The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-12-30
THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC..

TIRE LIQUOR TRAFFIC..
You will be called upon at this sessj ion to CON
slider measures looking 20 the further regulation
OF the liquur bushes in this state. The people
have pronounced in i&ror Of nigh license, local
option and rhG rigid enforcement Of the laws re-
Lifting to the liquor traffic" and now turn to YOU
In the hope aud expectation that you Will, i'll the
form If suitable legislation. give effect to the
verdict which they have found. Outside of the
limited number engaged in the liquor traffic in
this state, the people, by i very large majority
and without regard to political parties, favor
the measures proposed. can see no reason why
the desired lelsst. ion should not be promptly
enacted 1t is Undoubtedly true that while the
question OF high license does not properly relate
TO party politics. II Is one OF intense interest to
the liquor vendors OF the state. and in cities
and large towns has become the predominant
issue at every election. The liquor interests are
organized compact power for the avowed
purpose of combating all efforts looking to the
further regulation or the liquor traffic. The Of
feet of such on organization Ill such case can
not be otherwise than harmful All questions
are made secondary to that OF high license. and
every man who stands for Office and more par
tlculariy 4 legislative otice-is required to
pledge himself against 1t, or stand the
hrunt of their united opposition, in
many cases Gaming utter defeat from the out
set. In all candor submit to you il this Is not
Il perncious influence on the legislation OF the
state. Two years ago u high license bill was be-
fore the legislat arc, with every prospect of be-
coming q law, but was finally defeated through
the organized efforts OF the liquor interests.
This organization is much stronger to-day than
ii was then. and will no doubt oppose with zeal
worthy OF q better cause the measures proposed.
But trust this legislature, elected on the issue
OF high license and local option" is also
stronger on this subject than its predecessor.
aud that it has the courage aad independence 10
refuse 70 be bound and controlled 10y the liquor
dealers l nave no word to utter against these
mcn-l am willing to concede that many OF them
regard the proposed measures as an intrin-e-
ment on their personal rights sud liberty, but i'll
the name OF that great BUDDY OF our citizens who
beIieve il so6riety, III law and order. and VINO
recognize and dellor3 he evils traoeaDle to the
liquor traffic, l protest against that interest
being permitted TO dominate the legislation of
the stat. 1t is not only your province but your
duty to eliminate f.r as practicable these
evils. 1t is believed that high license ana local
option viii minimize them. Sharing in this be-
lief, and de ring TO keep faith with the people,
| recommend the enactment OF suitable ana eiii-
Client legislation TO carry the proposed measures
into effect.
PRISON LABOR
During the last few years-and more especially
during the last year or two-the subject of
prison labor and its effect free labor. when
brought into competition herewith. las received
much earnest considetat lo3. not only bv labor
organic itions throughout the country, but by
thoughtful men in the professions and other
walks of life, whose onlT interest ia the matter
has been one of justice to all parties concerned,
and o. good to society. That prisoners should
work does not admit OF argument. For reasons
of discipline and health. il for no other. they
must lie Kept employed But how to do this and
not bring the products Of their la Dor into COM
petition with those Of free workiugInen ard me-
chanlcs IS 4 problem which has engaged the at
tention OF many earnest and able men, and
which you will probably be called upon to con-
slider at this session. 1 am well convinced that
the system Of letting the prison labor cut by
contract to the lowest bidder, now prevailing in
this state, Is unjust in many ways, AID should
be abolished and to this end recommend such
legislation as will prohibit it's extension beyond
the term of the present contract. Tho price
paid by the contractor in Minnesota per convict
is cents q day, and this labor is utilized in
the manufacture Of articles which are sold in
the market il competition with like articles
suit of this system Is TO reduce the wages of free
mechanics, and in numbers of cases in
other states has broken down manufacturing
establishments and thrown hundreds of me-
chanics aud other worklngnen out Of employ
ment With this state Ct things existing it is
not to be wondered that the representatives. of
free labor complain. confess the fullest SYM
pathv with them state can not be greater
than its citizens. Its prosperity Is measured by
theirs, and whatever contributes to their adj
vantage adds to its greatness. 1t may be found
on investigation that the evils resultant from
the system in this state are not great as
ropresented- nevertheless the system is bad, and
should be abolished. Free labor naturally rebels
against competition with the labor of criminals,
and who can blame it? Is should be the policy
of the state to exals and dignity labor, and to
conserve in every reasonable and proper way
the interests of its laboTing mon. In this spirit
recommend the abrogation OF the system in
Minnesota, and commend the matter TO you in
necessary to bring this about you will freely
grant.
