New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1891-01-21

done in the direction Of reducing the cost
terminal points when the amendment sug-
gested is carried into effect.
GRAIN INSPECTION.
to the board of railroad and warehouse
commissioners is the inspection and weigh
Ing OF grain. i confess to approaching this
subject with diffdence. as I am not entirely
positive whether our present system is all
that can be desired. The grading of wheat
is not an exact science, but is largely mat
ter of individual judgment. Grain experts
will not always agree, and as result there
is frequently divergence of opinion be-
tween inspectors in the country and at ter
minal points of so marked character as to
produce much confusion and often dissatis-
faction. have addressed comm unications
to many OF the leading farmers of the state.
ers of wheat, and with practical unanimlty
they concur i'll the opinion that the law, in
its present form, with possibly some slight
amendments, is as effective as any enact
ment that can be devised for the purposes
Intended. Some suggest that's board of ap-
peal be provided at each terminal point to
adjust any question Of grades arising
| deem to be wise suggestion.
The problem of grading at local stations
is more difficult to solve. 1t would be i'm
practi cable to maintain state inspection at
the thousand and one points throughout
the state where grain is bought, and there
fore it would seem as if the small shipper
must avail himself of the right to ship his
wheat direct to the receiving points and de-
mand state inspection and weights in case
he is dissatisfied with the inspection of the
local elevator agent. 1 am we'll aware that
many hardships arise from undergrading at
Citations hr1t WI, INV
this difficulty can be overcome save in the
manner indicated.
AUSTRALIAN SYSTEM OF VOTING.
The last legislature enacted law relating
to the M tanner of voting and the holding of
10000 people or more, and test of the
plan (known generally as the Australian
system) was made at the last general cleo
ton. The law in the main worked salts
factorily, some minor changes being ap-
parently necessary to perfect it. In my
as to make it applicable to the entire state,
and suggest for your consideration the
desirsbility of causing such additions to
the present laws as will accomplish that re-
suit. Public sentim ent is fully alive to
the necessity of thr owing such safeguard
about the ballot box as will insure purity
in elections. No means should be spared
ton at the polls.
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. =
Our whole educational system is so ex-
cellent, and rests upon so secure founda-
ton, that hardly deem it necessary to en-
large upon it particularly. The excel lent
character of the work being done in the
university, in the normal schools and in
the high schools, is so generally known and
appreciated as to require but little COM
ment, other than words of highest praise.
Some changes are needed in the direction
of the management Of the high schools Of
the state, as well as some additional appro-
priation to meet the natural growth incident
to rapidly increasing population.It would
be we'll to enlarge the present high school
board, consisting Of three members, to five,
the two additionalt to be selected one by the
board of regents, and one by the normal
school board. The employment of a
special secretary, who would devote his
time to the inspection and improvement of
the high and graded schools seems to me
desirable.
Quite number Of graded schools might
rank as high schools if the appropriation
was increased $1,000 per year, and thus q
very desirable result would follow mod
crate additional expenditure. The sum of
tain conditions, and at this time the appro-
priation only provides for sixty. At least
twenty-five additional schools should re-
ceive the aid Of $500, as by this assistance
they would grow into excellent institutions.
and raise the standard of education in the
counties where the are situated.
INSPECTION OF ILLUMINATING OILS.
At the last session of the legislature the
law concerning the inspection Of illuminat-
ing oils was amended, whereby the fee svs-
tenn was abolished and the position of in
spector of oils made salaried office, all
emoluments arising from inspection being
covered MONTH into the state treasnrv'
No appropriation having been made to pay
his salary. the inspector deducted the
amount due him under the provisions of
the law each month from the fees collected.
In March last, however. in suit brought
in the district court of Hennepin county by
against the deputy oil Inspector in that coun-
ty, it was decided that the term package"
as used in the statute might refer to re-
cepta Gle tor Oil OF any size, and that the
vendor OF oil was not compelled to submit
to inspection by the barrel unless he so
elected. The practical effect of the decision
was such as to render it impossible to pro-
cure an inspector to serve who would be
willing to accept the legal compensation for
inspecting package" containing one hum
hundred or more barrels at the rate of 40
cents, that being the maximum sum al.
lowed by the statute. As result, and if
other temporary measures had not been
taken, illuminating oils would have been
sold broadcast over the state with
out inspection, endangering. posi-
bly,, human lite and property.
After consultation with the attorney general
and the representatives of the large dealers
in illuminating oils an arrangement was
made whereby the companies dealing in
and distributing oil agreed to pay the SAL
aries of three inspectors until such time as
the law could be amended to meet the case
involved. This was undoubtedly the best
plan that could be devised to meet the
emergency. l respectfully urge upon you
the necessity of prompt legislation in con-
nection with this matter: Illuminating oil
is very generally in use throughout the
state, and provision should be at once made
to avoid any calamity that might occur
from neglect to ngidly inspect the same.
1t might be well to consider the desirability
OF returning to the fee.system. reducing the
amount per barrel to ten QW cents in &C
cordance with the law in neighboring
states: The public will be better served.
and the perquisites after deducting the
sum necessary to provide deputies to strictly
enforce the law would not aggregate an ex-
CeSSiVe amount in Wow IF The loho 80,