River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-03-27
Fifth--H. G. Palmer, Warren; j. H. Harris,
II n Wiki,


and hear any offer they had to make. He fav-
ored committee for this purpose
Mr.. Chowcn Of Hennepin said the delegates
were not here 10 go to the railroads to state
their grievances They were going before the
people, and will elect legislature in the far
mers interests Chairman Collins stated that
Gen. Baker had written him several letters,
and he did not think IL 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 snch matters.
They must organize and fight for their rights,
but they must first master theintricacies 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,
beers. The political question was launched by
an inquiry made by Mr.. Stordock of Wllkln
county. He asked if the appointment Of this
state central committee was meant as pollt-
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
10 them they win never get their rights
J. II. Hunt of Otter Tail said 1t was notnec-
essary TO organize a third party. Letthe farm
ers put forward Democratic candidates Tor 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, favored the organ
ization of farmers party with far
mers' platform. asserting that the farmers
could control two-thirds Of I, all the
counties outside Of Ramsey and Henncpin.
Sufficient was learned from the debate to slow
that the farmers mean to control the next leg-
islatiire.
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 addl-
ton to those named by the committee on Gre
dentials.
Stevens-w. X. Walker, G. NJ Gilman, Car
rington Phelps, ID. c. Smith, Johr Maginnis.
Blue Earth-John Diamond, George w.
Haigh, II. E. Howard
Chippewa-John Kohr.
Freeborn-Charles q. johnson, 2. Kelly.
Kittson-E N Davis.
Traverse-Wiliam J. Smith, c. P Sargent, C.
T. Knutson.
Hennepin-John H. Howe, joint Blaisdell
Rice--S. Reynolds.
Dakotar-John Glagie
Mr. Cannon 0fNorman county read message
from his constituents asking the convention to
dash the scales of bgotry from their eyes. ard
unite together for the good of the farmers, es-
chewing politics.
Remarks were made by Messrs. Matson of
Wilkin county. Diamond of Blue Earth, Tiff
fanny of Carver, Loring, Kelly of Freedom and
Others mostly in favor of sending honest men
to the legislature irrespective of their party
affiliations. A memorial to Congress from Mr.
Steenerson, of the committee on resolutions, IN
favor Of opening Red Lake Reservation and
against pine land rings, etc, was UNANIMOUSLY
adopted and forwarded to the Minnesota del
egation.
Mr. Bsrdick of Clay offered the following:
Resolved, That il is the sense of this coneyn-
ton that the next Legislature Of the state OF
Minnesota should enter upon a thorough ex-
animation and investigation of the subject of
corporate taxation, and especially of all rail
road properties including railroad lands,
whether they are bearing 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 an 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 The l. alter would give him grade OF
No. 3 only, while in Minneapolis the wheat was
graded as No / hard. The farmers were
robbed of at least 20 cents on the bushel on
their wheat If the farmers of the he'd 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
go into diversified farming.
Mr. Cheney of Swift severely criticised the
methods of the grain buyers in his section, and
cited personal experiences wherein be had SUI
fered because Of unjust grading.
Prof @. l. Whitney of Michigan, made an in
teresting address, showing in elaborate
statistics the magnitude of the farming
interest and counseling thorough
and systematic organization. After such
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
was meet and proper in these days that the far
mer should be cultivated instead of the farms.
The productive industries of the country
must pay off the national debt as the farmers
paw three-fourths of the taxes. This talk of
''sendng 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-five 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 Dr. Col
Inns of Grand Forks, as follows:
Whereas great burdens have been imposed
upon several industries of agriculture, conf
merce and manufacturing by usrrped powers
of monopolies and the said abuses have as
sumed proportions which threathen the future
prosperity OF our new Northwest; therefore De
Resolved. First-That thorough organization
ST the farmers, trades and commercial industries
OF the new Northwest is necessary for the pro-
lection of the industries OF the many as against
usurped privileges offered and to that end I'M
mediate systematic organization is urgently
recommended by this convention.
Second-That the usurped control and regu-
lation of minimum capacity of elevators by rail
road corporations is destructive of independent
competition in the purchase of grain and such
usurped control should be abolished by the en-
aetment of stringent laws.
Third-Thatby reason of gross irregularities
in the grading and weighing of wheat now IN
practice throughout the Northwest 1t IS hereby
demanded of the legislature of Minnesota and
Dakota that comprehensive practical laws be
enacted for the government Of grading and
weighing of grain and to that end law similar
to that in the state of Illinois, governing ware
houses, elevators and railroads is hereby COM
mended to the said legislatures
Fourth-That upon unrestricted through
transportation of wheat to eastern markets rests
the possibility of open Independent competition
in the grain market, and the future prosperity
of agricultural and commercial industries of
our country demands of railroad corporations
liberal concessions to that end
Fifth-That existing tariff rates now imposed
by railroad corporations as throughout the new
northwest are exorbitant, oppressive, and IN
reasonable, and by reason of the interests OF
said railroad corporations being
identical with that of the citizens of the coun-
try traversed by said roads, it Is demanded that
liberal reduction be made in the tariff rates OF
said roads, without further or unreasonable de
lay
Sixth-That the several industries Of agricul-
ture and commerce demands the enactment OF
a law by the national congress governing and
regulating interstate commerce, the same to
be put into operation without unreasonable de-
lay.
Seventh-That the system of granting and
accepting free passes by and of railroad and
other transportation companies being nothing
more nor less than expensive systematic Dfl-
berry, in the interest of monopoly as against
public duty and policy, the same should De
abolished by state and national legislation
Eighth-1hat the adulteration OF food, med
icines and butter, IN form of manufactured ole
omargerine and similar brands, is destructive
of health and injurious to legitimate industries
and should be prohibited by law
Nintll-That we deem the improvement OF the
Minnesota river to and through Big Stone Lake,
Lake Traverse and the Red riT,T by slack wa
ter navigation to be of vast importance to the
people of Minnesota and Dakota, as II VIII open
up free water route for their products and
commodities and we ask our representatives
in congress to work and use their utmost exer-
tons to secure necessary appropriations Tor
the extention of said navigation.
Tenth-That in the opinion of this conyen-
ton the letting out of convict and prison labor
is antagonistic, unwise and unjust to the rights
OF mechanics and artisans, and should De
abolished by the state.
EleventhLThat this convention recognizes
the several agricultural and commercial asso-
Citations existing throughout the Northwest as
important factors in securing reilef from exist
ing burdensome abuses, and il IS hereby ur :