St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-10

imum rate for transportation of the various
classes of freight, the difficulties attending
the solution Of the transportation problem
would almost, if not entirely, disappear. In
fixing this rate 1t is contemplated to consider
all competitive and special conditions, and
then to permit the railroads to make such
tariffs as they please within the maximum
named. There seems to be much in this
suggestion to commend. although in the en-
| deavor to secure good results from state
| law based thereon it would be necessary to
/ consider many causes that should influence
rates as between specified points.
| = 1t must be borne in mind that powerful
| corporations are thoroughly equipped in the
| way of organization to protect themselves as
they have the advantages that always come
| to the concentration of capitaf; hence, while
| your board Of commissioners should be
just and impartial umpire in passing judg-
ment upon such issues as come before 1t, at
| the same time it becomes its province to sup
ply, in itself, to the people of the state an
organization worthy to combat that with
| which 1t comes in contact and in such sense.
/ and to that extent, the board OF COM
I missioners may be said to represent the
| state and to act in its interest.
| One of the principal objections to the law
| asit now stands is the limited period Of serv-
i ice allotted each member of the board Of
| commissioners. In view Of the knowledge
| required to properly comprehend the com
| plex questions arising in connection with
| proper administration of the duties of the
commission, it might be well to increase the
! tenure of office. 1t can at once be understood
how valuable factor experience becomes in
| work of this nature, and it has been sug-
gested that the time of service of each conl-
missioner be increased to six (6) years, IN
stead of being limited to three ~. as at pres
| enr one member of the board to retire every
second year. This would undoubtedly have
the effect that invariably follows familiarity
| with duties assumed. viz: better and more
| efficient service.
| In this connection I wish to say that I re-
| gard the compensation of the railroad and
| warehouse commissioners of our state, as
| fixed by law, inadequate and not at all COM
| mensurate with the trust reposed i'll them
and the grave responsibilities they assume.
| To be able to deal justly with the great in
terests involved, and to impartially
and properly pass upon the i'm,
the board should be the peer of any man in
the state, in Judgment, experience and busi-
ness ability. 1t is requiring too much of men
| of this stamp to ask them to resign lucrative
| positions or neglect a profitable business to
accept this honorable trust while the renu
| meration remains SO small.
REATPORTIoNMENT.
| The feeling has been growing Of late years
| that new apportionment bill should be
! passed. giving fuller representation in our
| senate and house of representatives to those
| parts of the state in which the population
| has so largely increased.
| This increase has been more marked in the
| those living in the Fifth congressional dis
| trict, that have been most benefited by the
large immigration with which We have been
favored.
1t is evidently no more than fair that the
| parts of the STATE named should receive con-
| siderale treatment in this matter, and COM
mend it to your attention as one worthy Of
| prompt action.
THE ELECTIVE SYSTEM.
| Fol the first time the election law passed
| known as the Whiteman law, was given q
| thorough trial, and it was found that it pos
seSsed much to commend it to thinking
| people. 1t is certainly great improvement
| over all previous statutes affecting our elec-
| tions.
| One of the great evils Of our elective sys-
| tenn has been the fraud and corruption that
| has been possible under the enactments that
| have previously governed the franchise, and
| which the new law seeks to obviate. In
| measure it seems to accomplish the purpose,
| although in some respects 1t is cumbersome,
! and in its practical operation inthe large cit
| les exceedingly expensive.
| Its provisions require that, in all cities OF
| over 12,O0U Inhabitants, separate ballot
| boxes are to be provided for the deposit of
| national, state, congressional Judicial, legls-
seem as if the ballots of the candidates for
| the various offices could be concentrated to
| an extent that would save both annoyance
| and expense.
| 1t would be we'll, in my opinion, to change
| the hours for voting, SO that the polls could
| be opened at o'clock a. m, instead of 8
! o'clock. and close at 5 o'clock instead of z
| O'Clock p M, thus giving to those who go to
| their work at all early hour an opportunity
| to first deposit their ballot.
| Many have complained because Of the fact
| that voters are net permitted to register as
| late as the Saturday preceding election day,
| and think that some additional opportunity
| should be afforded for this purpose.
/ c a
| days are so long prior to the day upon which
1 the election is held, that many forget or neg
! leet to register untA reminded of the duty by
| the near approach of election day, and when
| il is too late. ~o
| In any modification of the present law it
| would seem to be advisable to provide at
! least one or two days for registration imme-
| diately preceding the Sunday before cleo
| ton. to cover such cases as are above referred
| to- as we'll as instances where voters have
| been absent from home upon the registration
| days as now set apart.
REFORM SCHOOL.
| At the legislative session of 1887 law was
| enacted creating commission to decide
| upon new site for reform school, and q
| location was determined upon near the city
| of Red Wing, but for some reason the mem
bers of the reform school board have taken
The citizens of Goodhue county feel that
steps should at once be taken in accordance
with the spirit of the law as enacted.
| | am sure that, in this matter, the people
! of that section of the state are entitled to
| consideration at your hands. and that you
will regard it as your duty to see that the law
| is carried into effect by the reform school
| board without further delay.
| THE CAPITOL SITE.
Some wears since, about o. 400 acres of land
| situated in Kandiyohi county were set apart
to the state. as a site for a state capitol. in
case it was ever decided by the people to
| change the seat Of government.
IL, hkan rryO1l lnI fnnI Isy,~
| that the present location of the state house
| is satisfactory, and that the lands in Kandi-
I yohi county will not be required for the pur-
| pose for which they were selected, it would
| appear to be wise to enact law directing the
state auditor to sell them and apply the pro-
| ceeds to the general revenue fund of the
| state.
These lands are very desirable lying in the
| in the state. and would command ready
sale at an excellent price. The people of
Kandiyohi county very properly wish the
| lands sold, that they might have the benefit
of the taxes thereon that would then accrue
| to that county.
| Several attempts have been made, at the
different sessions of the legislature, to make
| some final and satisfactory disposition Of
| this matter, and it would seem as if there
| should be no further delay in taking such
! Kandiyohi county.
It is estimated that the sum Of seventy-five
| thousand dollars (S15, ,O0O) could be Obtained
| from this source.
SOLDIERS HOME.
To my mind the state has done a very wise
| and humane act in providing suitable and
| comfortable home for the soldiers who took
| part in the war for the defense of the Union.
| Certainly it is as little as grateful people
! can do for those that survive of the loyal de-
tenders of the country to see that they are
| placed beyond want. To allow any of those
who fought their country's battles to die in
| o1,,,ch 10
praiseworthy.
DAIRY INTERESTS.
| 1t has been suggested that the duties Of the
| dairy commissioner be enlarged so as to in
al. 10 oil