St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-28
SAINT PAUL.
CHIT CHAT CORNER.

Minnesota's Swamp Lands.--Rail-
road Discrimination --- Local
Jails - Crop Prospects -. Con-
VictS Observation-Disclosures
Exhibits at Buffalo.
"The title of the state to the swamp
lands is causing great deal OF trouble
and annoyance" remarked State Aud
EtOr Braden. From the year 1860 up to
a recent date, under the ruling of Hon.
Joseph Wilson, commissioner of the
general land Office, the state has held
all swamp land upon the notes OF the
surveyor general. Now the secretary
of the interior has decreed that any one
may claim a homestead upon this land
If he can prove that it is not swamp, or,
la other hands ucceSsfully, despite the
eorrectne's of the surveyor generals
notes. A man Il. Dixie has done this,
and TO-DAY assistant Attorney Childs is
ct Redwood cOntesting the case. The
acreage of swamp lands in this state ag-
gregateS 5,000,00
The state board of charities and cor
TectiCns received yesterday from Eng
land a report on prisons of the world,
published by the secretary OF the How
Nlu dCSOCldlioHs III lCGOlR WV
American prison system is severely
criticised. and the reports issued by
Rev. Hastings Hart, of Minnesota, are
freely quoted. especially with reference
to the filthy condition of local jailS. The
writer remarks: 1.-The popular indiffer-
ence to this condition of things in the
United States is amazing. Intelligent
rs the Americans are in some matters,
certain sections of them appear TO be
strikingly ignorant of the immense
pecuniary waste and increasing crlml-
pality that is so prevalent in their midst.
Until a national change IN the appoint
nent and functions of American sher-
IFS and justices takes place. there seems
10 be little prospect of the needful radi-
cal improvement in the thousands OF
ordinary local jails."
~
Railroad Commissioner Austin re-
Burned yesterday from tour of inSpec-
zion in Southern Minnesota. during
Ghich he went over the Omaha road to
kasota and the Northwestern to Red
wood. But one complaint of an i'm
pOrtant bearing was made, and that
was urged by people residing beyond
st. Peter. They complained" said
the commissioner. "of the ineonvenient
service between that point and st.
Paul and Minneapolis. The North
%eStern is operated largely in the inter
SSt of Chicago, and as consequence,
excellent through car service is pro-
Vided the residents of Southern Mime
sofa to and from that city. 1t is quite
Che reverse. however, travelling be-
tween the Twin Cities, passengers be-
ing subjected TO waits of several hours
at Kasota. If it is a return journey
from St.Paul, passengers aresdetained at
kaSota from 9p.m. until am, which the
people denOunce as most outrageous
proceeding. The commissioners will
look into the matter, and if remedy
can be found without mountaineering
other communities, they will, probably,
force the railroad company to make
Some alteration"
Excellent wheat and grass crops are
reported in and about Redwood Falls"
continued the commissioner, land an
Illustration was given me by farmer
of Lac-Qui-Parle. He stated that he
had this week taken fifteen sacks of
wheat to market, for which he obtained
$50. Last year he took thirty sacks and
secured only SIS. This is most reaSsur-
Ing to agriculturiStS, after the disap-
pointments they have had of late years
through bad seasons and low prices"
~
The system of government in all pen
ltentiaries should be based upon desire
TO convert convicts into good and use
ful members of society. Whether this
is universally adopted may very prop
erly be doubted; and not only there in
prison, but upon release, convict,
anxious to reform, is surrounded with
difficulties. The faint of guilt hangs TO
him like the curse of Cain, and honest
livelihood is practically impossible.
Secretary Hart, of the state board of
charities and corrections, said yester-
day: "A convict will be released from
Saltwater on the 18th proX. He is a
married man, with a family. and is
anxious to obtain work. He desires to
be employed by some one aware of his
past career. so that they may not turn
him away when the stray of his crime
comes to their ears. The man is de-
sirouS of earning an honorable living,
and l would like to secure him posi-
ton by the date of his release"
~
People at Buffalo, n. Y, where Mr..
p. B. Groat, of the land department of
the Northern Pacific road, made such
large and splendid display of the
products Of the states and territories
through which the road runs, have sent
him a picture of the exhibit. All the
space devoted to the Northern Pacific
is shown. The largest pumpkins, the
biggest wheat, rye, oats, barley, onions
and potatoes occupying prominent po-
sitionS. 1t was UnqueStionably the
most striking display that a railroad
ever made, and arrested the attention
of all visitors to the exposition. Many
expressed their astonishment that the
Northwest could produce such a variety
and superior quality of the staples of
life.