The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-15

our harbOrs on sea and lake and keep
our rivers free from all distractions
that interfere with navigation? Our
rivers and lakes are worth billions of
dollars TO the American people. 1 rec
Ommend that our order favor and in
sist upon the construction by the IN
tied state of a ship canal from the
Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean and
also a deep waterway connecting the
Mississippi river route with the Great
Lakes. These great arteries of COM
merce would be worth to the American
people many times their cost, and
would afford the cheapest transporta-
ton known and would be a wholesome
check on railway charges. Such water
ways would save to the former over
5000, 600 900 a year.
The construction of the Nicaragua
canal by the United States would bring
San Francisco. COlun bia River Puget
Sound and all sea port towns on our
Pacific coast line 10000 miles nearer by
water to all our cities on the Atlantic
coast and Gulf of Mexico, and the deep
waterway connecting the Mississippi
river, Great Lakes and Atlantic ocean
would enable boats to deliver cargOeS
from our Pacific coast to river and lake
ports and all along the line cI the ship
canal.
I recommend that the National
Grange continue to press their demands
for appropriate legislation on the fol-
lowing important matters:
First-Free delivery of mail in the
rural districts; and that the service be
placed on the same permanent footing
as the delivery of mail in the cities and
that the appropriation therefor be com
menSurate with the benefits and de-
mands for the service.
SecOnd-ProViding for postal savings
bank.
Third-Submit an amendment to the
constitution providing for the election
of United States senator by direct vote
of the people.
Fourth-Enlarging the powers and
duties Of the interstate commerce COM
mission, giving them and charging
them with the duty of fixing maximum
rates of fare and freight on all inter
state railways.
Notwithstanding use of shoddy.
Sixth-Enact pure food law.
Seventh-Providing for the extension
of the market for farm products max
ing it the duty of the United States
consuls to aid in the extending of mar
kets for farm products as for manufac-
tured articles.
Eighth-The enactment of an anti
trust law clearly defining what acts on
the part of any corporation would be
against public policy.
Ninth.The speedy construction Of
the Nicaragua canal by the United
States.
Tenth-The speedy construction of a
ship canal connecting the Mississippi
river with the Great Lakes and the
Great Lakes with the Atlantic ocean.
Eleventh-Revising the fees and sal
aries of all federal officers and placing
them on a basis of similar service in
private business.
We also recommend to the several
State Oranges that they urge on their
respective state legislatures apprO-
pirate legislation ont the following i'm
portant matters:
First-Anti-trust law.
Second Equalizing taxation as will
cause all property to bear its just pro-
portion of the cost of government.
Third-The passage of pure food law
FOurth-PrOvide a state commission
with the duty and power to fix max
imum rates of freight and passenger
fares on all railways subject to their
Jurisdiction.
Fifth-The revision of all fees and
salaries placing them on an equitable
basis.