St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-11
FARMERS OPPOSE RINGS.
Wheat Grades and Elevators Cause a
Heated Debate.
DoNNELLY NOT INDoRsED.
Railroad Commissioner Gibbs Shows
Traces OF His Handiwork in Rsselu-
tions Submitted to the Alliance. Il


the sun had passed behind the western
hills, and the gold watches Of the mem
bers of the Farmers Alliance indicated
| that it was o'clock, ''if we do not make
progress with more rapidity we will be
in session all winter" The day was a
hot one, however, and there was war to
the knife over the acceptance of the re-
port Of the committee ON credentials.
A piece of inside history in connection
with the report leaked out last evening.
While the members were in caucus the
advisability of passing resolution con-
demndtory of Dairy Commissioner Ives
was considered. The opponents of that
gentleman for reappointmeut claimed
that he had not enforced the dairy laws
with sufficient rigor, and had also per-
mitted 100000 pounds of adulterated
cheese to be sold in the state during the
past year. AT the earnest solicitation
of the commissioners personal friends
the obnoxious resolution was dropped.
The morning session was barren of re-
suits. A congratulatory telegram was
sent to the National alliance in session
at Des Molnes, and T. 81. Lucas deliv-
cred lengthy address on the single tax
theory. President Atwood took oc-
vogue by the board of regents of the
state university, and the gauntlet thus
thrown down was
PICKED UP WITH AVIDITY.
A motion to adjourn until 1:30 p. m.
was carried in the midst of a heated de-
bate.
The report of the committee OH con-
stitution and bylaws was adopted as
the first business of the afternoon. By
an amendment to the constitution the
Office of corresponding secretary was
abolished and the recording secretary
authorized to perform his duties. He
will be selected by the executive COM
mittee, instead of by election. The
treasurer'S report showed balance of
$5.77 in the treasury, and that S467. Is
has been received during the year.
John l.. Gibbs, chairman of the COM
mittee on resolutions, presented the re-
suit of that committees labors, and
stated that Gen. Barrett did not concur
in the report. What the points of diff
ference were between the majority and
the minority the railroad commissioner
did not say. The resolutions were sim
liar in character to those usually issued
by the alliance, the most important
being a recommendation of Ignatius
Donnelly for the United States in rec
ognition of his services in the past. An
other resolution was to the effect that
the legislature should enact a law
making it obligatory upon each ele-
VatOr and WarehOuSeman to become re-
sponsible to the ticket holder for the
grade, weights and samples made by
him as the
OWNER OF THE ELEVATOR.
That he should be under the control
of the public examiner appointed by
the board of railroad and warehouse
commissioners. and that the commits
sioners should have full control over
these local warehouses and elevators
similar to the control that they now
have over the elevators at the terminal
points, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Du-
luth.
AS soon as the report was read a mo-
ton for its adoption was made, which
was amended to have it adopted by sec
tions. After discussion standing vote
was called for. II hope no man will
vote unless he is entitled to" said Pres
ident Atwood. as he cast his eyes toward
the'door and noted the crowd of curious
spectators who blocked the rear of the
room.
.sLet every member of the alliance
hold up his hand" said Charles Can
ming, and accordingly. like lot of school
boys, about fifty farmers elevated their
hands. iia@
''Forty men to- down Donnelly," said
Eric Olson after he had finished per-
forming his allotted function from the
seat of friendly chair.
The president announced that the
amendment was carried by vote of 40
to 81. In accordance with the result of
a hn nfuf nd
as SOOu as the obnoxious resolution was
reached the remainder of the afternoon
was taken up in debate.
There was an impression that the reso-
luton was the work of Commissioner
Gibbs, for that gentleman had endeav-
ored to have the law as briefly outlined
passed at the last session of the legis-
IatUre. Mr.. Gibbs defended himself
with credit and spirit, and
PARRIED THE QUESTIONS
of his inauisitors with good effect. The
enemies and friends of the resolution
agreed on but single point at issue,
which was that its passage or rejection
would benefit the wheat ring according
to the standpoint from which the orator
viewed the question.
Gen. Barrett. Charles Canning, T. G.
Hodgson and Senator Hixon were fore
llIOSL III COlIuCilHluS tilC iCSOltltlOus df1u
IgnatiuS Donnelly and Senator Shields
led the opposing forces in manner
which made the fight a hot one.
''This is a question of great import
anee," said T. G. Hodgson. ''If we
cannot protect ourselves we must bring
the law and its proper machinery to our
aid. If the station agent does not offer
me the proper grade, enough or suffi-
cIent price for my wheat, [ am not
obliged to accept the proposition. | can
go elsewhere. Many farmers are cheat
ed in horse flesh. Why do you not in
sttute bill for their special guardian
ship in this particular instaneep Every
man who wants to buy load of wheat
should be permitted to do SO without
supervision."
81 do not believe in issuing wheat
tickets" said Senator Hixson. 81 know
that Mr.. Barrett sent some wheat to
market and none came back. 1t was
rejected because it was stack-burnt,
when, as matter of fact, he hadn't
burned any wheat for five years, but
had threshed it during that time"
The vote on the announcement was
finally taken, and the result at first In
dieated deadlock. as there were thirty
eight votes On each side. On careful
recount, however, the clerk announced
that there were thirty-nine votes against
the resolution, which was accordingly
lost.
WANT A REST.