The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-03
In conclusion, Governor Van San
Public Must Be Heard From.

Public Must Be Heard From.
If the law is not enforced the fault rests
with our executive officers, state and ma
tionaL If additional legislation is not Sc
cured we ourselves are to blame. In this
country the people rule, or can do so If
they choose; if they do not the fault is
their own. Ours is representative gov
eminent. We cannot all go to Washington
so we send our senators and congress-
men there to represent us. All that is nee
essary, then, is to make our demands
known. Our representatives should comply
with our wishes. The trouble is and has
been that we have been Indifferent. It is
mot only our duty to$4elect but to IN
struct our officials. They should take their
orders from the electors and not be gov
erned by those antagonistic to public In
terests. Let meetings like this be held In
every city in our state and in the nation.
Let it be understood that we intend to
fight and fight hard and fight until the
cause triumphs. There will then be no
trouble in passing a just measure like
this; no force SO potential as an aroused
public sentiment, and no one will dis
cover that sentiment sooner than the
public servant.
The proposed measure is known as the
Cooper bill and is now before a commit
tee Of congress. The friends Of the meas
ure fear the bill will be ''smothered" in
committee. Can it be possible? I think
not. However, If "smothered" or defeated
the fight must continue. To admit that we
are helpless Is to lose faith in constitu-
tional government. Whether the railroads
are our servants or our masters might as
well be settled now as at any time. II
the created is greater than the creator. if
the railroad is greater than the state, we
might as we'll know It first as last. These
problems must be met and solved. Soon
we must determine whether this is to be
a government by the people or gov
eminent by the corporations.
Fellow citizens, it Is for you to decide.
You have right, Justice and law on your
side. Thus equipped, with push, pluck and
perseverance you can win.
A set Of resolutions, submitted by
Cliff w. Gress was then adopted, in
part as follows:
Legislation Endorsed.
Whereas, We, the citizens of Cannon
Falls and vicinity, in mass meeting as
| sembled, find: -
First-That we are being oppressed by
excessive and discriminating transporta-
ton charges.
Second-That the conditions which exis
locally are general thruout the state.
Third-That We find nowhere vested
power to apply a prompt and adequate
remedy. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That we hereby recommend
to and urge upon our representatives ii
our state legislature, the passage Of
| law, during the coming session, which
shall empower the Minnesota railroad ant
warehouse commission after hearing
and investigation, to fix what shall be
reasonable maximum rate of freigh
/ charges upon all lines Of railroad in thu
state of Minnesota; said rate to be primi
/ facie, reasonable and just until decide,
otherwise by a court of competent juris
dietion, and that pending any litigation
that may arise, the railroad companie
shall charge the rates established by TIN
commission. Be it further
Resolved, That we hereby request ou