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

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reasonable rates What are ro.---s' =
ana reasonable dispatch depends on the oA-
cumstanoes of the case, but the obligation to
carry for all alike Is absolute under all Cir.
oumstances No increased dispatch, no re.
d9ced rate to some, will Justify any practfc
winch works discrimination, or restriction
OF hts free right, to any
The people look to you to adopt laws Which,
snail interdict and terminate all these prac-
tices. The details of the legislation which
VIII accomplishit, will be yours to elaborate.
IL Is my duty to recommend that you aim to
secure. at every station, an open and un-
restricted market. the right of shipment for
any and all; without partiality or preference,
and transportation for all without discrimii
nation at equal and reasonable rates, to any
desired destination Ths prosperity OF thu
companies depends largely upon the pros,
will not therefore, evince hostility to tn,
roads by releasing the people from tn
snackles Of monopoly which fetter their
prosperity.
FREIGHT TARIFF.
The producers of our state have been
greatly disappointed by the failure of tn
railroad companies to adjust their tariffs til |
past year to conform to the changed condi{
lions IN the general business of the country
They Justly complain that charges for trans
portation are out of proportion to the valu
6f tl4 Commodities hrarspdftcd Will
the prices Of grain have declilled to q poin
that affords no profit to the farmer undei
the most favorable conditions for marketinst
MS crop, the charges for transportation pre-,
vaiilng In former years have been substan
tlally maintained A slight reduction ma
nave been made in SOME iiistaIices, as q;
gruuuglttg eoneessoh I'd paptilar slamor, yei
IL mas not been sufficient to afford apprecia.
pie relief in this regard From many
points in the state, one-half the value of y
Dushel of wheat is taken for its t.ansporta,
(thjraUn yvh tafip
the freight and accompanying charges upor}
certain kinds and grades of grain, amount
almost to a contiscation of the property. Tho
gross Injustice of this policy does not require
Illustration. In times of general depression
there should be, SO far as may be practicable,
an equitable distribution of burdens When
values of agricultural products prove re-
muneratlve to the farmer, he willingly paws
liberal rates for their transportation; but,
when prices barely pay the cost of produc-
ton, he certainly should not be compelled
to pay the full tribute necessary to enabld
these corporations to declare regular divi-
dends upon their exaggerated issues of stock
The report of the railroad commissioner
shows continued prosperity TO have pre-.
vailed In the railroad business Of the state
The total number of miles of completed
road reported within the state Dec. l, $50
was 3,749 ID. The total number Dec Ii
1884, was f. II &c. 2r. CT which 256 81 miles
were constructed within the last twelve
mOnUnS Iue UOUal earnings or UleSe roads
within the state was. for the year ending
June 80, 1882, $1S, 500, 1913. 1G The tota,
earnings for the year ending June 30 1881,
was 500, 243. 1862. The total operating
expenses, which amounted to $lO,22l,-
1873. SO in 1882, were S11 1874. 253 50 for
the year ending June 30, 1884 The aver
age earnings per mile had increased from
So, 642. "a to So, 924. II in two years; while
the average operating expenses had been
reduced from SD ,066 80 to ;F3, O04 % The
average cost of construction of the roads in
this state, including equipment as repre-
sented by their issues of bonds and stock is
given by the commissioner at $40 994 56
per mile. The average earnings of the same
for the last twelve months report exceed
the average OF operating expenses by
81, 800. 40 per mile. The taxes paid to the
state on the gross earnings of the railroads
in this state during the past year were
$645, 735. IL. This large amount will be
steadily increased from the increase of bust
ness upon these roads and from The new
lines, of which number of important ones
are soon to be.completed
CONCLUSION
Confident that the influence controlling
your deliberations here will be desire to
serve the best interests of your constituents,
and trusting that the people of the state may
not be disappointed in their expectation OF
such practical remedial legislation at your
hands as shall best promote their prosperity
and happiness, 1 commend the subjects of
this communication to your considerate at
tention. l. F. HUBBARD,
Governor
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
ST. PAUL, Jan. z, 1885.