The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-11-21

1t is already evident that the legislature
of Minnesota will heartily support Govern
or Van SAINT in his campaign against the
great railroad merger Already The
] JOurn a has published interviews with
a number of leading members of both
houses Of the legislature and, almost
without exception, they have been earn
estly in favor of fighting the consolidation
with every resource. Herewith a num-
Der of interviews are given with members
who could be reached by wire through
] o ournal correspondents.
| 1t will be observed that practically
every man interviewed declares that, if
existing legislation does not furnish the
remedy for the consolidation evil, he
stands ready to vote at an extra session
for laws that will. Not only do the mem
his attitude. but many of them report a
healthy public sentiment among their
constituents in the same direction.
If the opinion of these men, so near the
people, counts for aught, the governor has
done the right thing at the right time and
has the support Of the people therein.
The interviews are as follows:
Representative j. f. jacobson.
| Special to The Journal.
| Madison, Mimi, Nov 21.-Representa-
| tive J. F. Jacobson says: 81 have full
confidence in Governor Van SAINT in. rela-
tion to the railroad consolidation scheme.
He will be given all the support he needs
in his efforts to prevent the combine.
| Governor Van SAINT. has more backbone
than many Of his supporters give him
| credit for and 1 believe the interests Of
| the state will not be allowed to suffer if
| he can prevent it. The present laws are
| very stringent regarding the consolida-
| tion OF, parallel and competing lines in
| this state. But that If new measures are
needed to thwart the present deal they
will be provided at the special session
which will undoubtedly be called"
Senator John A. Johnson
| Special to The Journal
! st. Peter, Mimi, Nov. Ex-senator John
A. Johnson (dem), says: Governor Van
SAINT has declared that he will fight the
consolidation of the Northern Pacific and
i w
of this state prohibit such a consolidation.
! The federal supreme court upholds this
! law. The executive Of the state, therefore,
| has the power to thwart the will of James
]. Hill and his fellow organizers. The
! support of every citizen, no matter what
| his politics, will be given to the execu-
| tive in any attempt it may make to pre-
vent the union of competing lines The
| supreme court held that the legislature
| could ot hot
| possibility of such a consolidation. If
! legislative action is necessary such an act
should be passed. If called upon 1 would
! cheerfully vote for any bill that would
| Illustrate the designs of the billion-dollar
/ syndicate. 1t Is the duty of the state to
| prevent the consolidation at whatever
| cost, that the rights of the public may be
preserved"
Brewer, Hunt and Daggett.
Special to The Journal
| St. Cloud, Mimi, Nov. Ex-senator R. B.
Brewer says: 81 hope that Governor Van
| SAINT will employ every means at his COM
mand to prevent this attempted merger
! of two parallel and competing lines Of
| railway. If legislation or financial aid
| for the carrying on Of the battle royal is
| necessary an extra session Of the legisla-
| ture can properly be called. The people
are with the governor and the governor
| is with the people,"
| N. K. Hunt, member of the house from
| Sherburne county, says: Il am quite firm
| in the belief that existing laws are suffi-
cient if rigidly enforced, to prevent any
| merger antagonistic to the general pros
| perity of the northwest"
! Oscar Daggett (dem.), member from
Benton county, says: "Have as yet given
the matter little thought, but am with the
| people to prevent any consolidation con-
| trary to their best interests in this state"
| Senator c. ID. Buchanan.
| Special to The Journal
| Little Falls Mimi, Nov. 12.-Senator c.
| B. Buckman indorses the steps taken by
| Governor Van SAINT to prevent the prac-
tical consolidation of the parallel and
competing railroads. He says: "The
! present laws of the state were intended
| to prevent any such result and l hope
| that the state authorities will find them
effectual. If there are any defects, and
they can be remedied by further state
| legislation; l favor an extra session Of the
| legislature and the passage of such laws
as the conditions warrant"
Senator A. w. stockton.
| Special to The Journal.
| Faribault, Mimi, Nov. Ex-senator A. w
! Stockton says: IF the present laws will
not prevent consolidation laws should be
enacted that will. There are several New
Jersey companies doing business in the
state now and for the legislature to pass
laws excluding one corporation and al
lowing others to do business here would
be class legislation and it is doubtful
whether they would hold, in the courts