The Mineral argus., 1884-04-10

Valley did not succeed in having their wrongs
righted they viii move ont.
Mr. Palmer of Marshall summarized the
grievances in his district and the fragrant out
RACES to which farmers had been subjected
Mr.. 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. @. l. Whitney of Michigan, made an in
t%eresting address, showing in elaborate
statistics the magnitude of the farming
interest, and ~counseling a thorough
and systematic organization. After such a
showing, ought not the farmers to have some
thing to say, and ought they not to organize
for the protection of their own interests? 1t
was meet and proper in these days that the far
mer 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
sending somebody to look after the interests
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. G. Howard of Blue Earth county,
made their report, which was read by DIR Col
Inns of Grand Forks, as follows:
Whereas great burdens have been imposed
upon several industries of agriculture, COM
merce and manufacturing by usurped powers
or monopOlles 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.
Second-Ihat the usurped control and regu-
latlon of minimum capacity of elevators by rail-
road corporations is destructive of independent
competition in the purchase of grain and such
usurped control should be abolished by the en-
actment of stringent laws.
Ihird-Ihatb by reason of gross irregularities
in the grading and weighing of wheat now in
practice throughout the Northwest, it is hereby
demanded of the legislature of Minnesota and
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-Ihat upon unrestricted through
transportation 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
northwest are exorbitant, oppressive, and un-
reasonable, 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
1ihnpo1 Fn1ratsa@ L. -Aal - IL lis 4
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 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
other transportation companies being nothing
more nor less than expensive systematic bril-
berry, In the interest of monopoly as against
public duty and policy, the same should be
abolished by state and national legislation
Eighth-Ihat 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
people of Minnesota and Dakota, as it will open
up a free water route for their products and
commodities, and we ask our Representatives
IN congress to work and use their utmost eXer-
tons to secure necessary appropriations for
the extention of said navigation.
Tenth-That in the opinion Of this conven-
ton the letting out of convict and prison labor
is a~ntagonistic, unwise and unjust to the rights
of mechanics and artisans, and should be
abolished by the state.
Eleventh-That this convention recognizes
the several agricultural and commercial asso-
Citations existing throughout the Northwest as
important factors in securing relief from exist
ing burdensOme abuses, and it is hereby ur-
gently recommended that the said several as
sociatiOns cooperate in securing as their rep
resentatlves in and for all municipal, county,
state and national governments the election of
men who shall be pledged to fidelity and the
enactment of equal and just laws for the sew
eral industries OF our government, and that
such men shall be elected by reason of their
known interrupted and incompatible charac-
ter.
Whereas, The present system of national tax
alton by the operation of protective tariff bears
heavily and u~njustly upon the farming and Ia
boring classes of the Northwest by enabling
the manufacturer to demand higher prices for
their goods, thus transferring the wealth of the
West into the pockets of the eastern monoplies,
thus unJustly taxing the people of the West.
And whereas the present tariff exceeds the le-
climate expenses of the government, accumu-
lating hundreds of millions of dollars in the
treasury to be stolen by scheming rings of pol
iticans, therefore be it
Resolved, That we insist on our representa-
tives in congress using their influence and vote
to lower the present existing tariff as low as
possible for the supper of the government.
Mr.. Bowen of Otter Tail moved to adopt the
resolutions as read. Mr.. Matson of Wilkin
moved as an amendment that the report of the
committee be received, which was agreed to.
RAILROADS TRANSPORTATION.
Thu committee on railroads and transporta-