St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-27

that the members Of the Farmers alliance
are set of numskulls who have no conf
dence in their own Judgment but who per
nit Mr.. IGNATIUs DoNNELLY TO lead
them around By the nose. Discussing the
platform of principles adopted by the alli-
ance at its recent session. the Pioneer Press
of yesterday SAYS:
We hardly think the resolutions intr oduced
and pushed through By Mr.. DoENELLY fairly
represent the spirit and purposes of the con-
vention. AS body they are not disposed 10
insist on violent remedies or Incorporate
measures. They want such legislation as
will adequately protect them from unjust ex-
actions by railroad corporations or elevator
companies; but they are not disposed 10 yield
TO the demands of the more radical extrem-
lists, or 10 join Mr. DoNNELLY in stigmatizing
as plunderers and thieves all who are charged
with the management of the railroads of the
state.
The above-quoted paragraph is not only
an injustice to Mr.. DoNSELLY, but it is a
downright insult TO the intelligent body of
Minnesota farmers who constitute the alli-
ance. That the resolutions were written
by Mr. DoNNELLY goes without saying
for there is no other writer in the stale who
could use such terse and vigorous language
in the enunciation Of the principles of the
organization in whose behalf he was speak
ing. And it is also true that the resolu-
tons expressed the opinions of the alliance.
for when the report was submitted each
resolution received hearty round of ap-
plause. So far from the resolutions being
forced through under a gag. as the Pioneer
Press would lead the public 10 believe was
the case, they were submitted and read in
open convention with the privilege to each
and every member 10 offer any amend
ment that might be desirable. AS
ments were made by the alliance
to the report of the committee before it
was adopted. AS an instance. the report
as it came from the committee declared in
favor of the election of the railroad COM
missioners by the people instead of appoint
ment by the governor. A member moved
an amendment, which was adopted, includ-
ing the dairy commissioner. And in like
manner other amendments were suggested
and adopted.
1t is pretty well understood that the
Third street journal has no special affection
for Mr.. DoNNELLY, but it is difficult to see
why its personal hostility to the sage of
Nininger should cause il TO seek
to stigmatize the farmers of the
state as set of nincompoops
utterly without intelligence and independ-
ence. And yet that is just what they would
be if they permitted Mr.. DoSNELLY, or
anybody else, ito introduce and push
through resolutions misrepresentlng the
spirit and purposes" of the alliance. The
truth is, the alliance adopted the resolutions
with its ears and eyes wide open, and with
full understanding of the meaning of the
report of the committee. The farmers said
just what they meant, and they meant just
what they said, as the corporation bosses
and their organs will find out a little later
OH.
The Pioneer Press says that the resolu-
tions stigmatize as plunderers and thieves
all who are charged with the management
of the railroads of the state. Do they?
Well, let us look at the resolutions ado pied
by the farmers and see what they say. Here
is the resolution:
Resolved, That we emsnd such a reduc-
ton in the rates OF transportation of freight
and passengers on the railroads of this state
as viii leave the companies after paying TIA cir
legitimate expenses a Just aud reasonable in
torest on the money invested in the actual
construction of the road, but not one dollar
of the ''stealage" on watered stock.
viii any railroad company which does
not carry watered stock find a charge of
thiavinp innliad I'm 4hof yoeoIrt;ooO n
viii the Pioneer Press say that railway
company which does water its stock ought
to assess a tax on the shippers in the shape
of freight rates in order to pay dividends on
its watered stock. Here is the whole con-
troversy between the farmers and the rail
roads boiled down to a single prcpo-
sitiOn. The farmers say that the rail-
roads are entitled to fix rates high
enough to pay all legitimate expenses
and just and reasonable interest on all the
money invested in the actual construction
of the roads Here is a proposition which
is the very essence of fairness. and il must
commend itself to every honest mind. But
because the farmers denOminate the levying
of rate assessments to pay dividends on
watered stock as ''cOagulated stealage-
they are denounced by the Pioneer Press as
extremists. There is no wonder that sus-
pcion has crept into the public mind that
there is an intimate nervous connection be-
tween the Pioneer Press and the corpora
tions. Whenever a monopoly is hit, the
Pioneer Press yells.
CHICAGO HISTORY