The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-02-07


who Want Grain Legislation Better Take
Time 70 Study the. Best System qf Re-
/ @far1hss I'll ,5 T.:
REASONS OF THE EXECUTIVE
STATE OF MINNESOTA, EXECUTIVE oFFIcE,
ST. PAUL, Jan, 25, lS84.-Elias Stienerson,
Esq, Fisher, Polk County, Minn.-Dear Sir:
Your name appears first in order upon the
first of many petitions lately received, ask
ing that the legislature of the state be called
together in extra session, to consider; the
matter presented in regard to the grading,
shipment and transportation of wheat IT
to you, therefore, that I address this reply,
published for the information of all the
signers, giving some of the reasons which
lead me to the conclusion that 1t is not
not doubt that there exist grounds
for complaint on the part OF the
growers of grain in a considerable part Of
the state against the prevailing rules and
practices in grading buying and transport
ing their produces am L. not J., now NO" 1or Inc me
those who control the operations of great
railroads, intent first and chiefly on subserv-
ing the interests of their stockholders by the
economical and effective management OF
their gigantic agencies, would be found less
prompt in observing that some of their rules
were burdensome on the mass of the people,
than that they were convenient and profit
able to themselves and the small minority of
the people who deal with them in
large, frequent and easily regulated
shipping contracts cts = Recent aite,,,, expert ri
ident that the uncertainties and variable
ness of grading impose frequent losses upon
those who sell grain and create a belief Of
LOSSES perhaps, more frequent and greater
than actually exist. I believe that legislation
the ground of monopoly in buying, extortion
in transportation, or inequality in grading;
yet doubt if the relief desired could best be
obtained from the present legislature.
STATE INSPECTION.
In my message to that body one year ago,
I earnestly recommended the adoption Of "a
system of state inspection which should COM
prehend the fixing Of grades Of grain, and
the adoption of rules regulating the manage
ment Of elevators and warehouses;; mc,
n nse sFTn S urged upon It's stssRt0n
agement Of railroads. Both the
branches of the legislature had both
these questions before them. Bills were
introduced for legislation similar to that
considered by committees of both houses;
both houses came to the conclusion that no
action was advisable. recall Of this legis-
lature to perfect such legislation might be
INTERPRETED to imply censure of their form
er judgment, and possibly be regarded as an
ton by CO ordinate branch Of the govern
ment But such is the condition of the
finances Of the state, owing to the extraor-
binary demands upon it's treasury from
the necessary rebuilding of it's capitol
and those parts of it's hospitals for
the insane and the reform school
destroyed by fire, the expense of the extra
session Of 1881 and the Impeachment trial
following, that doubt if would be justified
in imposing upon the taxpayers of the state
the burden of the cost of an extra session Of
the legislature, even if these subjects had
not already occupied the attention of that
body. The evils complained of, though I'M
derstood by the agriculturists of the whole
state, are now most keenly felt only in por-
tons, along certain lines of railway: Even
there the damage will have been mostly done,
the crop nearly marketed and the losses
etfectual A new house of representatives
will be elected next November. 1t may be
chosen if the electors please, with reference
to these questions. 1t will convene with the
senate the first Of next January. To that
legislature l shall assuredly recommend the
enactment of laws that will secure at every
station a market open and unrestricted;
shipm emit and transportation for any and all
without discrimination; and the establish
ment and maintenance within the state Of a
uniform and unchanging standard of grading.
The intervening time will not be too long
for those who may have the duty of legisla-
tion before them, to study the problems what
TO do and how to do it, and to direct public
sentiment to an agreement upon solution
80 reasonable and practical that no interest
San hope to obstruct or evade it, Yours, very
truly. l. F. HUBBARD, Governor