The Irish standard., 1900-03-03
"cohE TO rAw,"
Says the Railroad Commission to the
Railroads Of the State.
Reform Press Bureau,
St. Paul, Feb. 26, 1900.

Taking up further reforms by the
grain and warehouse commission, that
body, now for the first time in Reform
control, has made the first move in the
history of the commission to call the
railroads into court on general exami-
nation OF their rates. That important
points are involved is shown by the fact
that every southwestern road responded,
its officials accompanied by great ar
ray of legal counsel. While short
postponement was granted the roads for
preparation, the following may be re-
lied on as the position taken by the
commission:
First, that the general grain rates for
the southwestern part OF the state are
too high.
Second that the general merchandise
rates, where they differ at local stations
from the rates given to terminal points,
in favor of the latter, are unjustlfable;
that the rates between rural points, cx-
cept when terminals are in question,
should be on approximately the same
basis as the terminal rates. At present
more favorable rates are given from the
cities to small places, than from stations
to the cities, or between local stations.
The commission holding as above,
will exercise its authority under the
law to enforce such view, unless the
roads can show reason why it should
not do SO, the burden OF proof being on
the companies.
The Importance OF the move, there
fore cannot be overstatcd What must
be thought OF the past administration,
ever since the life Of the commission,
under Republican administration, that
no such move has been made before?
Changes OF classihcations are also the
source OF other serious burdens on ship
pers which will now be carefully gone
into, all important case having been
raised by complaint of Mayor Currcr
OF Mankato, where freight on candy
product was raised by changing from
third to second rate. The commission
invites any other complaints OF the
kind, during the present week, which
will have attention along with the
Mankato case. Such should be ad-
dressed to Hon. P. M. Ringdal, chair
man of the board, St. Paul.
And at this time Doctor Ames' nomi-
nation by the Republicans seems as
sured. Imagine the predicament OF the
G. o. P. (good old party, with accent
on the "good.")
1t has taken 1000 pages OF writ
ten matter to record all the bad things
said on trial OF Hcnnepin county Re-
publican office holder. The bad things
unrecorded would exhaust the paper
mills. The question is what are the
people going to do about it? Will the
reform forces iritter away their chances
this year, or SO act as to take all the
Offices in order that the people may
learn the extent to which they have
been robbed? Let the people so act as
that they may be able to see all the
books.
And OF the other Twin City politics,
the Democrats are day by day more
confident OF winning in St. Paul this
spring, with the probability OF Hum
phrcy Barton as the successful mayor.
Minnesota sentiment is unqucstiona
bly, in favor Of national planks this year
in favor OF election of senators by direct
vote OF the people. Three events that
have brought this sentiment into crys-
talization have been, first, the corrup-
ton and bossism by which Hanna Sc
cured his election in Ohio, the Quay
case in Pennsylvania, aud the Montana
nastiness. Each case smclled TO heaven,
with double back action stink in the
last case
National Chairman Jones asserts his
conviction that the Democratic plat
form will contain sucl, plank -- I
From his Eastern tour Mr.. Bryan
went southwark, going as far as Tampa,
Tld IL IDS DCcI lllC SIiilC Olu SlOiy |
everywhere Of enthusiasm, and con-
stantly repeated expressions OF love and
confidence on the part OF the masses
of the people.
Reports OF Mr. Bryan's Eastern trip |
that manage to filter through the news
monopoly, show that he has no longer
found there an "enelnys" country, but
that he was received by all classes and
conditions with the same enthusiasm
that follows him elsewhere.
And so, after all, we may not keep
the Island OF Sulu. But our flag is
there; who, then, will haul it down?
Who said that where the flag was once
raised it should never come down? The
goppitcs.
Sioux Falls captured the Peoples
Party national convention, which will
be called for May. The call for Mime
sofas convention will be shortly issued
by Chairman F. H. Clarke.
Monopolies created by law can and
should be abolished by law. Such was
the keynote of the recent Chicago con-
ference. "And it rings true" says Pub
lie.
"What the trusts have done is to OBJ
struct competition. 1t is sometimes ar