davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20

be said. In that case it would be a de-
liberate and rational public expenditure
for a welldefined, justifable and worthy
public object, and taking the service as
whole there would be no loss at all. Our
free institutions rest on popular intelli-
gence, and it has from the beginning
been our fixed and enlightened public pol
icy to foster and promote the general diff
fusion of public information. Congress
has wisely framed the postal laws with
this just and liberal conception. 1t has
uniformly sought to encourage intercom-
gence
AS facilities have cheapened it has
gradually lowered all postage rates. 1t
has never aimed to make the postal SER
vice source OF profit, but simply to make
1t pay its own way and to give the people
the benefit of all possible advancement
In harmony with this sound and judicious
policy it has deliberately established a
low rate Of postage for genuine newspa
pers and periodicals, with the express
design of encouraging and aiding the dis
tribution of the recognized means and
agencies Of public information. It is not
a matter of favor, but Of approved judg
ment. It is not for the publishers, but
for the people. But in adopting this spe-
cial rate for a legitimate public end
congress has sought to restrict its privi-
lege to legitimate publications with a
manifest public aim and a clear public
demand. It never meant to open the flood
gates for an inordinate stream Of purely
private enterprises which have no public
object whatever within the contempla-
ton of the law, and which have seized
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
7F1CE DEPARTMENT AND SECOND-CLASS NAIL MATTER.

ports that the secOnd-class mail matter
constitutes 60 per cent of the entire mail
of the country, and pays at the rate of
four and quarter millions of dollars.
while the other 40 per cent pays over
$107 900, or, in other words, the sec
ond-class matter pays only one-twenty
eighth part OF the revenue. The average
cost of handling tSecond-class matter is
claimed to be equal to 20 per cent. of all
the business of postoffices, this without
reference to the cost of transportation.
The claim seems to be conservative that
three-t1fths OF the mail in weight may
justly be chargeable with one-fourth Of
the cost. which is $29.000.000 in round
numbers, leaving an annual net loss to
the government in transportation alone OF
over $24000,O 00 The actual cost for car
rying all the mail has been brought down
to an average of 6 cents per pound, while
the amount received by the postoffice de-
partmenC from second-claSs matter Is at
the rate Of l cent per pound. 1t is fur
Their estimated that of this total amount
OF second class matter that the govern
ment is Transporting over 200,000,00O
pounds of mail matter that is illegally
registered as second-class under the ex-
listing laws. To remedy this evil is what
the present department. is endeavoring
to do.
Charles Emory Smith, the postmaster
general under whom these attempts at re-
form were started, explains the position
of the government in the following para
graphs from his annual report for 1901:
eff the mail thus carried at a heavy
loss were limited to what the law in
tended. there would be nothing more to
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20

upon the low rate of postage solely for
private profit at the public expense.
The intent of the law is clear from it's
terms. 1t seeks to define boundaries and
to prescribe conditions which shall limit
the privilege to the kind of publications
really designed to be included. First of
all, it provides that to be entitled to the
second-class rate the publication must
be originated and published for the dis
semination of information Of public
character, or some special industry. This
test has never really been enforced, and
it's rigorous enforcement is not now UNI
dertaken, for it raises questions which
may be matters of opinion rather than Of
fact Its strict application would with
out any other test, manifestly rule out
thousands of existing publications. But
there are other tests which present mat
ters Of fact. The possession Of the char
acter thus defined is not enough The
law further requires that the publication
must have "a legitimate list Of subscrib-
ers." There must be not only a public
object, but public call and approval at
tested by general subscriptions. But even
this is not all. A publication having all
these characteristics might also have 9TH
ers which would plainly conflict with the
intended prerequisite of having distinct
public purpose ratified by public de-
mand. So the law adds the proviso that
nothing in it's terms "shall be so con-
strued as to admit to the second class
rate regular publications designed pri-
marily for advertising purposes, or for
free circulation, or for circulation at
| nominal rates."
"These provisions taken together plain
ly show the design OF the law. Had they
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20

larger part of the capital, and while It
pays about three fourths of the expense,
all the receipts go to the private partner.
Two publications Of this class, one in
St. Paul. the, other in Minneapolis, have
been ruled out during the current month.
In other cities similar publications are
being denied the mails, but in no in
stance las the department ruling been
enforced without due warning, go that NO
injustice has been done by denying the
privilege where the paper was printed and
not mailed The weight OF second-class
mail matter was increased last year over
2,000,0 600 pounds, largely from these mail
order publications. The department is
aiming at three reforms: The killing OFF
of the purely advertising sheets; the
changing of serial books directly to the
book class. and the return Of unseld
the pound rate Of one cent-that is frcm
newsdealers to publishers.
In the language Of the postmaster gen.
eral: "In this reform the legitimate news
papers and magazines have an interest
as Immediate and vital as that Of the
government and the people themselves.
No criticism falls on them and no laying
of the ak at rooted evils menaces their
| position. They ask no favors. They
stand on their rights with their fixed
place, their public object. and their reg
ular body of readers, they are the direct
| objects Of that deliberate and enlightened
public policy which in the interest Of the
people fosters the recognized sources OF
public intelligence. They observe and
fulfill the requirements of the law. And
| because they do they have the more con-
Germ in eliminating those which do not
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20

