The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-03-11

VA0 VtsAAA' AA0 AAoV uoJ PAVO00N~
ings were preliminary to the work of
the convention, with M. s. Converse of
Becker county in the chair, and Lyman
Loring of Clay county secretary. The
following committee on resolutions was
appointed:
Charles Canning. Norman; H. G.
Stordock, Wilkin; P. S. Olson. Nor
man; A. NJ. Burdick, Clay; E. NJ.
Jelem, Becker; T. H. Barnett, Grant,
and E. N. Bradish, Polk.
SECOND DAY.
The second day opened with large
attendance and was devoted to discuss
ing freights and grades, the proceed
ings being animated and interesting
throughout. Messrs. Baker, Murdoch
and Becker of the State railroad COM
mission were present.
Mr.. Loring stated that the principal
grievance of the farmer was the high
freight rate charges by the railroads to
transport the great staple product Of
that region of country to the markets
at Duluth and Minneapolis. The farm
ers were not disposed to regard the
railroads as their enemies, but rather,
as their partners, and tho complaint
was that the railroads got too large 4
share of the profits. The people had
the right, under the decisions of the
Supreme court and rules of the rail-
regulate freight charges.
Gen. Baker, speaking for the State
railroad commissioners, said they
were in full harmony with the produc-
ing classes, and while doing Justice to
all, should give the most liberal inter-
probation to laws favoring their interest.
The operation of the railroad law was
even better than had been anticipated
and it was believed to be the best rail-
road law possessed by any state, and q
great point had been gained
by securing an open market
and free shipment. All the roads had
complied with section Is (requiring
r. RS. to allow warehouses built) ex-
cept the Milwaukee and they must do
80 or suit would follow. Section is,
requiringroads to furnish cars. all faith
fully complied with. Under section
20, on the Manitoba road, the Com
missioner has found a number of dis
ordinations, from half cent to two
cents against towns on that line. Mr..
Hill had promised that all such dis
ordinations should be swept away,
and he was now East conferring
with the directors on that mat
ter. The Manitoba is not only
paying all fixed operating expenses,
but also or Z per cent on bonds
and 6 or per cent. on stock; it made
in 1884 q surplus of 100000 and in
1885 surplus of $1,050,OOO. The
Commissioners deem the rates of this
road unreasonable and think they have
the power to say so. The Commits
sioners believed the time bad come
when passenger rates should be re.
duced to three cents a mile. The
same as in Illinois, Iowa ano
Wisconsin, and Minnesota has more
miles of road than Wisconsin.
Messrs. Loring, Torgerson, Mattson,
Canning and Donaldson were appointed
. committee to submit questions to the
Commissioners to he answered in writ
ing.
The morning session was devoted to
the consideration and discussion of the
series of resolutions, which after the
debate were adopted as follows:
Resolved, That the farmers of thu
Fifth congressional district, after due
elaboration and investigation, find that
tho railroad rates arc unjust, excessive and
extortionate; thst all our petitions fol-
relief have been met with fair promises,
only to be broken, as experience proves;
therefore We request q reduction of 33A
per cent and if not granted in thirty
days We demand our honorable board Of
railroad and warehouse commissioners to
fix rates.
Resolved, That We recommend the
farmers Of tho Northwest to build hat
those houses that comply with the
warehouse laws at terminal points.
Resolved, That We instruct our represen.
tatives In congress and senator's to support
. bill reported by the senate committee on
interstate commerce for the regulation and
control of railroads by the federal govern
mont.
Resolved, That We recognize in the Farm.
ers' Alliance of Minnesota an active, ener-
getfc and powerful organization for the
overthrow OF monopoly, and We thank them
for the full, clear and fearless declaration
Of principles adopted at the annual conven.
tion, and We hereby recommend tho ALI
earnest financial and personal support.
The concluding session of the con-
vention in the afternoon was occupied
with addresses by o. c. Gregg OF
Lyons county upon Institute Work, C.
L. Smith of Hennepin county upon
Better Farming, and by Mr.. Hodges
the state lecturer of the Farmers
Alliance.