Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-17
TRANSPORTATION QUESTION.

The State Grange Declares Rar--A scathing
Report Adopted-Oficers Elected.
At the closing session of the state grange
held at the state university, the committee
appointed for the purpose made the fol-
lowing report upon transportation, which
was adopted:
Worthy Master: Probably no subject
1T this time ought to engross the atten-
ton of the American farmer like that Of
transportation. When railway managers
impose taxes for the conveyance of pro-
duce and merchandise from one section Of
the country to another with an open and
avowed purpose ito make such charges as
great as the traffic will BEAR" it is indeed
high time that a halt be called, and an in
vestigation be had. No one denies that
the carrier should have Just and reason
able compensation for services performed
but when restraints are ignored
and exactions become exorbitant
and arrogant, relief must be sought
The so-called granger legislation
of several of the great Western states dem
onstrated that the people had rights which
corporate bodies were bound to respect
But when these great transportation com
panies so influence legislatures as to cor
ruptly control them, where is the power to
inaugurate and secure wholesome enact
ments?
When the judicial ermine shall be as
saulted and our legal tribunals become
subsidized who shall give utterance to
righteous decisions? Is it not lament
able fact that legislatures are corrupted?
Do not courts hold their sessions upon in
vitation in railroad offices? How long,
think you, will the interests of the people
be able to cope with those of gigantic,
moneyed corporations? The fact is, our
pork hangs on their steelyards.
Three or four men control the railway sf-
fairs of the republic. Such is their grasp
on the commerce of the nation that they
defantly say, ''The public be damned"
When the price of wheat advances, then,
in the same ratio, the freight rates
increase.
What does it profit farmer to have his
products augment in price under such
circumstances? Where lies the remedy?
We must seek water transportation as
competing factor.
We must turn over new leaf in the
selection of men who are to legislate for
US. We must exact solemn pledges from
them not to sacrifice the interests of the
producer. We must elect men whose
integrity is above suspicion. We must re-
member that ''the hand that holds the
bread" casts the vote. When the pockets of
the husbandmen are turned inside out, and
the fruits of his labor are found entirely to
the credit of railway management, do we
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education? How long will it be before
the people are forced into revolution? No
time should be wasted before initiatory
steps be taken to arrest such a
sad calamity. The trumpet must be
sounded on the outer walls; and attention
must be called at once to this subject of
paramount Importance. To-day it over
shadows all others. The press and other
subordinate oranges must take hold of
this matter, or the legacy left by our faith
ers is irretrievably lost. When this nation
shall be governed by the moneyed aristoc-
racy, good bye freedom. ''What shall we
do to DE saved?'
This is the question of the hour. And
its solution rests with you, and as such as
you, all over this broad land.
SAME. ADAMS,
HUGH CAMPBELL,
J. S. ALEXANDER.
1t was resolved to reorganize the State
Agricultural society.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year:
Grand Master-Sam. E. Adams, of Monticello
Overseer-John T. Blaisdell, of Minneapolis
Lec'urer-T A. Thompson, of Plainview
Steward-N. Small, of Anoka.
Assistant Steward-N. FL. Host, OF Waneota.
Chaplain-James Sutherland, Of Waneota.
Treasurer G. Baird, of Hennepin
county.
Secretary-Thomas T. Smith, of st. Paul
Gate Keeper. S. Alexander, of Northfeld
Ceres-Augusta J. Adams, of Monticello.
Pomona-Isabella L. Blaisdell, of Minis
apolis.
Flora-EIla N. Small, of Anoka.
Lady Assistant Steward-C. Stanctfeld, Of
Minneapolis.
Executive Committee-J A. Brill and J. C.
Hawkins, to fill vacancy.