opening up woodland farms in Hubbard,
Beltrami and other northern Minnesota
counties with the same pluck and per-
sistence that we did years ago further
south. Who made Minnesota? Our
weather-stained faces, rheumatic joints
and fund of experience tell the story
Close to the pioneers come the farmers.
These men are willing to file an affidavit
properly sworn to before any notary that
to them is due whatever credit Minnesota
has gained. 1t is their industry; their
focks, their fields, their sturdiness and
home abiding qualities which have built
up her fair fame. The farmers made
Minnesota.
But wait! What about the busy lot
Of men, who at the desk, behind the
counter, in the packing-room, in season
and out Of season, who have steadily
plodded their way onward to success and
at every step in their progress manifested
a generous public spirit that has expressed
itself in a thousand different ways in the
community where they live? The mer-
chants, bankers and professional men
these have made Minnesota.
And the rest!-the miners who have
delved deep into the bowels of the earth
and brought forth richest treasures of
metal which have added immense wealth
to the state-the laboring men who in
countless thousands furnish the energy
and skill which builds railroads, main
tains manufacturing industries and builds
up towns and cities,-the hearty, rugged,
Industrious lumber jacks whose axes,
by the thousands, are merrily resounding
in the northern pines-the manufacturers,
who have created and carried on big saw
and Touring mills, car shops, furniture
factories, agricultural implement plants
and the like. thus making possible the
wealth and happiness now prevailing, by
furnishing an army Of consumers close to
the producers-these, each, insist with
the strongest Of emphasis, 1--WE made
Minnesota
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
"REMINISCENCES OF AN INTERVIEW

The late Franklyn w. Lee. for many
years an active scribbler for the columns
Of the twin city dailies, had many repor
torial accomplishments peculiar to him
SELF Mr.. Lee had charming and piquant
personality, and was particularly success
full at interviewing noted people. In fact,
interviewing was favorite part of his
busy life and he cultivated it to such an
extent that he became known throughout
the northwest for his abilities in that
respect.
He was possessed of wonderful mem
DRY and was never compelled to produce
a notebook and pencil when in the pres
ence of some austere individual with a
particular hatred for reporters. To me
he has often related experiences Of this
kind, how that many times he has been
enabled to enjoy a chatty conversation
with people whom he was assigned to in
terview and CLEAN their innermost
thoughts, simply because he didn't freeze
them with the thought Of being quoted.
He could retain conversations almost YER
batim for many days in his memory and
when they finally appeared in print were
always exactly as given to him, with no
Celebrations or contortions of his own
manufacture. He was quaint charming
little man. scarce five feet in height, with
the most attractive manners imaginable.
He had broad. intellectual, countenance,
deep blue eyes, and a roguiSh twist to his
full lips. He always went about with
pockets bullying with papers and magazines
with which he busted himself at every
odd moment On every torn envelope or
scrap of paper about him were scrubbed
bits Of verse, plots to stories or the scene
to some drama which was to be the fruit
of his brain and which he jotted down
as the Inspiration came. He was never
the least bit awed by the grandest per-
sonage he encountered, and being pos
sessed Of col'rtly manners he was equally
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20

been strictly administered from the be-
ginning admissions to the second class
rate would have been restricted to
legitimate publications complying with
the prescribed conditions, and there would
be no such question as is now presented.
But the administration has been in many
hands. The applications for admissions
have gradually broadened. Every new
case has made it's special representation,
and taken singly has pleaded no harm
and no burden.
Little by little the limitations have
been relaxed, and every transgression
has been made the preteXt for another.
Many of the publications once entered
have changed their character since ad-
mission, and, If entitled at first to the
pound rate. have by this departure for
feited their original right. In these vari-
Gus ways thousands of publications have
come to enjoy the privileges which are
not within either the spirit or the letter
Of the law. and the volume of second
class mail has been immensely swollen
by vast and questionable mass Of print
ed matter which was not intended or fore
seen when congress, in the educational
interest OF the people, provided that the
government should practically pay the
cost of transmission"
Referring to the so-called mail order
papers, who have no legitimate subscrib-
ers (whose promoters secure the names
! from business houses of people who are
IN the habit of ordering goods by mail
and sending the papers to them for moth
ing, sometimes one party getting a half
| dozen OF each number), the postmaster
| general says:
! 1.-THE extent of the completely of the
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
Hall of Fame. 5 : Z: s %: Fl:
n proposing names of deceased resi-

