The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-02-23
MINNESOTA NEWS
PATRONS o. HusBANhkY.

Rsalutions Ut the minnesota State Grange
Assembled at M.nneapnti.-The Mill.r.' As.
soclatiOn and Wheat Buyers Forcibiy Ar
raisned and the Railroads Appealed 10.
TIE proceedings of tie state grange Of n T.
neeota wero mostly searet aud OF lit Q gen raj
interes, t but the matt. which will eecu the
wide ): attention from al classes people will be
the resp n,e OF the farme.s o the oct ns action
O. the Miliers' association mi the leaA ing wheat
buyers Of the state at their joint meetng in
d: cenber. Upon this point the state gran g
enters a vigorous protest, with is herebwlth
p, esented in full:
Whereas, The leading millers and wheat buyer
Of the State met in December and adopted new
rules for grading aud buvine wheat, and took such
further action resulted in the immediate decline
Of prices 10 to 80 cents per bushel without any
corresponding depression ia the markets of the
Whereas, For two months they have stubbernly
tried to enforce this bold system Of pluuderinR;
therefore,
Resolved, That in such action these men have
struck blow at every interest in the State except
their own, and that all classes should there-
fore promptly contribute to redress the outrage.
Resolved. That this action only m 'nstrates
again the danger of building up powerful monop-
oliea in midst: that open compettoni is the only
sure Of uring fair prices: that the 8, stem
Of local buyers Is one that we cannot afford to dis
companies whose only aim is to reap fat
harvest as possible, and that wherever such loca!
buyers are TO be found, communities will subserve
their own ultimate interests by protec ing Them III
preference to the rings who have gained control Of
nearly all the markets OF the State.
Resolved, Thar tho milling interest which "
have gladly seen developed in the State, Il it
continues in this present evil course, viii
prove curse where We expecteda blessing; tha;
In this action they have attacked power superior
to themselves; that the people get along with
out the mills while the mill cannot possibly get
along without the Wheat, and that SO long as they
adhere
TO THIS UNHoLy ALLIANCE
we strenuousy urge tho shipping Of the wheat GU!
Of the State; that it be handled far possible
by independent buyers; tina: for tue purpose Of
perfectinR arrangements for the full execution Of
this plan, mass meetings be held an! the subject
thoroughly ventilated, and that the railroads be
called upon define their attitude, to whether
they will further rrotec: this swintle or withdraw
from the contest and allow the people to redress
their own grievances.
The above resolutions were adopted. and 4 com
mttee appointed to the intention carried out in
different portions Of the State.
AN OPEN ADDRESS TO RAILROADS.
In connection with the foregoing resolutions
the following address was also adopted:
To the railroads Of Minnesota: The State Grange
respectfully begs TO call your attention TO tic fol-
That wheat being the principal product of Min
nesoa, it is essential to the general welfare of the
people that the producers should be permitted to
That the Wheat Of The State is now bought mainly
by powerful and greedy ooEopolies to the exclusion
OF the preferable system OF local buyers, and tina,
this evil is continually growing worse:
That the prominent bu, ers and miller. net at
Minneapolis in December, took steps TO shut on,
all competitors dropped the price Of wheat unwar
rautably, and took such further acIon then and
since as to justly rouse public Indignation and call
for speedy redress:
That there seem to be grave reasons tor fearing
that the railroads are IN sympathy with this great
wrong. The freight officers of several roads were
present at that conference and must be aware that
the measures there adopied were in the interest Of
combined buyers against the producers These
measures have been in operation two months, and
yet no blow has been strucl--no etep
has been aiken, no word has been spoken to assure
the pubic that their natural and reasonable suspi-
railroad officials have openly made use Of their
power and influence.
to compel compliance with these cast-iron PRICES In
cases where independent buyers paying too
much &c suit the rings We therefore go before the
public with these complaints, and invite the pro-
ducing and business men Of the State, in and out
Of the grange to cooperate with US in establishing
the following principles:
Firs'-That railroads are common carriers, and
should not be buyers nor interested in the buying
of any commodity which they transport for others
Second-That in endowns and fostering rail-
roads, 1t was the intention of the State and the
people to provide means Of transportation that
OPEN AND EQUAL TO ALL:
that the people give the railroads millions Of
OF lard and buy It back again; that they give them
ubluOuS ~ uOAdES III allu INV tHCJ tueEeiCEC
hare suf cien right and interest ia these roads to
expect fair treatment at their hands-and to compel
it, Il necessary.
Third-That every principle Of law and every
consideration of justice, fairness and common de-
cency prohibits railroad company from telling
any man what he mag pay for wheat with his own
money The markets Of the Safe should be open
and free for the purchase aud sale of its produces.
Equal facilities should he afforded and equal rates
given to all. Competition should be encoura ged
and not strangied and II any distinction is to be
made it should be in favor Of those who pay the
most for produce. and not the opposite
With these statements, We ask tho railroads to
stand aside and let the people take care of tho
rings Let the agricultural interests of the State be
fostered; let the cultivation of the soil be encour
AGED, the value OF land enhanced and towns built
Up. The aim should not DO to keep prices down.
but mp; not to make farmers poor but rich: not to
protect thieving wheat Kings, but to kill them: not
to merit the hostility Of tha people, but their
means. by which the railroads or the people can
permanently thrive