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

or the age OF twenty-five years possesses as
many railroad facilities as Minnesota.
December, 1881, we had 3,2S9.1S miles of
completed railway. I am prepared to
say that this year will add 491.63 miles,
being 10 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 will thus
be seen that our railway growth this year
has been commensurate with other devel-
opments. Foremost among these are the
five important spurs of additions to the
Manatoba system; three to the Northern
Pacific; two to the Milwaukee & 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 eur wealth,
they make our Civilization, they build US
anew. They are such factor in the forces
of our times that without them we would
be lame and impotent, 1t remains only
for the people to see that they are con-
trolled by such just and considerate
legislation, which, while'not depressing the
system, viii yet give the public ample pro-
lection against extortion or monopoly.
OUR COMMERCE, STATE AND INTERSTATE AND
INTER-CoNTINENTAL.
This glance at our general condition viii
exhibit, that in all essential material
forces, we are forming and building great
state. The development of our Interstate
and inter continental commerce IS assam
ing proportions which challenge our atten-
ton. Our through traffic across the state
has increased during the year 800 per
cent. It 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 travel 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, will again seek the water at Lake
Superior. In this regard there is not q
western state to-day which has the promise
of Minnesota. The commerce of the great
western world must pass over rs, dropping
its tribute as it goes. The incessant actiVi-
ty Of our railway companies IN building
shops, cars, side tracks, elevators, etc,
eyince 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 its roll.
This fact illustrates the demands OF our
traffic. The river lines have increased
their tonnage during the year 90 per cent.
The interior lakes have increased their
keelage over 100 per cent. Our commerce
upon the great lakes has increased SO Der
cent. The growth of our mercantile bust
ness is another surprise, We have whole
sale establishments selling 100000 and
upwards annually, thus surprising Mil
waukee and rivaling Chicago. Banks
with more than $1,O0O,00O 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 TEE INCREASE OF OUR MANUFACTURES.
To make by labor and art the machinery
the cloth, the lumber, to form and fit fol
our use the raw material is the highest
mark of self-reliant and thrifty people
This is the superstructure, which, reared
| upon successful agriculture, builds the
solid prosperity of d state. Tested by
| this automatic proposition, we are a pros
porous manufacturing people. # Chi
nese wall were built around the state WE
! could largely enjoy all that art and The
higher equipments OF civilization would re-
quire, 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 6
very high measure of success. In all these
| departments the past year has been one o.
unwonted growth and development. Con
| sIdering the state as q whole, and from
the basis OF reliable statistics, we may thu:
note our annual growth in manufacturing
power: The southern part of the state
has increased 10 per cent; the central par
as whole, Is per cent; the northern par
80 per cent. st Paul has increased he
manufacturing power during th'
year 40 per cent; Mime
apolis 80 per cent, and Saltwater 100 pc
cent The docks at Duluth have beer
doubled during the year past for the sub
| stantial reason that the receipts OF coal
salt and lime have more than doubled
l. G' OF THE FUTURE
VIII all this last? is the natural inquiry 0
the thoughtful man. VIII our Commercial
cities continue to grow with sustained Wig
Or? The fact is that rural Minnesota ha
outgrOwn her commercial cities. Our 70
| 600 farms are the pillars of Hercules, 4
i sustain of themselves the most rob1s
commercial and agricultural life. But To
| grand empire west of us, with its myria
rills of production must forever swell th
river of our prosperity. The growth o
our cities must be commensurate with til
resources of a region greater than all Me-
England, New York and Pennsylvani
combined. We have opened the gates Q
an empire which shall never be closed. A.
the enormous forces there at play are mal
ing blood to course through our CONNER
cial arteries. Why then shall not the twi
cities of our state rival Chicago, an
Duluth speedily equal Trieste or Odessa?
Besides this, we are on the eve Of mos