The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-01-04
WHO SHALL BE sENAToR7
A Blue Earth County Farmer Dis
Cusses the Question In a Most
Business-Like Manner.
Editor Frse Rre.s.

cusses the Question In a Most
Business-Like Manner.
Editor Free Press:
If you viii kindly permit it 1 would
like to say TO you how many of US who
are farmers and not politicians and Office
seekers look upon this senatorial mat
ter. In the sen.tor, as man, we have
no interest except that his general APP
pearance and public and private charac-
ter shall be in keeping with the honora-
Bile position he holds. To consider his
personal interests, to honor him or be
honoIed simply by him is not our object.
With us it is purely matter of business,
estimated upon losses and benefits. We
have great and vital interests, and con-
Germs common to all farmers abont which
We feel much anxiety, and the fate of
which rest in the hands of congress
We alone are producers, and to obtain
our products is the combined interest of
all other people, hence the importance
and seriousness of the case. Therefore
our great aim should be to secure the
service of those who represent us there,
and whose private interests and connec-
tons are at least not set opposing to
ours.
For the senatorshlp about to become
vacant two are prominently mentioned
to fill IT'D. NJ. Sabin, the present in
cumbent, and w. ID. Washburn. On
personal grounds between them we have
no choice, both are said to be good citi-
zens with ability, but when we come to
consider them in the light of their fitness
to be our business agent in the senate it
becomes very different thing. would
not wish to intimate that either would
do dishonorable act, but we assume
that these as all other men have done
will view and consider things as they
may effect their own personal interests
and act accordingly, and in 80 doing pro-
tect themselves and their interests first.
History confirms this position. ID. NJ.
Sabin has served us in the senate one
term. During that time we have heard
many things not complimentary of him,
which have caused us to place him on
the defensive, and weigh upon its mer-
its his every act with our preiudices
against him. Carefully scrutinizing them
all with no sympathy for him we not
only do not find that he has betrayed us
but that in fact every act In which we as
farmers were interested he has invaria-
bly, been active and efficient in our be-
half. Surely then this talk does not in
terest US, and if any are offended it must
be our enemies. If this be so, is he not
our man, and shall we drop him for
their sakes2 If he has served us well
and the politician poorly let us be salts
fed and thankful.
How is it with Mr.. Washburn? Be-
fore me is a map of New York, Ohio,
Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois,
Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and Dakota.
II is covered with railroads, and among
them find one running from Oaks, Da-
kota, via Minneapolis and st. Paul to the
800, the eastern terminus of Lake SUI
perior, managed and chiefly owned by
w. ID. Washburn. At this point let me
say that outside of any other considera-
ton can We as farmers afford Just at this
time when the question of the relation
of railways to the public is in the midst
of discussion, and the crisis is on, and
railways eyerywhere-Mr Washburn's
with the rest-are showing disposition
to yield US recognition only to the ex-
tent that thew must and concede to us
only such rights as the courts compel
/
that we are unjustly dealt with by the
railways on the matter of freight rates
and the legislation for which we have SO
long and earnestly prayed is Just in Its
infancy and immature, and when con-
gress has responded to our prayer in the
interstate commerce law, which meas
ure Senator Sabin aided in formulating
and most heartily and efficiently sup
ported, and which has done so much to
aid us and particularly our smaller cities
as Mankato in the matter of discrimina-
ting rates as between them and Mime
apolis and st. Paul. say, can we at this
critical moment take the chances of IL
trusting our interest in this matter in
the hands of railway president, partic-
ularly when he is confessed opponent
of the law? This is no time to tie our
hands or put ourselves at the mercy of
any one, or exchange known friend for
one whose interest is in the line of our
enemies. 1t is not time for sickly sem
timality.
The great question for the farmer,
above all others combined, is the freight
on his production to sell and his mer-
chandise to buy, and to no section in the
far West has nature granted such aid in
this respect as to Minnesota and Dako-
ia. Right to Its very interior has the
sea thrust its long arm in the shape of
Lake Superior. Look with me at this map
and you will see that Duluth and Mime
sofa are just as near to New York by the
water route as are Chicago and Illinois.
Does 1t need any argument to show what
the cheap lake freight has done for Chi
cago and Illinois? Is it not also true
that annually Immediately on the close
of navigation the railways advance the
rates from Chicago East? From Chica-
go to New York by water is nearly 800
miles farther than by railway, vet taking
the year together the rate by water is
little over half what it is by rail. If this
be so must 1t not be much cheaper from
Duluth to New York by water when the
distance by rail is many miles the long,
er? The only obstruction to this is the
imperfect condition of the strait, which
is the outlet of the lake where Mr.. Wash
burns road connects with the Canadian
Pacific known as the $500" The stream
here is shallow and rapid, and in low
water becomes very troublesome to nav
lgate, and will not permit the passage of
vessels of sufficient capacity to do the
immense traffic of the Northwest. The
vessels now in use and as large as can
pass at all times are unsafe and unsea-
worthy when on the larger waters of the
lake. To remedy this large canal with
locks must be built. This will require
more money than private parties can af-
ford, and the needs of the case have
been laid before congress, which through
the untiring efforts of the entire Minne-
sofa DELEGATION In congress has devised a
plan and made partial appropriation.
To meet the increasing demand of traffic
and in view of the step congress has
taken the st. Paul, Minneapolis & Mani
toba railway company is building feet
Of elk vessels of burden of 200 tons
each, drawing IL feet of water to be
ready for the lake business in the spring
of 1889. The Pennsylvania railway COM
pany is also preparing for the building
of similar fleet. The wheat product
tributary to Duluth that must be moved
East either in the shape of wheat and
-four will not be less than $4,000, 900
bushels next year. By the use of the
lake route saving of at least 10 cents
per bushel will inure to the producer.
Here is saving of at least IS, COX, 900 in
one year on this commodity alone. To
this it is safe to add 100000 more as
saved on the merchandise and coal that
these vessels will bring when coming for
grain. Will any one doubt this when it
is known that freights the past sum-
| Eer reached figure as low as two cents
per bushel for wheat from Duluth to Buff
falo, and 10 cents per ton on coal deliv-
cred by the incoming vessel? It may
be urged that the lake is not available
| during most of the year. This is In part
| true. But it must be borne In mind that
one-fourth of the crop &c, 1000, 900 BUSH
els) can be moved before the close of
navigation, with the elevator capacity
along the various lines of railway and in
the cities which amounts to at least 40
600, 600 bushels and the farmers granary
capacity which amounts to at least TO-
0O0,0 bushels, leaves but little that
i must be moved during the close of nayi-
i cation. With an annual saving of least