pass over Us, dropping
its tribute as it goes. The incessant activi-
ty Of our railway companies in building
shops, cars, side tracks, elevators, etc,
eVince the swift and pressing growth of
our commerce. The railways are unable
TO furnish cars sufficient to meet the de-
mands OF business. The superintendent
Of the car works at Saltwater informs me
that they have received and accepted orders
recently for 1000 freight cars,
and have been compelled to
refuse orders for $50 more That car fac
tory alone carries 1900 men on It's roll.
This fact illustrates the demands of our
traffic. The river lines have increased
their tonnage during the year % per cent.
Yhe interior lakes have increased their
keelage over 100 per cent. Our commerce
upon the great lakes has increased SO per
cent. The growth OF orr. mercantile bust
ness is another surprise, We have whole
sale establishments selling $3,0O00O0 and
upwards annually, thus surprising Nil
waukee and rivaling Chicago. Banks
with more than S1,000,o00 of capital index
the volume OF our business. This vast
material growth IS reflected from many
stand points. Take Insurance: To-day
twenty-five states exhibit less insurance
business than Minnesota. In 1880 alone
the volume OF our insurance increased
thirty million Of dollars.
OF TIE INCREASE oF QUE MANUFACTURES
To make by labor and art the machinery,
the cloth, the lumber, to form and fit for
cur use the raw material is the highest
mark of sef-reiant and thrifty people.
This IS the superstructars, which, reared
upon successful agriculture, builds the
sohd prosperity Of state. Tested by
this automatic proposition, we are a pros
porous manufacturing people. IF Chi
nese wall were built around the state we
could largely enjoy all that art and the
higher equipments Of civilization would re-
qulre, either as necessities or luxuries.
In the manufacture of -four we lead the
world; IN the making Of all manner of
machinery, wooden cloths, blankets, wood
en- wares, edged tools, clothing, boots, shoes,
oils, sorghum, syrup, doors, blinds, house
trimmings, furniture, malt liquors, wines,
vinegar and wagons, we have achieved q
very high measure of success. In all these
departments the past year has been one of
unwonted growth and development. Con
sidering the state as whole, and from
the basis Of reliable statistics, we may thus
note Cur annual growth in manufacturing
power: The southern part OF the state
has increased 10 per cent; the central part
as whole, 25 per cent; the northern part
so per cent. st Paul has increased her
year 40 per cent; Mime
apohs so per cent, and Saltwater 100 per
cent The docks at Duluth have been
doubled during the year past for the sub
stantial reason that the receipts of coal,
salt and lime have more than doubled.
or THE FUTURE
Will all this last? is the natural inquiry of
the thoughtful man. VIII our commercial
cities continue to grow with sustained Wig
or? The fact is that rural Minnesota has
cutgrown her commercial cities. Our Is
coo farms are the pillars of Hercules, to
sustain of themselves the most robust
commercial and agricultural life. But tie
grand empire west of Us, with its myriad
rlils of production must forever swell the
river Of our prosperity. The growth OF
our cities must be commensurate with the
resources of region greater than all New
England, New York and Pennsylvania
combined. We have opened the gates OF
an empire which shall never be closed. All
the enormous forces there at play are max
ing blood to course through our CONNER
cial arteries. Why then shall not the twin,
cities Of our state rival Chicago, and
Duluth speedily equal Trieste or Odessa?
Besides this, we are on the eve of most
l L.