The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-04-28
AN ADDRESS.
Makes an Appeal to the Farmers
of the state.

To the Farmers and Shippers of Farm
Products of minnesota:
In this state there is a law which has
been on the statute books during the
past 20 years, requiring agents of rail-
road companies to issue to every per-
son shipping grain over every line OF
railroad, a receipt for the number OF
bushels delivered to them for shipment
The railroad companies have, during
all this time, persistently violated, and
still continue to violate the law by re-
fusing to weigh or issue such receipts
have frequently called on the railroad
commissioners requesting them to en-
force this law, but no purpose.
have also appeared before the railroad
committee of the present house of repre-
sentatives of this state, but without eff
feet.
1 have become satisfied from the con-
dition and general demeanor of It's
members throughout my interviews
with them that there was no redress to
be obtained at their hants or any ac-
ton to protect the rights of farmers.
They even declined to permit the rene
dies l suggested to be discussed in the
house.
Finding myself defeated at every point
by those whose duty it was to protect
the interests and rights of the most in
dustriOus class of our citizens, l next
turned my attention to enforcing the
present law. Last January I was ship
ping grain from my farm, every bushel
of which was weighed before it left the
farm, and the returns from seven cars
show a shortage of Is bushels. One car
on another occasion shows a shortage
OF SO bushels. Having received the re-
Bluffs referred to, l concluded to prose-
cute the railroad company for non-com-
pllance with the law, in refusing to
weigh or issue receipts for the number
of bushels SO delivered. l swore out a
warrant for the arrest of the agent of
the railroad company here at Lake City.
The case had hearing yesterday be-
fore Justice Paine in the City of Wa
basha. For the first time we routed the
enemy, horse, foot and dragons and I
got a judgment against the railroad
company.
l now appeal to the farmers of this
state living on every line Of road and
at every shipping point in the state, to
get together and have some one
amongst you present car of grain for
shipment to the agent at your shipping
point, and demand of him to weigh
your grain and issue a receipt to you
for the number of bushels so delivered.
In case he refuses. do as 1 have done.
Swear out a warrant for the agents ar
rest. 1t is the duty of the county to
prosecute the case in the name of the
state.
Brotf er farmers, remember you give
help to the roads by using them and are
as much entitled to consideration as
those who contribute to build them. I'M
less there is no equality for citizens be-
fore the law. By your actions you must
prove to the people that you enter your
protest against the courts, high or low.
who protect stock and bond holders in
their determination to secure profits nv
fictitious capitalization The stock and
bondholders are presumed to have in
vested with their eyes open and if it
was mistake it is no duty of the court
to protect them from the consequences
OF their own error The state means bv
legislation to stop fictitious capitaliza-
ton but if the courts will dare to NJ
hold the right to profits on fictitious
capitalization they nullify the policy Of
the state. If the courts will hold that
corporations must take Their chances
like individuals in business, they would
work for those things which would tend
to promote the general welfare Know
Ing your rights, if you fail to defend
them you deserve still more abuse than
you have received at the hand of cor
porations during the past 80 years. Re i.
member, If you don't defend your rights
nobody else will. If you pursue the
course 1 have here outlined the rail-
road companies, in my judgment, will
get tired of disobeying the law sooner
than the state will weary of compelling
them to obey the law.
The following is copy of the COM
plant to be used: "The complaint of
P. H. Rahilly, of said county, made be-
fore H. ]. Paine, one of the justices of
the peace in and for said county, after
first being duly sworn, on oath says
that the Chicago, Milwaukee and St.
Paul Railway company is and has been
for more than one year past an incor-
poration duly organized, created and
existing under the laws of the State of
Wisconsin, and operating line of rail-
road between the city of st. Paul, Mimi,
through the city of Lake City, Mimi,