The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-01-15

elevators and warehouses, has been tried with
success in other states. l recommend careful
and an examination Of the methods and results
OF such system In its operation elsewhere. WIFE
a view to its adaptation to tho exigenciss OF the
situation in this state.
think may assume that the experience
Of the pash two years has given emphasis &c
the expressions above quoted. Indeed, the
demand for such regulation and restraint In
the inspection and warehousing of grain as q
judicious legislative enactment may provide
is so general and imperative that you cannot
longer ignore IT. The subject should receive
early attention, that your efforts may not
fail for want of considerate action. You
cannot expect to devise q system that will
meet the views of every one who may have
earnest convictions upon the subject, but
you can certainly provide for the correction
to large extent of those practices and
abuses 40 generally complained of. and that
have obtained by reason OF the absence OF
legal restraint While every one must rec
ognize the fact that the memorable law OF
supply and demand as a rule governs values
OF all food products in the great markets OF
tbs world, yet the question of inspection and
grading has much to do in adjusting and de-
termining such values. The loss OF grade
means reduction in price AtictitiOus depre-
citation OF quality by an arbitrary inspection
results in serious loss to the owner OF the
property thus Disseminated against While
it Is unquestionably'true that an open mar
ket, with free competition at primary receiv.
ing points, would prove remedy for many
of the worst evils now existing, yet fixed
standard OF inspection, that shall Secure I'd
the small shipper at remote stations an i'm
partial grading of his property in any mar
ket of the state where it may be consigned
for sale, is demanded by the simplest funda-
property. This question is not involved in
such complications that it should prove
difficult of solution. Probably the simpler
the system adopted, If it comprehends the
principles requisite to make it effective, the
more satisfactory it will prove IN its practl-
cal operation. You have the experience of
other states to aid you in the application of
practical remedies for recognized and adj
mitted grievance. Your are specially charged
by your constituents with the duty OF pro-
viding relief from the further imposition of
abuses that have become intolerable and
venture to remind you that it should be
among the first acts of your body to address
yourself to its fearless and contentious dis
charge.
1t is the conviction Of some whose rela-
tions to this subject have been of a char
acter to induce thoughtful investigation,
that our people should take an advanced
position upon this question, and bring the
highest and most practical intelligence into
service in determining grades and values Of
our grain. 1t must be conceded that the
cereal productions of the Northwest have
intrinsic merits not possessed by those
grown in countries where the best elements
of the soil have been eliminated by many
years of continuous cultivation. is q well
known fact that our wheat or its product Is
largely used in mixing processes, whereby it
is made to contribute essential qualities to
the inferior wheats grown in other climates.
Some of the most practical and scientific
of flour employ experts to
test by analysis all grain used by them, and
through the combination of certain elements
secure the best possible results in their
product. A system of inspection that would
in like manner bring to its aid the knowledge
so far as may be usefully employed,
gained by such mechanical or chemi-
cal analysis of our cereal pro-
auctions as would demonstrate their
would doubtless result in estab-
fishing high standard of grades for our
grain 1t may be said that such grades are
not known in the great markets OF the coun-
try, and would not be recognized by their
bodies Let it become known
that Minnesota has system of inspection by
which her wheat is classified according to it's
milling value and bread-producing qualities.
and the direct consumptive demand for
those grades that contain the elements of
body and strength" would absorb her prod
uct independent of all other markets. The
State of New York has an experimental sta
tion" where facilities are afforded to test the
culture OF the various productions of the
from whence reports are fire.
auently issued for public information. Upon
a similar basis the department OF agriculture
OF our state university could provide the ia
cilities for such scientific experiments as the
system in contemplation would require or
suggest, and provide the means by which in
spectors could receive the instruction re-
luired to qualify them for their duties 1t
IS not contemplated by such a system that
<~fx 1,0l ~1I -
scientific tests, but that the system shall be
controlled and directed by an intelligence
hat shall secure to the farmer offering
or sale the best qualities of grain such
advantage as superior husbandry should
always command
Nothing will engage your attention OF such
1ltai import to very large part of our pop
llation as questions of railroad legisla-
ion. Many reasons for action seemed to
Exist at the last session, but although the
subject was considered in committee, SO
were the assurances that the rail-
Dad companies would voluntarily remove
very just cause of complaint that nothing
vas done. In less than twelvemonth after
wards, under the intensified pressure of the
anne and some newly developed practices,
many numerously signed petitions came up
rom widely extended agricultural sections,
lsking that an extra session of the legislature
,e called to adopt measures Of relief against
he oppression Of railroad manage
gainst reconvening that body; but
Is I called their attention earnestly
o the subject, SO l give it to you as one
which, in my Judgment, cannot lightly be
,assed over. Whatever reasons for COM
,laint of discrimination or extortion there
we're two years ago are believed to exist to-
lay; while the evil of certain other practices
nd rules of management his disclosed it's
normity. The assurances of the representa-
ives of the companies to your predecessors
hat the interests of the farmers might safely
re left to their discretion has proved delu-
i've. As might be expected, those who man
ge the great railroads are intent, first and
hiefy, upon subscribing the interests of their
They seek economy, profit |
nd convenience in operating their lines
'rofit and certainly convenience, some of
hem think, will be secured as to freights, by |
arge, frequent and easily regulated ship |
lents under contracts with a small number |
# shippers, and therefore their management |
inns to encourage such. If this tends to |
uild up monopoly at every station, or one |
existing along their whole line,
nd making itself cruelty felt at every sta
heir intention; they regret it if it is really
oppressive, and hope it will not always be
D, and call you to witness that, at the very
'orst, their road is great blessing to the
armers. They tell you that wholesalers are
ccorded an advantage in rates and facilities
ne world over, citing the examples of in
ividusls who have received nothing from
he public and are under no obligations to
le public, as precedent for company
reated by the commonwealth to serve the
ommon veal, and bound by law, as well as
le logic of it's creation, not to discriminate,
OF to deal unequally, not to restrict it's OBJ
cation of common carriage
TRANSIT EVILS
Beside the practices above limited at, which
md to establish monopolies by giving some
lippers advantages over others, another
kists upon some lines, in accordance with
hich an owner of wheat who wishes to send
to any point on the line must pay the
larges for carrying 1t over the whole road
e may then stop his wheat where he
looses, and sell his transit, or remaining
eight right, for what he can get. This is
sfended on the ground that the wheat, or
product. must go by some transportation
ne to that terminal point, Chicago or Mil
aukee, and that the company which first
Is it is entitled to devise any possible plan
keep it, without having, at any interme-
ate point, to compete for it's further car
age with other rival lines Every argu-
ent to Justify the demand for payment for
TRYING grain to Chicago, when the shipper
lily wants it carried to scne intermediate
pint, would Justify the exaction of transit