St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-13

tee, reported in favor of the proposed com
merclal treaty with Cuba. Hon. P. II. Kelly
objected TO the iron clause, which was all in
the interest of Pennsylvania; otherwise he
favored the treaty. MIR. Oppenheim took the
same view. Mr.. Hodgson favored the treaty as
1t now is, while Gen. Averill opposed it. II
was referred back.
THE GAS QUESTION
Mr.. Moves from the committee on Market
house, reported in regard to the gas bills OF
that building aud said the charges were abso-
lutely outrageous. He felt perfectly kind
toward the gas company but he felt COM
PEELED to say this much, and to say that the
gas business was managed very carelessly
indeed. He counted yesterday morning,
about O'Clock, not less than eight gas
lamps all agoing, and it was then broad day
light. Mr.. Murray explained that that made
no difference with the city. If the gas com
pany wanted to let their lamps burn all day
That did not cost the city anything. Tue con-
tract with the city expired January /,
and new contract was about to be made,
The only thing to De done was to make the
- Wy NOuih SNb.
MIR. Delano said that down where he lived
they lighted the gas about p. m, but put it
out before he could get home in the morning
He thought it should be lighted every night
In the year moon or no moon and kept burn
ing from sun down to sun rise, and on mo-
ton to that effect being made, It was
adopted.
The whole matter was thus referred to a
ron m NJ
Ludden, Castle, Kelly, Noyes and Gotzisn.
REPLYING To THE y. Y. WORLD.
Mr.. Noyes, from the mercantile committee,
reported a letter that had been prepared in
reply to the request of the New York World.
concerning the condition Of business affairs
In the city of st. Paul. After few changes
in the phraseology the letter was accepted
and the secretary was directed TO forward a
copy of the same to the World, as follows:
ST. PAUL, Mimi, Jan. 12, 1885.
To the Editor of the World, New York:
Dear Sir: Your inquiries of the 10Th ult.
are not easy of answer in "brief letter"
venture, however, the following suggestions
with this preliminary remark, that at st.
Paul we have felt the depression in business
referred to, less perhaps than any other of
the great business centers OF the country
The volume OF business here for 1854 has ex-
ceeded that Of any previous years, and its
character is far from unsatisfactory
/. As to the cause Of the general depres
sion. At the east, to some extent, over pro-
duction, but not to the extent generally sup
posed, unprincipled fnancering, disastrous
failures and worse even than these, little
specuatiOns In stocks by everybody, follow
ing, first, undue depression and then undue
imitation of railroad stocks, have contributed
largely to present results. The usual dis
turbance consequent on 4 closely contested
presidential election, fears regarding the eX-
tinction of our national banking system, in
creased and unemployed immigration must
also he taken into consideration. The south
has felt this depression less than either the
east or the west and its condition is fairly
prosperous. At the west low prices of agrl-
cultural products, reduction in amount of
railroad building and the withdrawal OF
eastern capital, explain the situation; and in
all sections the general process of liquda-
ton must be our answer in brief TO your first
enquiry.
?. As 10 It's 'extent," II seems general;
not even contined 10 the limits of our coun-
try. IN character 1t Is not altogether bad It
seems 10 us rather a time Of settlements and
healtbful economies than u diseased and
dangerous condition of the business OF the
country.
3. As to the remedy" Judclous legis-
lation to restrain monopolies, while protect
ing and encouraging our home Industries
Development of our mercantile marine; wise
treaties OF commerce with countries most
open to our trade, will all aid. But our con
iidence is in the ability Of this country to
''heal itself" The process OF liquidation
has now for many months been going on.
1t is not yet completed, but the presidential
scare is over, the January dividend paid, and
timd capital must soon venture forth from
Improbable hiding. In the Survival OF the
httest" safe Investments are now easy to
hnd.
I. The outlook for the near future "a more
clear than bright. At the east returning
confidence. At the west, natural Increase
will soon remove whatever OF depression"
remains. Respectfully,
(Signedl DANIEL r. MOVES,
Chairman Mercantile Committee, st. Paul
Chamber of Commerce.
EXTENDING THE CITY LIMITS.
Mr. Murray brought up the matter Of ex-
tending the city limits, and expressed him
self in favor Of extending them, and on
motion the subject was referred to special
committee, consisting Of Gilman. Bcrkey,
Day, McCiung and Cochran.
JONI RoCHE's REPoRr
Mr.. Z. F. Drake stated that the people Of
the city had asked for the report Of the comp
,roller and been denied until II would not do
. l..
corporation would have any credit who al
lowed such a state Of affairs TO exist For
four years the city comptroller had made no
report. ANY officer In Minnesota who ex-
hibited such neglect would be impeachad.
This was the time for reform aud rrtrench-
mcut, aud he intended In TAX. some steps
In regard to this matter, but that he could
not do this till he could see the report Of the
comptroller so that he could see how the city
stood Mr.. Drake then dropped the su 1jcct
Of the comptroller aud offered the following
resolution:
Resolref, That this chamber expresses i,s
dlsapprobatiou Of the act Of the city council
in renewing the contract Tor city printing
without inviting bids, or permitting COM
petition for the service, and without a reduc-
ton ~ prices to b. paid Tor the same.
Mr.. Drake said that letting the printing
out without bids was not regular.
Capt. Castle asked Mr.. Drake II he was OBJ
iecting tu the prices, for II he was he was all
of. for the printing was being done at lower
rates than 1t was formerly.
Mr.. Murray informed the chamber that the
city printer is an elective office. The resolu-
ton was referred to the committee on re
and reform.
THE COMPTROLLER AGAIN
Mr.. Noyes again recalled the matter Of the
delayed report of Mr.. Roche. He felt per-
fectly friendly to Mr.. Roche, aud did not hike
to refer TO such a disagreesble subject ss this
Is, hut ihe truth Of the matter is we cannot
afford to let Il ruu any longer In this way
He insisted upon it that a demand should be