St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-09
ST. PAUL NEWS.
OUR BORDER TROUBLE.
The New Restrictions Upon Travel to
and from Manitoba.
Comment Upon the Course of the Canadian
Pacific in this Matter.
Other General and Local Railway Line
and Office News.
The Canadian Outrage.

Inc embargo placed on IralHc ny Iue on-
forcement of the customs regulations in re-
gard to passing trains, at st. Vincent out OF
regular customs hours, is developing into
serious Inconvenience to the travelling pub
lie generally. The train due at Emerson at
O'Clock Sunday last was not allowed TO
cross the boundary, and was detained there
till o'clock Monday morning. knowing
that there would be this trouble, the Canadian
Pacific run special train from Emerson
down on Saturday night, which stood all
night on the track, short distance from the
customs house, and Mr.. G. B. Russell, agent
of the American Express company, in Win
peg, also went down to see what could be
done about getting the money and other ex-
press matter, much of the latter being perish
able, passed across without unnecessary de-
lay. The success which attended Mr..
Russels mission, are stated as follows by
him:
81 went down to Emerson on Saturday
evening" having received every courtesy
from Mr.. Mingaye and a letter of introduce
ton to Mr.. Phillips, sub-collector at Emer-
son, who has full power to act at that point,
and is under the inspection OF Mr.. Mingaye.
The object of my mission was tie get our
money packages, perishable goods and live
stock passed through the customs with
little delay as possible. The detention OF
our goods until Monday would result in SER
ious loss to US and to the cOnsignees, besides
the large amount Of money carried by US
would be endangered by being lef for so long
time on the open prairie. On Friday night
we had $l75, 600 in the safe of the express
car, aud three men, armed to the teeth, were
kept on guard all the time the train was de-
layed. When ] arrived At Emerson ] called
on the customs officers, and was courteously
received by them. though at the unseemly
hour of 3 a. III. | requested
the officer in charge to place
an official at my disposal for the
purpose Of having our goods passed through.
The officer could not see his way to do this,
as he had received peremptory instructions
from the department at Ottawa, to collect
fees from the railways and others for any
services rendered out Of custom hours. He
intimated that if the express company would
pay the fees the duty would be performed.
Being anxious to have our goods passed,
agreed to pay the charges on behalf OF the
American Express company only as matter
OF expediency. An officer was then detailed
to pass our goods. In order to bring express
matter, and express matter across the line
1t was necessary to ask the railway authori
lies to take the baggage and mails, which
were in the same car, out Of the car and
leave them at St. Vincent which they con-
scented TO do. The express car was then
brought to the boundary where the officer
got on and accompanied it TO the custom
house. After being duly passed we were
obliged TO truck our goods for about quarter
of mile to a local Canadian Pacific railroad
train, which was waiting at point north of
the custom house. The Canadian Pacific
railroad took this precaution to avoid the pos
sibility of an appearance of violation Of the
law. That settled the difficulty for the time
as far as we were concerned. There was
considerable delay in getting the mails across
Inspector Stewart of the postal department
came over in the express car from st. Vim
cent and demanded OF the customs officer
&c right 10 bring over the mail car without
payment Of fees. This was refused, but the
officer stated that he might bring over the
mails. Inspector Stewart Immediately in
uuired the difference between the mails and
Lhe car The officer not being prepared TO de
fine the difference, referred him to the collec-
tor Collector Phillips, as soon as ne could
be reached, gave his consent to allow the
mail car to pass Meantime the unhappy
passengers were in a sorry plight. Weary
and helpless as they were, men, women and
children, many of the poor women having
children in their arms, had to turn out of the
warm coaches into the chilly morning air,
mud laden down with satchels and hand bag
gage tramp across a stretch of swamp, cross
dangerous culverts and, trembling, face the
rlstoms officials, two Of which were on duty
at the customs house Many an impreca-
ton was uttered, and people, for the first
time in their lives probably, forgot their
loyalty and cursed their couptry's govern
ment The crowd presented n truly pihabie
sight as they laborcd YEARLY across the ties
against a cold north wind. At the customs
house many of their satehels were seized by
The officers, and the owners firmly,
but courtcously informed them that
they might call Tor them tomorrow
tMonday) morning at eight O'Clock. In
Justice To the officials at Emerson | must say
that they performed their unpleasant duties
in the most civil and courteous manner, no
one being put TO the least unnecessary
trouble No sign of harshness was shown by
the officers, but on the contrary, they seem
ed to feel kecnly the painful position in
which they were placed by the old imbecile
at Ottawa. 1t is safe to say that il Commits
siondr johnson, of Ottawa, had been at En-
erson he would have been tarred and feath-
cred, and ridden on rail by the outraged
passengers"
w nNt ulnNuul vi NNiuhl loss Is suctdincu
by the delay to express matterln was asked.
II estimate that the loss 10 the Wholesale
and retail fruit trade of this city alone is 500
a day Other branches of business also suf-
Iern
''What Is your opinion regarding the prn-
ripie involved In the dispute between the
Canadian Pacific railroad and the govern
meutf'
'My opinion regarding the payment of
government officials by railway companies
or other corporations is the same as that
which believe is entertained by one of the
most ohliging and experienced officials in
the northwest, Mr.. Mtugaye which is that
such principle is dangerous loophole for
fraud and corruption hope the Canadian
Pacific Railroad company will have the stub
bOrnesS 80 fight the matter out. :
Mr. Russell added that the Canadian Pa
ciGc railroad did everything in their power,
without affecting breach of the law or Civ
ing way on tile principle involved, 70 assist
him in getting his goods through to their
destination.
RGR Notes
George Farnum. Of the Erie road, and
Major Murray, OF the West Shore, are in