The Mineral argus., 1884-04-10
GOodhue cOurty-Henry Ahnemsn, Ulysss,

Grant County-O. G. Vanpess 3 M H.rris
George NJ. Gittinan.
Inc committee on permanent organization
county. " "iA6n'
Vice Presidents-Dr. W. T. Collins of Dako-
ia, ): W; Furlong of Monroe county, H. g.
Stordock Of Wilkin county.
Secretary-G. w. TAYLOR of Becker county
Assistant Secretaries-A X. Teisburo ~
county. ""'00"
mr.. Adams not being present, DR.. w. t.
Colnhs, one OF the wee presidents, was called
TO the chair, announcing that Mr.. Adams was
not In the city, but would be present to-mor-
row. DIR. Collins said the convention was
called to redress, if possible, the griev-
ances OF the farmers, and to put a
stop to the stealing by the grain BUYERS. In
Grand Forks county alone, $500, 600 had been
stolen In grading the crop of 1888. The people
OF the northwestern portion of the state, he
knew, had ample reason to complain, and they
were determined to stand for their rights. At a
convention recently held the methods of steal
ing on grades were amply demonstrated. In
the matter of railroad transportation there had
been no decrease in rates of 10 per cent, as
asserted by the railroads, but an increase of1O
per cent, which had been brought about by a
peculiar construction of classiications.
COMMITTEES SELECTED.
Mr.. Baker of Norman county moved that a
OF fifteen be appointed, three from
each congressional district. The motion pre-
vailed, and the committee was selected as fol-
lows by congressional districts:
First John Frank, J. B. Reward, Mower;
Henry Tumbell, Faribault.
Second-H. c. Howard, Blue Earth; Charles
q. Brandt, Brown; A A. Williams, Faribault.
Third. Benjamin. Mcleod county; U.
Tanner, Goodhue; S. P. Brown, Mcleod.
FouTth-T. 7. Smith, Dakota; w. S. Cowan,
HenueDin. A. p Miller WRIGHT
Fifth-H. Stevenson, Polk; j. B. Hompe, OF
ter Tail; John Maginnis, Stevens.
DR.. Collins was added on motion, as the
representative of Dakota, and Judge Foster as
the representative of Wisconsin.
Other committees were constituted as fol-
lows:
On Programme-E. M~attson, Wilkin; H. E.
Bowen, Otter Tail; J. J. Furlong, Mower; ]. A.
Bull, Hennepin; A. A. Williams, Faribault.
Railroads and ransportatiOn-Efrst district
John Frank, Mower; s.. p. Sprague, Fillmore.
Second-L Aldrich, Murray; Charles G.
Brant, Brown.
Third-M h. Parks, Mcleod; 7. I. Smith,
Dakota.
Fourth-w. S. Chowan, Hennepin; A. P.
Miller, Wright.
Fifth-A NJ Burdick, Clay; D. @. Smith,
Stevens.
Grading of Wheat and Elevators-First dis
trict-J. j. Furlong and J. Brevard, Mower;
Henry Tunnel, Freedom.
S~econd-Daniel Murphy, Waseca; John P.
Sehonbeck, Nicollet; G.. W. Haigh, Blue Earth.
Third-G. W. Day, Mcleod; X. N. Guiteau,
Dakota; Frank Mesler, Carver.
Fourth-E. j.. Woodwork, Hennepin; A.. G.
KimDall and N. Small, Anoka.
Fifth-H. G. Palmer, Warren; j. H.. Harris,
Grant; H. G. Stordock, Wilkin.
The afternoon was spent in general discus
sion covering a 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-five 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 the same thing.
Mr.. McEwan of Big Stone thought it proper
to confer with the railroads, and to meet them
and hear any offer they had to make. He fav-
ored a committee for this purpose.
Mr.. Chowen of Hennepin said the delegates
were not here to go 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-
pear before the convention and make a speech.
Mr.. 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.. Stordock of Wilkin
county. He asked if the appointment of this
state central was meant as a polit-
ical move.
Mr.. Norton of Benton said there was no diff
ference between the Republicans and Demo-
Gratis, except in name, and if the fathers stick
to them they will never get their rights.
j. H.. Hunt of Otter Tail said it was notnec-
essary to organize a third party. Let the farm
ers put forward Democratic candidates for the
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, favoredthe organ
izatiOn of a armers' party with a far
mers' platform, asserting that the farmers
could control twO-thirds of all : the
Sufficient was learned from the debate to show
that the farmers mean to control the next leg
~islature.
The SECOND days session opened with an in
creased attendance, quite number of addition
al delegates coming in on the morning trains.
The following delegates reported, in addi-
ton to those named by the committee on Gre
dentials.
Stevens-W. K. Walker, G. NJ. Giitiman, Car
rington Phelps, ID. G. Smith, John Maginnis.
Blue Earth-John Diamond, George W.
Haigh, II. Z. Howard
Chippewa-John Kohr.
Freeborn-Charles G. johnson, p. Kelly.
Kittson-E. n. Davis.
Traverse-William J. Smith, c.. P. Sargent, G.
J. Knutson.
Hennepin-John II. Howe, joint. Blaisdell.
Rice-S. Reynolds.
Dakota-John Clague.
Mr.. Cannon of Norman county read a message
from his constituents, asking the convention 10
dash the scales of bigotry from their eyes, and
unite together for the good of the farmers, es-
chewing politics.