The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-02
LETTER FROM SENATOR BIGGs.
He Defends the Appropriation for .
BfndinE-Twine Plant.

Binding-Twine Plant.
To the Editor OF The Republic.
Jefferson City, Feb. S.-The general tenor
and spirit of The Republics editorial OF the
25th inst. under the title of extravaganza
Means Inhumanity." cannot but meet the
commentator of every patriotic citizen.
But it is possible that in certain exigencles
and in certain quarters, the conclusions
reached might be made to serve q hurtful
end, and one not intended by The Republic
or justified by fair Interpretation OF its
criticism.
As far as Senate bill No. so. to establish
a binding Irvine factory, to be operated by
convict labor. comes within the scope OF
The Republics warning against extrava-
gance, 1t is proper to say that the opera
ton of the bill would not involve either the
fiscal affairs OF the State or the good name
and credit OF its citizens. Before the full
amount necessary under the terms OF Sen
ate bill No. 80 would be required the reve-
nues Of the State would be ample to meet
the situation without embarrassment. 1t is
somewhat irexact, to say the least. 10
characterize this appropriation. made IN
response 10 the unanimous demand OF
large taxpaying and numerous elements of
our population with the words "extrava-
gance" and .inhumanity." The Republic
cannot intend. even by the remotest impii-
cation, to accuse the vast agricultural IN
terests OF this State either with extraNa.
xance or inhumanity. 1t certainly would not
withhold its Endorsements Of any praise
that might be accorded to the conservative
fr,,RaIity or to the humane liberality OF
that interest.
Our great eieemosynary institutions. large
" the handiwork Of the farmers OF TINS
State. are a monument to their generosity
and refute the intimation that they couid
fail to acknowledge or discharge the obli-
CATION which their maintenance imposes
The sentiment in favor Of Senate bill No.
So reflected by the practically unanimous
vote with which 1t has been endorsed In
the General Assembly. is neither selfish
nor a vicious sentiment The institution
which 4 proposes 10 establish within the
walls OF the Penitentiary. for the purpose
Of furnishing to the farmers Of the State
binding Irvine at cost, ie not an inconsfder-
ate experiment. An institution OF q similar
character was placed in the Penitentiary Of
Minnesota in 1892 which. after saving to
the farmers OF that State from to
cents per pound on binding Irvine. has in
creased the original fund from an appro-
pr1ation of $4,000 to q surplus OF $4,000
Indeed. It would not be inaccurate to say
that 1t saved the farmers Of Minnesota 8
cents per pound on one grade Of twfne:
for last year, while the State institution
sold at cents per pound. against a price Of
Is cents by the trust article, the same Irvine
sold in Missouri. where the competition did
not exist, as high as IS cents per pound.
At least It was 20 in Audrain County.
1t might not be impairment for the Seaa-
tor who introduced this bill to observe that
he had another reason for Offering II. not
specifically touching the beneflcenoe or mer-
Its Of the measure. The Democratic party
in the last campaign. led by our very able
Governor. arrayed itself against all trusts.
Even II we were unpledged and lacked the
incentive Of fulfilling our solemn promises.
We should not yield the field OF progress
and Of opposition to unrighteous and hur.ful
combines to other States. where the institu-
tion contemplated in Senate bill No. 50 has
not only been removed from the domain Of |
experiment but has proved an eminent sue
cess ana an incalculable economy to the
people. NJ. r. K EIGGS.
Eleventh senatorial District.