The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-03-27
Fifth-H. G. Palmer, Warren, J. H. Harris,
Grant: III. g. StordOck: Wilkin.

sion c3yering Wide range Of subjects. In re-,
gard to State control Of. railroads, Mr. Burdick
said he had received letters from the author
tiles Of twenty two states touching upon the in
quiry made by him as to whether boards Great
ed by legislatures had power to regulate tariffs
on railroads. In some states the authorities
have complete control of this matter. and
Minnesota can do tho same thing. !.
Mr.. McEwan of Big Stone thought;it proper
to confer with, the railroads,' and to,meht them
and hear any offer they ;ha6to make. He fay
:. Mr.. Ghowen Of Hennepin said the delegates
were not here to 60 to the railroads to state
their grievances They were going before the
people, and will elect a Legislature in the far
mers interests Chairman Collins stated that
Gen. Baker had written him several letters,
and he did not think it proper for him to ap-
MI: Harris of Grant county said many of the
troubles were of the farmers own making, they
not knowing how to manage such matters
They must organize and fight for their rights,
but they must first master the intricacies Of the
railroad question.
Mr.. McErwin. from Big Stone, moved that
the convention proceed to the election of a state
central committee, composed Of fifteen MEM
bers. The political question was launched by
an inquiry made by Mr.. Stordoch Of Wilkin
county. He asked if the appointment Of this
state central committee was meant as polit-
Mr.: Norton 81 Benton said there was no diff
ference between the Republicans and Demo-
Gratis, except in name, ana if the fathers stick
to them they Will never get their rights
J. II. Hunt Of Otter. Tail said it! Was notnec-
essary to organize q third party. Let the farm
legislature in Democratic counties, and the
Republicans do the same IN Republican coun-
ties. In this way the farmers can elect their
candidates in almost every county in the state.
Mr. Monroe of Otter Tail, favored the organ
ization of farmers party with a far
could control two-thirds of all the
counties outside of Ramsey and Hennepin
Sufficient was learned from the debate to show
that the farmers mean to control the next leg
islattire.
The second days session opened with an in
creased attendance, quite number of addition
The following delegates reported, in ado
ton to those named by the committee on Gre
:, uG stsefens-w.. T. Walker, &. NJ. Giltiman, Car
rington Pheliss, D. c. SMITH, John Maginnis:.
Blue Earth-John Diamond; George W.
Haigh, H. e. Howard.
ChippeWaGJohn K0hr.
Freeborn-Charles G. johnson, P. Kelly.
Kittson-E. N. Davis. +,
Traverse William J. Smith; C. P Sargent, C.
J. Knutson
Hennepin- H. Howe, John T. Blaisdell
Rice-S Reynolds.
Dakota-John Clague.
MI: Cannon ofNorman county read a message
from his constituents, asking the convention to
dash the scales of bigotry from their eyes, and
unite together for the good of the farmers, es-
chewing politics.
Remarks were made by Messrs. Matson of
Wilkin county, Diamond of Blue Earth, Tiff
fanny of Carver, Loring, Kelly of Freeborn and
others, mostly in favor of sending honest men
to the legislature, irrespective of their party
affiliations. Amemorial to Congress from Mr.
Steenerson, Of the committee on resolutions, in
favor of opening Red Lake Reservation and
against pine land rings ETC., was UNANIMOUSLY
adopted and forwarded to the Minnesota del
egation.
Mr. Burdick of Clay offered the following:
Resolved, That it is the sense Of this conevn-
ton that the next legislature Of the state Of
Minnesota should enter upon thorough ex.
corporate taxation, and especially of all rail-
road properties, including railroad lands,
whether they are bearing just and equitable
amount of the burden of taxation.
Unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Davis Of Kittson county detailed the
complained. The system of grading wheat
was an outrageous evil. On his crop Of wheat
he made over $500 by shipping direct to Min
neapolis instead of selling at his station to the
elevator The latter would give him grade Of
No. 3 only, while in Minneapolis the wheat was
graded as No. / hard. The farmers were
robbed of at least 10 cents on the bushel on
their wheat. If the farmers of the Red River
Valley did not succeed in having their wrongs
righted they will move out.
