The Dickinson press., 1884-03-29

Henry Iumbell Faribault
Second-H. G. Howard, Blue Earth; Charlie.
Y. Brandt, Brown; A. A. Williams, Faribault
Third. Benjamin. Mcleod. county: U
Tanner, Goodhue; S. P. Brown, Mcleod.
-Fourth-T. T. Smith, Dakota; w. s. Cowan
Hennepin; A. P. Miller, Wright.
F1fth-H. Stevenson, Polk; j. B. Hompe, OF
ter Tail; John Maginnis, Stevens.
DIR. Collins was added on motion, as tn,
representative of Dakota, nj Judge Foster a.
the representative of Wisconsin.
Other committees were constituted as fol
lows:
On Programme-E. Mattson, wilkin; H. E
Bull. Hennepin; A. A. Williams, Faribsult.
Railroads and transportation-First district
John Frank, Mower; s. P. Sprague, Fillmore
Second Aldrich, Murray; Charles Q
TIhird-M R. Parks, Mcleod; T. T. Smith
Fourth-w. s. chowan, H%ennepin; A. P
Fifth-A. NJ. Burdick, Clay; D. c. Smith
Grading of Wheat and Elevators-Firs dis
trict-J. j. Furlong and j. Brevard, Mower
Henry Tunnel, Freeborn.
SecondIDaniel Murphy, Waseca; John P
schonbeck, N%icollet; G. W. Haigh, Blue Earth
Ihird-G. w. Day, Mcleod; K. N. Guiteau
Dakota; Frank Meslor, Carver.
K; n9nTth snG y :. s W 6 sooa, H%ennepin; A Q
CIV AZ o1AAAAS AuOhds
Fifth. 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.. Burdicl
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
we're not here to go to the railroads to state
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 APP
pear before the convention and make 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 ntricacies 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 men,
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 committee was meant as q polit-
ical move.
MI. 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. Letthe 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 countyin the state.
MI. Monroe Of Otter Tail, favoredthe organ
mers' platform, asserting that the farmers
could control .two-thirds of all the
counties outside of Ramsey and Hennepin.
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 anumber 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. M. Giltiman, Car
rington Phelps, D. G. Smith, John Maginnis.
Blue Earth-John Diamond, George w.
Haigh, H. e. Howard.
Chippewa-John Kohr.
Freeborn-Charles G. Johnson, T. Kelly.
Kittson-E. N. Davis.
Traverse-William ]. Smith, @. P. Sargent, @.
j. Knutson.
Hennepin-John H. Howe, joint. Blaisdell.
Rice-S. Reynolds.
Dakota-John Clague.
Mr.. Cannon of Norman county read message
from his constituents, asking the convention to
dash the scales of bigotry from their eyes, and
unite together for the good of the farmers, es-
chewing politics.
Remarks were made by Mcssrs. Matson of
Wilkin county, Diamond of Blue Earth, Tiff
fany of Carver. Loring, Kelly of Freeborn and
others, mostly infavor of sending honest men
to the legislature, irrespective of their party
affiliations. Amemorial to Congress from Mr..
STEVENSON, of the committee on resolutions, in
favor Of opening Red Lake Reservation and
against pine land rings, etc, was UNANIMOUSLY
egation.
Mr.. Burdick of Clay offered the following:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this conevn-
ton that the next legislature of the state of
Minnesota should enter npon q thorough ex-
animation and investigation of the subject of
road properties, including railroad lands,
whether they are bearings just and equitable
amount of the burden of taxation.
Unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Davis of Kittson county detailed the
grievances Of which the farmers in his county
complained. The system of grading wheat
was IN outrageous evil. On his crop Of wheat
he made over 500 by shipping direct to Min
neapolis, instead of selling at his station to the
elevator: Tho latter would give him a grade of
graded as No. / hard. The farmers were
robbed, of at least ~ cents on the bushel on
their wheat. If the farmers of the Red River
Valley did not succeed in having their wrongs
righted they will move out.
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.
Prot. G.. L Whitney of Michigan, made an in
statistics the magnitude of the farming
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
mer should be cultivated instead of the arms.
The productive industries Of the country
must pay off the national debt, as the farmers
pay thr%ee-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. c. Howard of Blue Earth county,
made their report, which was read by DIR. Col
Inns of Grand Forks, as follows:
Wharaao great b,r6aNn ho w 1eon ip,,,oaoI
upon several industries of agriculture, CON-
merce and manufacturing by usurped powers