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 Carlpdiam Outrage.

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 s 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.. c. 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-
Law. The success which attended Mr..
Russers mission, are stated as follows by
him:
81 went down to Emerson on Saturday
evening, having received every courtesy
from Mr. Mingaye and letter of introduce
ton to Mr. Phillips, sub-collector at Elmer
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 as
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
a time on the open prairie. On Friday night
we had $115, 600 in the safe of the express
car, and three men, armed to the teeth, were
kept on guard all the time the train was de-
laycd. When / arrived at Emerson | called
on the customs officers, and was cOurteOusly
received by them. though at the unseemly
hour Of a. n. 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 expedency. An officer was then detailed
to pass our goods. In order to bring express
matter, and express matter across the line
It 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 a 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 gettingthe mails across.
Inspector Stewart of the postal department
came over in the express car from st. Vim
cent and demanded Of the customs officer
the right to 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
puired the difference between the mails and
The 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
md 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,
and laden down with satchels and hand bag
gage, tramp across Il stretch of swamp, cross
dangerous culverts and, trembling, face the
customs 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 country's govern
mcnt. The crowd presented truly pitiable
sight as they labored YEARLY across the ties
against a cold north wind. At the customs
house many Of their satchels were seized by |
the officers ana the owners firmly, |
but courteously informed them that |
they might call tor them tomorrow
(Monday) 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 keenly the painful position in |
which they were placed by the old imbeele |
at Ottawa. 1t is safe to say that If Commits |
sioner Johnson, of Ottawa, had been ut EN- |
erson he would have been tarred and feath- |
ered and ridden on rail by the outraged |
passengers
''What amount Of actual loss is sustained !
by the delay to express matter!' was asked. |
81 estimate that the loss to the wholesale |
aud retail fruit trade of this city aloneis 800
n day. Other branches of business also sur- |
fer"
"What is your opinion regarding the prin-
ciplc involved in the dispute between the |
Canadian Pacific railroad and the govern
mentm
My opinion regarding the payment of
government officials by railway companies |
or other corporations is the same rs that |
which believe is entertained by one of the |
most ohliging aud experienced officials in !
the northwest, Mr.. Mingaye, which is that |
such principle is a dangerous loophole for
fraud and corruption. l hope the Canadian |
Pacific Railroad company win have the stub
boruess to fight the matter out
MIR. Russell added that tue Canadian Pa /
cjic railroad did everything in their power,
without affecting breach OF the law or Civ |
ing way on the principle involved, to assist /
him in getting his goods through to their |
destination.
RGi{ Notes
George Faruum, of the Erie road, and |
Major Murray, Of the West Shore, are in |
town.