St. Paul daily globe., 1889-03-16
The Duluth & Winnipeg Grant.

To the Editor of the Globe.
ST. PAUL, March 14.-Men who are
residents Of this state and who are
thoroughly conyersant with Duluth &
Winnipeg railroad affairs have been
hoping that fair and honest statements
and methods would be used in discuss
ing and treating this matter. When day
succeeds day and we read articles that
contain quotations garbled to serve
false ends, and statements that will not
bear the light of truth couched in
phraseOlogy that permits double mean
ing, it seems as though there was back
of it all propelling force actuated by
other motives than those that have the
welfare of the state at heart. as they
profess to have. Upon all public occa-
sions when opportunity has been offered,
the fullest investigation in every sense
of the Duluth & Winnipeg affairs
has been invited, and in every
instance the company has come off vic
tor. The majority of the present incor-
poratorS are honorable residents of this
state who have now put their energies
into project, which was instituted
years ago for the acknowledged benefit
of the state. And now they find them
selves confronted with accusations thai.
are tat4lsstG iii SsYery particular. From
dark and mysterious places there are
thrown out to the public ear: "a gi-
gantic steal of swamp landS;;" "A pine
land ring seeking to defraud the state
of millions of acres of land;" 1.-THE
whole matter a piece of jObbery." etc.
The same conditions that gave rise to
this land grant in 1878 exist now and III
a stronger degree, and the human vul-
lures. who cast the slurs above quoted,
have not the moral or physical courage
to confront face to face those men who
have subscribed to this project
and accuse them of these untruths.
asking, for the first and only time, a
favor that has been granted in the past
to every similar corporation from two to
six times. Openly and frankly they
state their case and give reasons that
cannot be controverted as to why this
favor should be extended to them and
they ask TO be met in the same fair and
open manner. Excepting in one par
ticular, not single opposing issue has
been brought out openly and above
board. What mighty force is it then
that is moving the powers of darkness
tC thwarU the construction of this road?
Who is it that now controls the Brain
erd 81 Northwestern railroad and wishes
I'd StruC anu parade DeIOfe the people as
a public benefactor? For whose benefit
are special kilograms and resolutions
from the city of Brainerd show
cred upon us and whose interests
can be best forwarded by the
publication of distorted maps?
What mighty corporation is it who
has profited by millions of dollars from
the sale of lands in this state, and who
is now so SOlicitous about the education
of children yet to be born?
At day not far distant certain peo-
pie treading path not of this earth
will approach pearly gate seeking adj
mittance, and the guardian thereof will
wave them back with the rebuke that
the distribution of few boars and bulls
does not entitle them to everlasting
peace.
The people in the north third of this
state are looking with longing eyes to
the legislature, and Supplicating to be
freed from siavedom that is sapping
their very life, and which has driven
thousands of people from our state.
The Duluth & Winnipeg road will give
them that freedom, and no other road
will.
If free and open discussion of this
matter shows the Duluth dG Winnipeg
to have made a just request. then let it
be granted; otherwise let it be denied,
but let their opponents come out into
the light and show themselves in their
true celOrS. X.