New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1894-10-31
RECORD | 0 OF REFORMS.
What Has Been Done For the Adj
vancement Of the Farming and
.. Kindred Interests Of ,~-~..4
Minnesota. ~ss
RESULTS OF REPUBLICAN EFFORT.
Plain and Simple Facts That Voters
Should Remember When Cast
D. ing Their Ballots Next
ft, Tuesday.
'EsUIrS OF REPUBLICAN EFFORT.

most nearly the farming interests of
Minnesota are the regulations relating
to the marketing and carriage of grain.
Whatever concessions have been made
by corporate interests in these particu-
lars, and whatever safeguards have been
thrown about the farmers interest, are
to be credited to the Republican legis-
latures by which laws were passed, and
to the Republican governors who, in
many Instances, originated them, and
in all cases approved them. There was
time when the grain grower of Min
nesota was wholly at the mercy of two
combinations, acting usually in har-
mony with each other. The rail-
roads we're entirely uncontrolled
in the levying of freight rates,
and the elevators were equally absolute
IN their system Of grading and charges.
The transfer from the regime Of these
two monopolies to the system of justice,
fair play and free market, which pre-
walls today, has been accomplished
under Republican auspices.
Grain inspection Established.
The inspection and weighing of grain
at terminal points has been under con-
troll Of state authority for more than
nine years. The effect of legislation
during that time, and of the control of
the railroad and warehouse commission,
has been to establish and maintain a
fair, equitable and uniform system Of
inspection at the terminal points, and a
careful and accurate method of weigh.
ing. This system, applicable only to
the central markets, seeming to be in
sufficient. there was enacted by the last
legislature, in 1893, a law to extend the
supervision and authority of the COM
mission to the local markets of the
state, where, as rule, the farmer most
needs protection.
The Country Elevator Law,
Under this, known as s'The Country
Elevator Law" all warehouse men on
the railroad right of way must be duly
licensed, operate under the commission
and make sworn reports. Disputes at
country elevators are referred to the
chief inspector of the state, who deter
mines the controversy by inspecting the
sample Of grain submitted. Ills is a
Prac'-saA 1ne'' ri OF arbitration for re-
dressing any injustice in grading at
local centers, which has been very sue
cessful in operation and is more and
more satisfactory the better it becomes
known.
That this law is formed upon sound
constitutional principles appears from
a decision Of the United States supreme
court sustaining similar law referred
to it from the state of North Dakota.
A Free Mar ket.
Thelaw & 1887 provided for furnishing
cars to transport grain and other com.
modities to all persons who may apply,
| without discrimination. The amend
ment in 1893 requires the companies to
furnish reasonable facilities at all
! points Of intersection for the inter.
! change of cars and traffic between Their
respective lines. Another law of 1895
provides for the erection of grain eleva'
tors and warehouses on railroad rights
of way by any person, association OF
! corporation, and authorizes condemna-
ton proceedings for that purpose. Still
another law compels the construction
of sidetracks and switches to elevators
and wareh Ouses located near the right
of way. From this brief survey, linn
tied mostly to recent enactment, made
during Governor Nelson's term OF
Office and embracing altogether an ad
mirable, complete and equitable system
of warehouse laws, it will be seen thai
the Republican administrations of the
state have made study Of the grai1
growers interest, and have furthered il
as rapidly as experience pointed out
what was necessary to be done. This
system, as now existing, may be classi
fed as follows:
First, the terminal inspection lev in
sures fair and careful inspection and
weighing of all grain which may be
shipped to the terminal points.
Second, the country warehouse law pro
vides ample means of relief and protection
for those who desire to dispose of thei1
products at the local elevator against
fraudulent practices in grading and weigh
ing.
Third, the right of way elevator law Sc
cures to any farmer or association of farm
ers the privilege of constructing their owl
warehouse, under reasonable restriction
and conditions.
Fourth, to those who desire to ship thei
own grain and to preserve the identity o
the same, there is guaranteed the RICH
and privilege to demand cars for sucl
shipment, and to secure whatever advan
tages the terminal markets and inspe<
ton laws may afford.
It is probable that this sys tenn is no
yet complete, and that further expe
! rience under it will exhibit the need Q
still other changes and additions; but j
cannot be denied that the producers o
the state have been objects Of specia
solicitude in the past on the part o
both the legislative and the executiI
power.
Regulation and Reduction of Railroa
i Charges.
| Side by side with the development q
the state system Of grain laws ha
| progressed, as rapidly as the process Q
legislation and the decisions of th
i courts would permit, the growth 9