DRAINAGE
In July last a delegate convention Of residents
and property owners Of that portion OF the Red
river valley lying III Minnesota was held at the
city of Crookston. to devise means and adopt
methods for comprehensive system of dramas &c
for that fertile section OF the state. The action
of the convention resulted in the employment OF
competent engineers to make surveys, adopt d
plan and report at a subsequent meeting, with
estimates of the cost OF the proposed work. The
report has been submitted and, am informed
will be laid before you with request for legis-
lation III further2nce Of the enterprise. The
scheme is one of great Importance. not only tc
the agriculture OF that wide bet of territory
stretching from the mouth of the Bois de Sioux
river on the south to the Manitoba line on the
north with its deep alluvial soil and wonderful
| wheat-producing powers but to every city
town, village and industry within its limits, and
indirectly to the state at large. doubt not that
| YOU will extend to an enterprise promising such
far-reaching results all the aid which the state
can render keeping in view the restrictive pre-.
| visions Of sections and 10 Of article 8 of ths
| constitution. The passage OF a we'll considered
drainage law, applicable to all sections OF the
| state, would prove OF great utility. The law or
| the subject, now on our statue books, has beer
| found inadequate to the necessities and ehoult
| be radically amended or superseded by an ac
much more comprehensive and better adapted
| to our wants.
I SOLDIERS HOME.
| I commend to your favorable consideration
| the subject OF soldiers home. Representative!
| Of several organizations OF ex-sOlders In thi!
| state, who have for some time past given this
| subject careful consideration, insist that thu
| time has now come when 1t is necessary for the
| state to provide home for the veterans OF The
late war, citizens of Minnesota who are disabled
and needy. 1t has been ascefta1ued that NOR
| than fifty ex-soldiers arc subjects OF public
| charity within our borders. 1t Is also NOTABLE
! fact that the generous provision made by tn
| government nearly twenty years ago IN estab
fishing five branch homes in different parts o
the country have now become entirely made
| is uuquestionably tbs DUTY OF the nation to pro
vide for these men suitable homes. the people o
| Minnesota will never willingly consent that be
cause of inadequate provision made by the gen
| eral government any ex-soldfer within our Dor
| ders shall be quartered in an aims house. Man.
other states. notably Michigan and Illinois, hav
| set worthy examples in this direction. To yO'
| is accorded the privilege OF giving substantial
| expression to the gratitude which the people o
Minnesota feel toward the defenders OF tn
| Union, whose heroism and valor from 1861 t.
| 1865 preserved US a nation.
The death roll OF the old soldiers tells u
plainly that whatever is to be done IN this oil
! reotfon must be done promptly. 1t must b.
done, not charity, but as one OF the man!
obligations resting upon us as citizens OF com
mon country for which these men did valien
service in the dark days Of the rebellion.
| However generously we may deal with them
our country will still be beyond calculation
! their debtor And while l would not recon
| mend extravaganza even i'll this direction, 1 q
| recommend such reasonable expenditure as vii
secure home and comforts TO these old vet
erans leaving the details of the measure to you
! Judgment.
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
take pleasure in recommending the creation
| and es aDlishmeut by suitable legislation OF
| state bureau Of labor statistics. This measur
| was promised by both of the leading politics
parties of the state in the late campaign. ane
| as a matter Of good faith now. If for no othe
reason. should be carried out But there al
| other reasons sufficient in themselves to justif
it. 1t is important to the whole state, an