In proposing names of deceased resi-
dents of Minnesota who have become en-
1nent, for place in the Hall of Fame
at the Louisiana Purchase exposition to be
opened in st. Louis next year, those Of
General Sibley, Senator Cushman X.
Davis, William Window, Bishop Whipple
and Ex-Governor Pillsbury have been
given chief prominence by writer's on the
subject, but l have seldom seen the name Of
Senator Henry M. Rice. In the formative
period of Minnesota Senator Rice and Gov
ernor General Henry Hastings Sibley were
the two most noteworthy residents of the
territory and of the state of Minnesota
General Sibley was delegate in congress
when Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin were
one territory; and he also represented
Minnesota in congress as it's first delegate
after it's territorial separation He was
succeeded by Henry M. Rice, who
was the first full term United States
senator Of the state of Minnesota. To
Senator Rice more than to any other Min
nesotian (through his friendship and in
f1uence with Senator Stephen A. Doug
lasD is Minnesota indebted for it's mu-
nificent land grants that gave the state
its early railroads and its consequent
rapid development. No history of Min
nesota can be complete that does not give
TO Henry M. Rice very prominent place.
And it is at least questionable whether
he should not have a foremost place; for,
While he was not an orator, he was a
sagacious statesman and an indefatigable
worker, and his work was done for the
territory and stae when each most needed
earnest and influential workers. Much Of
the same tenor can be said of General
Sibley, whose untarnished honor and de-
votion to duty enabled him to exercise
commanding influence for Minnesota as a
territory and as state; but while he
was delegate to congress, governor and
general, all at critical periods of Min
nesota's history, he was never the ag-
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
One of the Most Important Factors of
the Commercial World.
By Fl. AWLEY, Worfhington Advance

necessities that he requires; but other
persons are engaged to do this, hence the
beginning. Then the crude articles for
various purposes, being improved and per-
fected by others, give employment to the
idle and the farmer is then enabled to
extend his domain, and those with
tendency to adopt farming as an occupa-
ton, seeing profit in the work and de-
nlanding the use of manufactured articles.
furnish labor TO the increasing pOpula-
ton. Thus the transportation companies,
Of necessity, require the product of labor
to convey to the farmer the materials and
implements he uses, and in return, trans
port back TO the factory the farmers prod
ucts. Essential and necessary to the sue
cessful carrying on Of this business, is
required, great buildings and to facilitate
the handling OF commodities they are
grouped, thus villages and great cities
become centers. And these only spring
up where the farmer exists or in some
place where a certain commodity can be
produced more advantageously than at
other places, but these are only because
Of necessity brought about by the estab-
Ishment of centers in rural districts.
Bounding these centers or located towns,
the farmer is first on the ground, if not,
it is certain he will be there within a
very short time. These centers enlarge
according to the character and adaptable
lIy OF the lana Tor farming and II the
land is fertile it will be rapidly placed in
a producing condition and the same time
the villages increasing and also the de-
mand for manufactured articles, and the
effect OF farm progress felt in all COM
mercial circles. Every variety of bust
ness feels the throb Of the farmers sue
cess as is demonstrated by the fact that
every manufacturing establishment of this
country watches the farm prospects year
after year and adjust their plans CORE
spondingly, knowing well the demand de-
ponds on the harvest of farm products
Every business caters to the farmer en-
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
A PUBLIC NUISANCE
BY j. r.. LANDY, BUFFALO LAKE NEWS

Among other things I would institute
movement having for its object the ref
ormation Of the college student. There
is, perhaps, no greater public nuisance
in this broad land of ours than the COL
lege student who vaults his egotistical
soul into the arena of affairs with the in
tentlon OF. speedily setting the things of
this world to rights. He is readily dis
tinsuished from other young men by his
importance his silly egotism and his
total lack of practical wisdom He may
be seen wearing at all times a three
story collar, his hair long and parted III
the middle, and with a demeanor that at
once marks him as an obtrusive and con
summate ass. He seldom fits himself for
any of the useful vocations, but presumes
to deal philosophically with all the prob
lens of life He is, of course, destined to
adorn an officials chair in some exalted
position, and, acting on this presumption,
he feels entitled to more room in the
world than should be given to an ordinary
mortal
of this creature that the public is con-
cerned as it is with his life during the
budding days Of his career after he has
started out to revolutionze things in
general. In whichever OF the learned
professions he decides to devote his
time and attention. he is sure to succeed
in making Of himself an insufferable bore.
But if he should decide to engage in the
work of country Journalist, as he not
infrequently does, it is then that much
abused world soon gets it's revenge. OF
course, he has an opportunity to air his
profound CO philosophic ideas and to draw
on his inexhaustible vocabulary for Ian
guage calculated to make a lasting i'm
preston on the public mind, but the world
is but short time in taking the starch
out of him and his first lesson of practi-
| cal knowledge is obtained when he re-
Allies that all his Platonic philosophy and
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
The Farmer.

