The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-16
By All Means investigate.

The Pioneer Press advises the incom-
ing legislature 20 thoroughly investi-
gate the operati TORS Of the grain in
specion system Of the state, not, we
infer, for the purpose Of ascertaining
whether it is fulfilling it's alleged pur-
pose Of preventing, at the primary
market. the preparation OF frauds
upon the grain growers, but of vindi-
eating its steady contention that there
is nothing wrong In it and that ii has
been Of incalcalabie value to the wheat
growers Of Minnesota" We also urge
upon TINT body an investigation Of the
system. We wish il 70 be thorough.
and We shall insist that whitewash be
dispensed with this time.
We venture 70 suggest few lines Of
Investigation, not, as our contemporary
asserts. for partisan advantage. but,
a. The Clio b has always stood in
this matter. for the relief of Gov. Mel
sons ordinary farmer" he who has
no state umpire to stand between
him and the local buyer" but who, If
defrauded, lis RENTED to the vague
and dilatory remedy of the common
law" II the inspection has got into
politics, It is because It is a political
creation, and only through party ac-
ton can it be remedied. We are in
different what political party gives the
remedy. II only it be eficacious. We
repeat, however, that thirteen years of
effort by the Republican legislatures
have not justified. by their product. pres
ent confidence in their ability TO treat
this case. Still. If the next legislature
viii go into the investigation with a
single and honest purpose to go to the
bottom. we believe II can find an ef-
fective remedy.
The first line Of inquiry should be the
source Of the system, its cause what
evil called for its creation; out Of what
conditions did that cause come? Next,
what, having IN view the wrongs in
tended TO be corrected, hive been its
effects? Has II corrected the evils in
which 1t found its source? Is the pro-
Queer any less at the mercy Of the
buyer than he was fourteen years ago?
In what way does the inspection and
grading Of the producers grain at ter
minal points, long after he has DIS
posed OF Il In the primary nrnrket.
serve to prevent its undergrading. I'M
derweighing or overlooking there? II.
as we apprehend. the committee charg-
ed with this inquiry should find that
the primal purpose Of the law has
utterly failed. it might go on and in
quire whom II has benefited. If state
inspection enables a dealer at the ter
minis to contract his wheat In dis
tant markets upon the strength OF the
lTsgTHar~fgFfa asrfff4lfn
the dealers. does IL benefit? Does this
benefit react upon rhe local markets.
as claimed, and add TO the grain Of
iered there value II would not other
wise have2 Another pertinent line Of
inquiry would be the actual transac-
tons al the terminals; the effect really
given by buyers to inspection certih-
Gates; whether the bulk Of grain there
bought and sold passes on these in
spectlons or on samples. II the bulk
Is sold by sample. of what value Is the
inspectors certificate? And. II the GER
tficate has no binding effect upon buy
ers, II they can. in spite of It. dispute
me E.'ae 'f ia' ,Hat efficacy is
the certificate or the system out Of
which Il comes?
There IS ample scope for a searching
investigation aloEE reese and other
lines, and, IL honestly made. with a
sircere desire 10 give 20 the grain
grower a free and open market where
competition shall be real and his ernIn
bring him the last cent to which its
quality entities him. we have no doubt
OF the result. But. to repeat, let there
be no whuewashing.