St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-04-20
GRAIN MARKETS IN MINNIE
sofa.

The grain investigation Is ended.
Months have been spent IN more or
less successful search for facts, and
majority and minority report OF the
facts found or not found and the con-
illusions based on them have been
made and submitted TO ''yOur excel
lency." The majority, consisting OF all
but one member, virtually finds that no
ground whatever existed for the charges
on which the investigation was based
while the minority insists that they are
all substantially proven. and all would
have been abundantly sustained mad
not the investigation been thwarted at
every possible point. The progress OF
the inquiry has been accompanied and
followed by comments of the RepuD-
lican papers. showing all anlmus which
evidently sprang from feeling that the
investigation was all attack on their par
IS. as it undoubtedly was on its legislative
capacity, and that party interests de-
manded that 1t be misrepresented and
maligned. Ii is unfortunate that TINS
course has been taken, as it VIII give
what should be non partisan matter
the effect Of being party movement.
and project the question into the state
issues of the coming campaign. 30 far
as this will serve 10 attract attention TO
what the GLOBE considers a grave
abuse, it may be beneficial.
There prevails in the country notion
that In any matter affecting the inter
g fIk. 10 al
porate interest i'll the state, the farmers
will not receive fair treatment at the
hands of the city press, because, they
imagine, it Is under bond TO the corpo-
rations. AS. to any other paper the
GLOBE, Of course, cannot speak, but Tor
itself, there is nothing in its course
to warrant such feeling. and 1t
has. as to this paper at least.
no foundation whatever. If the idea is
based OH what is the fact, that The
GLOBE has not INDUCED in any OF that
fierce and indiscriminate denunclatiOn
OF corporations which, Judging from the
influence demagogues who do so have
with large portion OF the farmers OF
the state. the latter seem to think prop
er, then it has some foundation. Wheth-
er our farmers realize it or not, they have
injured their cause by the very intensity
OF their feelings and the Incorporate,
exaggerated and vituperative language
in which they have given them eX-
preston. In this case the GLOBE has,
therefore, preferred to watch the deyel-
opments OF the investigation, examine
the facts proven and TO get their bear
ing on the conditions under which the
farmers market their grain, withholding
its comment until the Investigation had
ended.
The GLOBE has reached the conclu-
sion that the facts proven, the condi-
tons shown to exist, fully warrant the
investigation had 1t concludes that it
has revealed state of affairs affecting
the greatest business interest of the
state, and, through that, all other bust
ness interests, that calls for the serious
attention of not only farmers, but Of
every man in the state. Its Importance
demands of the next legislature careful
consideration, a study of causes and the
adoption of wise remedy aimed at a
removal of the causes from which the
evil conditions spring. A Tar deeper
question is involved than merely
whether terminal elevators have
shipped some sound wheat as screen
ings, that illicit gains made under guise
Of deckage and grades might be
covered. or whether there has been I'M
Degrading or unjust dockage at the
country elevators. 1t involves the ques-
ton whether the farmers OF the state
shall have a free, open and competitive
market in which To sell their grain, or
whether they shall continue to sellin a
market closed to competition and practi-
cally monopolized. 1t is a question Of
freedom or of condition rot easily dis
tinguished from slavery. On such a
question the GLOBE does not intend
that any doubt shall exist as 10 what its
position is, and it purposes to give it
that editorial attention which its gravity
demands