Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-04-10
MINNESOTA NEWS CONDENSED.

1atlroad Commissioners Appointed
Gov Hubbard has finally terminated the
agony and announced his appointees as
railroad commissioners as usual appointing
the mon who were least talked Of, andleast ex-
pected They ares. s. Murdockof Swift county.
republican, and George l. Becker OF St. Paul
democrat In connection with these appoint.
meuts the governor furnishes the following
statement: ~ u. ..lss=a & T.! -s.a.
The legislation of last winter for the regula-
ton O; railroads and the warehousing and
handling of grain WAS suggested BY the necessl-
ties and demands of the producing classes of the
state, and was enacted in their interest and for
their relief l therefore regarded it OF the first
importance that tho board of commissioners
should be constituted, as \ whole, in manner
that would assure to the producing interests the
amplest consideration in the discharge of its
duties, and at the same time give promise OF
absolute justice to every other interest affected
by the laws with whose execution 1t 10 entrusted.
felt that it was due to the agricultursts of the
state that one of the appointees under the law
should be farmer, and one whom the farmers
of the state would recognize as such. Mr. Muir
dock is a large farmer OF Swift county, who has
realized in his own experience just what the
grievances OF the farmers are that are most COM
planned of. and who has practical and compre-
hensive views As to their remedies His sole
occupation for many years has been that OF
farmer who lives on and works his own farm.
In former years he has been engaged in extern
sive business enterprises OF a character that has
given him much experience with railroads as
a shipper, and during which he has had oc
casion to give much study to the question of
transportation in its many phases. He has also
had experience in the details Of elevator man.
agement, end has practical knowledge regard
ing the handling and inspection Of grain. M.
Becker, as is generally known has had much
experience in the practical operation of rail
roads though for several years past entirely
disconnected from their management His
technical knowledge of matters relating TO the
construction and operation of railroads, and
also his requirements as lawyer, Will prove
of great value in the treatment Of questions
with which the board will have to deal. His
| present interests are largely agricultural, he
| being engaged in farming on an extensive scale
in western Minnesota. Gen. Baker, the pres
ent commissioner, is also farmer; hence,
the board as whole. may be re-
garded as representative OF the producing
interests Of the state. they are all able gem
tlc,nen, and will bring to the discharge Of their
duties Intelligence and ability of high order,
together with business qualifications, acquired
by experience that peculiarly fit them for the
special duties imposed by their appointment
| The list of over seventy names offered for con,
| sidcration afforded an abundance of excellent
| material from which to select the two appoint
ees; yet 1t was something of a problem to give
the point of locality such consideration his
seemed desirable, and yet comply with the
terms of the law and meet the question of spe
| cial fitness most successfully.
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.
George l. Becker was born IN Locke, N. Y,
] Feb. 4, 1929. He graduated at Ann Arbor,
Mich. in 1876, and three years later came to st.
Paul, where he practiced law for eight years
in the firm of Rice, Holllnshead & Becker. Soon
| after Mr. Becker became railroad man, being
land commissioner of the St Paul / Pacific,
| and afterward president Of the road. Afew years
ago he severed his connection with the road and
retired from business He has held several i'm
portant Offices in the state In 1884, at the first
municipal election, he was chosen alderman, and
! two years later mayor. He was member OF
/ the constitutional convention III 1851 and cleo
! ted to congress the next year. In 1859 he was
unanimously nominated for governor, but de-
feated In 1867 he was elected to the state
senate and served four sessions, being reelected
| without opposition.
| S. s. Murrdocks connection with the history
OF Minnesota dates from 1860 when he was
practlcing law In Stillwater aud where his
brother Judge Hollis R. Murdoch, still re-
sides. In 1865 he came to St Paul as an
active member of the firm of Bigelow,
! Murdoch 4 Co., and when his connec-
| ton with them WAS severed he assumed
/ charge of the St. Paul Harvester Works. HE
engaged in farming at Murdoch, Swift county,
(the town taking its nalle from him. and also
in the ownership and management of a large
elevator Called to Minneapolis to take charge
of the Harvester Works there, he remained
only year and half and then his poor health
followed since Though Republican, Mr-
Murdoch has not mixed in politics for the last
ten years. He has fine legal training, is well
known in the state and bears high reputation
| for probity. As the governor suggests, hia
vester business and his years of farming since
were doubtless the chief causes Of his appoint.
nent