The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-01-14

state, none equal in Importance that OF
and of the objects to which the
3tillers Of the soil in Minnesota have hereto
fore directed their attentions, the raising
Of grain has been and is pre-eminently the
most important.
From the first no subject has enlisted
wider interest and engaged more earnestly
the attention Of the legislature than the
question Of how to protect the interests
and promote the welfare Of the farmer,
and especially how to so regulate the hand
ling, marketing and transportation Of the
cereals and to conserve the interests and
rights of their producers.
q For many years previous to the enac tment
of the warehouse and grain law the pro-
ducers OF the state had alleged that they
had been the victims Of great injustice
by reason Of system of handling the
grain crops which was Instituted and con-
trolled by the boards Of trade composed i
largely Of the buyers Of grain. The measure
referred to was the result Of this feeling
Of dissatisfaction, and since it's enactment
in 1885. the inspection, weighing and regis
tration system at the terminal points, Min
neapolis, Duluth, st. Paul and st. Cloud,
has been under state control and has proved
Of incalculable benefit to the producers and
shippers Of the state in securing an in
telligent and impartial inspection of grain,
on fair, uniform standards and a correct,
reliable system Of state weights.
At the session of 1898 additional legisla-
ton was secured for the purpose Of streng-
ythening and supplementing the terminal
inspection law. The most Important was
the Country Warehouse Law" its object
being to extend the Jurisdiction Of the rail-
road and warehouse commission to the local
markets Of the state, for the purpose Of
correcting the general evils that might
exist, and furnish the farmers with an i'm
partial tribunal before which to bring COM
plants Of injustice and oppression, with
a view to their proper consideration and adj
justment. Three years experience under
its operation has fully demonstrated it's
usefulness and justified its enactment. In
1888 the law was amended in several par
ticulars where experience had dictated its
necessity, all provisions of practical and
salutary nature being retained, while those
Of an opposite character were eliminated
Inc law may now be regarded as complete
and practical in all its features, fully meet
ing the intention Of it's friends aud pro-
motors, and also the hearty approval Of the
general public.
In addition to these measures in the inter
est OF the grain producers of the state are
chapters 81 and Is Of the laws Of 1893, the
former providing for the erection of eleva-
TORS ana warehouses on the right Of way of
railways, and providing for condemnation
proceedings in connection Herewith, and
the latter for the construction Of switches
ana sldetracks upon the right Of way Of
railroad companies, to elevators and mills
located on lands adjacent to such right of
way. TO-
1t is conceded by those who have careful
/ ~ observed the development operation and
result Of these various measures, that equal
| ~ meritorious laws, looking to the protec-
| ton of the producers and grain interests in
their various aspects, have at no time been
enacted. Ihey were prepared with great
care and forethought and inspired by the
| desire to cover as far as consistent and
practical the problem of handling grain at
| the interior and terminal markets and to
afford, without stint, the facilities and pro-
lection which has so long been demanded
| by the people of the state.
Fnm this brief review Of the grain laws.
the vast Importance Of the work Of the
railroad and warehouse commission and the
departments under its control may be APP
pl eciNted. The increase in The business at
the terminal points may be best understood
| by quoting from the last report of the state
4 grain Inspector, which sets forth that the
annual receipts of grain at the four ter
minal points have increased from 81, 6:l3
car loads in 1885 to 25O,SO5 car loads in 1906
| The annual earnings Of the department.
have increased from $63,471 to S241, Oh,
while the number Of persons required to
discharge the duties has grown from fifty
4 four in 1855 to 145 in 1896. By careful
methods and wise management, although
/ the scope Of It's duties has been widely ex-
tended, the cost to the owner Of grain
weighing has decreased from one and one
third to two-thirds of mill per bushel.
This branch Of state administration is in
no sensesa tax upon the general public, but
strictly self-supporting, being maintained
from fees collected exclusively from the
owners of the grain.
business Methods Applied to State
| Administrations.
! OF subjects relating to state administra-
| tion, with the exception Of taxation, none
is nf npnn fap Ito S,>4~ ~
ment for securing thorough application of
business methods to the conduct of all state
and municipal affairs. This movement is
usually referred to under the designation of
civil service reform. 1t has many phases.
Minnesota, years ago, by the wise action of
its chief executive and It's legislature, in
creating and appointing non-partisan boards
for the regulation and control of our penal,
charitable and educational institutions, ap-
piled strict business principles to greater
relative portion of its civil service than was
at the time attained in any other state in
the Union, or than is yet attained in more
than two or three states. The success Of
the application of business methods in such
a large relative portion of the employees I'M
der state control early led to a general de-
sire for Its application in still other depart
ments of state. The board of railroad and
warehouse commissioners four years after
the establishment Of our systemsof grain in
spection became convinced that proper full
4 nllment and the efficient discharge of the
1 exacting duties imposed upon them in that
4 system necessitated in the same classih-
. cation and training Of its employees. Acting
upon that conviction, such classification
was put into operation in 1880 by the board,
and with such gratifying results that Min
nesota grain inspection stands pre-emnent
throughout the world for the honesty and
uniformity of Its grades and the business
i methods Of its administration, This scheme
n of classified service was Endorsed and rati-
fed by my predecessor as was that bust
i ness management Of all our state fnstitu-
tions previously begun, and has at all times
Il received my hearty approval.
j Education.
The educational interests Of the state
have materially advanced during the past
two years, notwithstanding the prevailing
stagnation Of business. In every county
there is shown an increase In school en-.
rollment, average attendance and expendi
ture for school purposes. The total value
of buildings and sites for public schools
including normal schools and the state uni
versity, has Increased from $14, O49 7O4 in
1904 to. SIG, 232 $3.50 In 1896. The pupils en-
rolled have increased from 341, 478 to $780,.
lS0, and the gain In average Attendance
was from 121. 496 to 57O2. The school
enrolment has Increased faster than popu
J. lation, and the average attendance and
Il value Of school property Il nearly If mi