How few people realize or appreciate
the humble farmer is one of the greatest
factors In the movement of all the indus-
tries and enterprises of the world; and
the success and magnitude of commerce
depend upon the thrift and prosperity Of
the farmer. OF course, the dependence OF
the industries aid the farmer are mutual,
but the farmer is always independent and
could subSlSt without the assistance Of
manufactured commodities, while On the
other hand, manufacturers must have the
farm product and dispose of manufactured
goods to branches of commerce that are
equally dependent upon the success of the
tiller Of the soil, or go out OF business.
The farmer in his independence, is in a
position to subsist and live a life. of COM
parative ease all unto himself, should he
choose to DO so. OF this fact We have
evidence not only through history, but by
the exhibition of crude instruments and
tools employed in tilling the soil. OF
course, with the home made tools farm
ing could not be conducted on the scale 1t
IS at the present day; we are speaking Of
the farmers independence of the other
branches Of industries. The farmer IA
able to construct every tool necessary to
the production Of food essential to prolong
life and provide clothing. What more are
absolutely required by any one? But the
majority OF farmers being industrious,
they would not be content to simply pro-
vide for themselves, therefore, instead of
each Individual being obliged to resort to
farming for livelihood, those who delight
in the freedom afforded by farming are
most happy and content when arranging
for the sowing of the seed, reaDing the
harvest and sending it forth to the world,
not only for the sustenance Of the multi
L, tude. but creating and keeping in motion
the various branches Of commerce.
At the present day of this enlightened
age. there are many inventions of,various
characters, some great and some small,
all OF which are manufactured and the
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
THE STORY OF AN OLD TIMER
BY NJ. G. RUSSELL, LAKE CITY REPUBLICAN

Mr.. H. p. Hall, Sit. Paul, Minn.-'Dear
Old Friend: yellow sheet Of paper has
reached my rosewood editorial table, upon
which is printed Con the paper, not the
table) sort of program of the Editorial
association meeting for this year. Among
other things, editors are invited to con-
tribute to department in the Minneapolis
Journal. Although l realize that this is
an invitation, and not a demand, yet am
constrained to drop line to the editorial
boys" Of the current century, both to
show them my hearty good will, and in a
belief that a brief note, at least (and
in particularly, would prove acceptable
to them, coming from a member Of the as
ISOLATION during goodly part Of former
century-'on of whom you are also
which, my dear Hall. The last meeting
I attended was held in the city hall at
Minneapolis, and we did our eating, dane
ing and understanding at the Nicollet.
At that session the galleries and lobby
were pretty we'll filled by citizens OF the
town, curious to see what sort OF q de-
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20

vice, as many others have done, but he did
not belong to the constructive class. Sen
ator Davis was perhaps more widely
known than any other honored resident Of
the state except Bishop Whipple, and as
scholar. orator and statesman, he deserves
very high place among Minnesota's great
| sons For 1t was his good fortune to oc
cupy conspicuous position in the coun-
ellis OF the nation at a time when our own
eyes and the eyes Of the world were TO
cused on Washington city. And in the
great work Of the United States senate at
that time, in which he took a leading part,
he gave service Of great value to his coun-
try; nor was the luster of his public char
acter dimmed by any of his distinguished
compatriots.
Reviewing the general character of the
six men mentioned and their services to
the state, I think first places must be
given to Bishop Henry B. Whipple and ex-
Governor John S. Pillsbury-the first most
typical of the spiritual life OF the state
a pioneer missionary, who gave great SER
vice to the work Of the church. and
through that work the best and greatest
renOwn to the state at home and abroad.
The second, different type, for his i'm
pcrtant service while governor in rescu-
ing the state from financial dishonor, as
we'll as for his salvation of the University
Of Minnesota from bankruptcy and the
fostering care he gave it until death; for
bis generous gift of building to that in
stitution, and for his large benefactions
for noble charitable and educational insti-
buttons in his home city. Governor Pills
bury was not known nationally, but he did
more for the state in material sense than
any other man in it. AS to Bishop Whip
pie, no feeble words of mine can add to
his glory. His memory Is imperishable in
the hearts of the good people Of the state,
and his life work will continue It's growth
with the growth Of the spiritual and edu-
cational institutions he founded and nour-
ished. 1t is such strong. pure characters
modest heroes they were-who leave their
impress upon state for time and eter-
nifty.
| Since the above was written I was
| pleased to see that the st. Paul CONNER
cial Club gave first place to Governor Sib-
J ley and Senator Rice