Mr. Palmer of Marshall summarized the
grievances in his district and the fragrant out
RACES to which farmers had been subjected,
MI. Diamond of Blue Earth said Southern
Minnesota would back the convention on every
thing that was right. He said that farmers
must get out of exclusive wheat growing, and
go into diversified farming.
Mr. Cheney of Swift severely criticised the
methods of the grain buyers in his section, and
cited personal experiences wherein he had suf-
fered because of unjust grading.
Prof G. l. Whitney of Michigan, made an in
teresting address, showing in elaborate
statistics the magnitude of the farming
interest, and counseling a thorough
and systematic organization. After such q
showing, ought not the farmers to have SOME
thing to say, and ought they not to organize
for the protection Of their own interests? It
was meet and proper in these days that the far
nler should be cultivated instead of the farms
The productive industries Of the country
must pay off the national debt as the farmers
pay three-fourths of the taxes. This talk Of
Of the farmers would not do; if the farmers
wanted their rights respected they must per-
sonally look after those matters which directly
affected them. Sixty-fve per cent of the voters
are farmers, and yet they don't exercise their
authority in political matters He urged the
farmers to organize, attend the primaries and
elections, and realize the importance of even
one vote.
The committee on resolutions, through their
chairman, H. c. Howard of Blue Earth county,
made their report, which was read by DR.. Col
Inns of Grand Forks; as follows:
Whereas great burdens have been imposed
upon several industries of agriculture, COM
MERGE and manufacturing by usurped powers
of monopolies and the said abuses have as
sumed proportions which threathen The future
prosperity of our new Northwest; therefore be
Resolved, First-That thorough organization
Of the farmers, trades and commercial Industries
of the new Northwest is necessary for the pro-
lection of the industries of the many as against
usurped privileges offered and to that end i'm
mediate systematic organization is urgently
recommended by this convention.
Secondhand the usurped control and regu
lation of minimum capacity Of elevators by rail
competition in the purchase of grain and such
usurped control should be abolished by the en-
actment of stringent laws.
Third-That by reason of gross irregularities
in the grading and weighing of wheat now in
practice throughout the Northwest, it is hereby
OeHaAueu VI tAo legislature VI mluueeOGd auu
Dakota that comprehensive practical laws be
enacted for the government of grading and
weighing of grain, and to that end a law similar
to that in the state of Illinois, governing ware
houses, elevators and railroads is hereby COM
mended to the said legislatures.
Fourth-That upon unrestricted through
of wheat to eastern markets rests
the possibility of open independent competition
in the grain market, and the future prosperity
of agricultural and commercial industries of
our country demands of railroad corporations
liberal concessions to that end.
Fifth-That existing tariff rates now imposed
by railroad corporations as throughout the new
and by reason of the interests of
said railroad corporations being
identical with that of the citizens of the coun-
try traversed by said roads, it is demanded that
liberal reduction be made in the tariff rates of
said roads, without further or unreasonable de-
lay.
Sixth-That the several industries of agricul-
ture and commerce demands the enactment of
a law by the national congress governing and
regulating Interstate commerce. the same to
be put into operation without unreasonable de-
lay
Seventh That the system of granting and
accepting free passes by and of railroad and
more nor less than expensive systematic bri-
berry, in the interest of monopoly as against
public duty and policy, the same should be
abolished by state and national legislation %
Eighth-That the adulteration Of food, med
icines and butter, in form of manufactured OLE
omargerine, and similar brands, is destructive
of health and injurious to legitimate industries
and should be prohibited by law.
Ninth-That we deem the Improvement Of the
Minnesota river to and through Big Stone Lake,
Lake Traverse and the Red river by slack wa
ter navigation to be of vast Importance to the