The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1894-11-01
RECORD or REFORMS
What Has Been Done For the Ad.
vancelnent Of the Farming and
Kindred interests of
Minnesota.
RESULTS OF REPUBLICAN EFFORT.
Plain and Simple Facts That Voters
Should Remember When Cast
ing Their Ballots Next
Tuesday.

ing Their Ballots Next
Tuesday.
The points in which legislation touches
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
20 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 were 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 q
fair, equitable and uniform system Of
inspection at the terminal points, and
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 1898, 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 1.-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. This is a
practical method of arbitration for re-
dressing any injustice in grading at
local CENTER, 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
q decision of the United States supreme
court sustaining similar law referred
to it from the state of North Dakota.
A Free Market.
Thelaw Of 1887 provided for furnishing
oars to transport grain and other COM
modities to all persons who may apply,
without discriminat ion. 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 1898
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 warehouses 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 that
the Republican administrations Of the
state have made study Of the grain
growers interest, and have furthered il
Is rapidly as experience pointed ont
what was necessary to be done. This
system, as now existing, may be classi.
fed as follows:
First, the terminal inspection law 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 their
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 theil
own grain and to preserve the identity OF
the same, there is guaranteed the right
and privilege to demand cars for such
shipment, and to secure whatever advan-
tages the terminal markets and inspec
ton laws may afford.
It is probable that this sys tenn is moi
vet complete, and that further expe.
rience under it will exhibit the need o.
still other changes and additions; but il
cannot be denied that the producers OF
the state have been objects Of special
solicitude in the past on the part OF
both the legislative and the executive
power.
Regulation and Reduction Of Railroad
Charges.
Side by side with the development O
the state system of grain laws hal
progressed, as rapidly as the process Of
legislation and the decisions of thu
courts would permit, the growth O
another system of control and regula
ton Of railroad freight rates. WheI
the railroad commission was established
In 1885, railroad rates in general wer'
about what it pleased the companies Il
make them. One Of the first achieve
ments of the commission was reduc
ton in wood rates in 1885. which were
then cut from 80 to 80 per cent, ant
have since been placed on the basis o
actual cost Of hauling. The year follow
ing, its attention was turned to tn
matter Of passenger rates, which wer'
then 81 to cents per mile. Thes'
were reduced by order of the commits
sion to maximum Of 8 cents per mile
which has been the rate In effec
ever since. The rate Is still
lower than this on Communication
and mileage tickets, which are SOLD
at 2 and ~ cents per mile. Passenge'
rates are as low in Minnesots as In an,
state in the country. A confersuo'
was also ordered in the same year, q
which substantially all the railroads