St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-24
AFTERACOMBINE
The Greatest Mass Meeting
Seen in st. Paul in Many
Years.
EIarket Hall Packed With PeO-
pie Hot After the Coal
Trust.
Walsh and DonnelIy Roast the
Combine to a Chorus Of
Cheers.
Radical Resolutions Which
Tell the Temper Of ST.
Paul People.
A Public Committee OF Fifty
to Assist in the ProSecu-
ton.
Explanations Offered by a
Coal Company but Given
No Hearing.

Never since Market hall was erected
has its capacity been so taxed as last
evening. when the citizens assembled
there to be enlightened in regard to the
coal combine which has caused such a
convulsion in the present legislature,
and to learn the progress made thus far
in the investigations now being prose
cuted by that body. The meeting was
called for O'clock, but half an hour
before that time every seat in the hall
ana gallery was filled. and by the time
J. w. Hawthorne called for order every
available foot of standing room was Oc-
cupied. Hundreds were turned away,
unable to even force their way inside
the door.
Tine sentiment of the meeting was
unanimously and aggreSsively 'agin
the combine . with a strong undercur-
rent of DOnnellyiSm, which. to use the
expression of the Sage himself. seemed
10 indicate that he was ''the most pop
ular man in Minnesota between cleo
tions."
ELOQUENT speeches were made hv Sen
atOr Donnelly, Representatives Walsh.
Rodger and Ives. and j. Ham Davidson:
President Murray. of the trades and
labor union, and others, but the direct
result of the meeting is contained in
the following resolutions, which were
adOpted with unanimous roar which
made the building tremble:
Whereas. The legislature has under
taken an Investigation into the abnOrm-
ally and unusually high price of coal.
and has prosecuted the investigation
vigorously ND to the present time: and.
Whereas. 1t appears from the evi-
dPnce before the committee and other
wise that 4 mOnStrOuS and infamous
combination exists for the purpose of
raising. and that it has raised. the price
of coal 10 the consumer to the extent of
about - per ton over and above anv
legitimate profit. and that such profit
does not accrue to the benefit of the re-
tail dealers in coal; and.
Whereas. 1t is mete that the citizens
of the state of Minnesota in mass meet
ing assembled. should strengthen the
legislature in its efforts to DESTROY this
colossal and unprincipled conspiracy;
and.
Whereas, A sound public sentiment is
valuable and necessary in the enforce
ment of all law. and it is the duty of all
Iaw-abIding and honest citizens to take
no uncertain stand in this crisis
Now. therefore. we, the citizens of
the state of Minnesota. in mass meeting
assembled,
Resolve as follows: That we heartily
commend the legislature of the state of
Minnesota in the action it is taking in
this matter. and pledge our loyal Snp-
port to every practical and honest effort
tending to the relief of the people from
the evils following the iniQuitOuS COM
binatlnn and trust of the "railroad
kings and "oOal barOns" of PennSyl-
vania and elsewhere. which has spread
its evil Influence all over this country.
bringing misery and poverty to homes
OF the widow and orphan, and discon-
tent and hardship where naughu but
neaoP. prosperity and happiness should
be found.
Resolved further, That the legislature
be. and it is hereby requested to pass
resolution calling upon the governors
of all the states and territories to each
appoint a commission of ten persons
who shall. on the first Monday in June.
1898. meet in a convention to be held at
the capitol of this state to take such ac-
tiOn as may be necessary to mould fut-
uIf tGiNldllIi anu W Gall IiIlC CIl-
phaticallv the attention of the state
legislatures ana CONGRESS to the matter.
in view of the inability of any one state to
alone contend successfully against this
gigantic interstate conspiracy. and to
devise some legitimate means of effect
uallv and forever relieving the people Of
the United States from the burdenSome
results of the unlawful combination.
And that the legislature is further re-
uuested to make an appropriation suffl-
cient to cover the expenses of such COM
mission and convention.
Resolved further. That thelegislature
be. and 1t is hereby requested to pass
the most stringent laws possible against
any direct or indirect attempt to form
or perpetnate any such infamous COM
binatiOn in this state; and making all
who participate in such a combination
guilty of states prison Offense.
Resolved. further, That the chairman
of this meeting be, and he is hereby re
quested to appoint within the next thir-
ty days a standing committee of fifty
citizens of all political parties. who shall
represent the sentiments of this meet
ing. and who shall help the authorities
in the prosecution of the members of
the said coal combine and bring them to
condign punishment. by Imprisonment
or otherwise.
Resolved. further. That the'said COM
mittee shall meet from time to time dur
ing the coming summer and take all
necessary steps to prevent the re-eStab-
llshment of the coal combine, in anv
new form or disguise, for the purpose of
controlling the price of coal next Win
ter.