Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-02-18
address to the Railroads.

% Tothe railroads of Minnesota: The State
Grange RESPECTFULLY begs to call your atten-
ton to the following statements:
That wheat being the principal product of
Minnesota, it is essential to the general well
fare of the people that the producers should
be permitted to sell their crop al fair, legiti-
mate value:
That the wheat of the state is now bought
mainly by powerful and greedy monopolies
to the exclusion of the preferable system OF
local buyers. and that this evil is continually
growing worse:
That the prominent buyers and millers met
at Minneapolis in December, took steps to
shut out all competitors, dropped the price of
| wheat unwarrantably, and took such further
action then and since as to justly lOuse public
Indignation and call for speedy redress:
That there seem to be grave reasons for
| fearing that the railroads are in sympathy
| with this great wrong. The freight officers
O: several roads were present at that confer
ence and must be aware that the measures
| there adopted were in the interest of CON-
| bined buyers against the producers. Those
measures have been in operation two months,
and yet no blow has been struck-nO step
has been taken, no word has been spoken to
| assure the public that their natural and rea-
sonable suspicious were unfounded; while on
the other hand, railroad officials have open
ly made use of their power and influences,
even by threats, to compel cOmpliances with
these cast iron prices in cases where inde-
pendent buyers were paying too much to
suit the rings. We therefore go before the
public with these complaints, and invite the
producing and business men of the state, in
and out of the grange, to cooperate with
us in establishing the following princi
pies:
Flrst-That railroads are common carriers,
Aohn ry1d Io int fa1 fha
buying of any commodity which they trans
port for others.
Second-That in endowing and fostering
railroads, it was the intention of the state and
the people to provide means Of transportation
that should be open and equal to all; that the
people give the railroads millions of acres of
land and buy it back again; that they give
them millions of dollars in bonds, and that
they therefore have sufficient right and inter-
est in these roads to expect fair treatment at
their hands--and to compel it, if necessary.
Third-That every principle of law and
every consideration of justice, fairness and
common decency prohibits railroad COM
pany from telling any man what he may pay
for wheat with his own money. The markets
of the state should be open and free for the
purchase and sale of its products. Equal
facilities should be afforded and equal rates
given to all. Competition should be encour-
aged and not strangled, and if 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 the railroads
to stand aside and let the people take care of
the rings. Let the agricultural interests of
the state be fostered; let the cultivation of the
soil be encouraged, the value of land en-
HANGED and towns built up. The aim should
not be to keep prices down, but up; not to
make farmers poor, but rich; not to protect
thieving wheat rings, but to kill them; not to
merit the hostility of the people, but their
friendship, for these are the means, and the
only means, by which the railroads or the
people can permanently thrive.
MAKING PURCHASES.
The following resolutions was also adop-
ted:
WHEREAS, 1t has been demonstrated and
satisfactorily proven by the Pomona Grange of
Hennepin and Anoka counties that there are
advantages to be derived from buying and
selling through its business agent; and
WHEREAS, We believe cooperation to be
one of the branches of our order that ought
to be fostered.
ResoIued, That the members of the order
when practicable do combine in the purchase
of all farm machinery, seed, etc.; also, in the
sale of all products of the farm.
Rcsolped further, That we recommend that
an agent from different parts of the state be
appointed to make arrangements with the
business agent of the Hennepin and Anoka
county grange for cooperation.
THANKS.
WHEREAS, the regents of the State Univer.
sity have granted the free use of this hall for
the use of the State Grange of Minnesota, for
annual meeting, therefore, be it
Resolued, That we return our thanks to the
board of regents for the use of this hall.
RESOLVED, That we tender our SINGERS thanks
to Prof. Porter for his kindness in making our
visit to the University so welcome and home
like, and that on our return to cur homes, we
will carry our best wishes for his welfare and
propriety. JOHN E. PUTNAM,
Jos. HAMILTON.
J. 7. BLAIsDELL.