The Minneapolis journal., 1904-09-26
clared strongly for free lumber and re-
ciprocity with Canada.
Declares Against Merger.

declares Against merger.
il The mergers question was ~ the final
point in the address. On this Mr.. ohm
son said: =. -3-. .f'r,Tr >'::' - =. -
Two years ago the one important issue in that
campaign was that of the so-called merger of
the Northern Pacific and Great Northern rail-
ways. The people of the state spoke in
uncertain sound in the election which followed,
and indorsed the present executive and his Off
cial action with majority unparalleled in the
history Of the state.
The party which gave him such phenomenal
| majority two years ago has as it's candidate to
succeed him one whO in every interview and ut
terance by him, has taken his stand in opposi-
tion to the policy of the present state admins
| tration and in accord with those who sought to
effect, and did effect, combination of these two
vast railway systems The platform on which
he stands was adopted before the convention was
organized, and those instrumental in: his nomi-
nation evade the issue with the declaration that
the party really did not adopt platform at all.
| But, whether the question is treated lightly
seriously, like Banquo's ghost, 1t will not
down.
| The merger was contrary to law; it
against public policy; it was crime against the
statutes and not right then, and is just
wrong then. 1t a combination which
annihilated competition. 1t created a power
| which places hundreds Of thousands within its
control, and gives to one man or set of men the
power to establish any rate of transportation
! thruout the great southern part Of this state.
1t was a direct blow at the producer, who
has a right to fair profit for his labor and on
his investment. 1t is no argument to say that
| there will be abuse of that authority. The
| authority is illegal. The merger against
the law. There can be question to
the motive in putting the law in operation to
| dissolve the merger. The executive simply did
his duty. 1t is common knowledge that Mime
| sofa shippers and producers suffering unjust
discrimination. Every shipper in the twin cities
knows this to be true; every farmer from here
to the Canadian border knows this to be true.
The railway commission is inactive. Complaints
| are lodged and placed in pigeonholes to gather
the dust and must Of time, and the people bear
| the burden.
Took Toll for Development.
If the farmer and the railway and the bust
ness men are to enjoy community of interests
and to feel a partnership, it is about time there
was more even distribution of the profits. 1t
has been said Of at least of our great railway
men that he has been great factor in the up
building Of the northwest. True, most true. /
would not detract from his greatness or the ex-
tent of his accomplishments, but, while he has
done much for the commercial development OF
our great state, this great state has done much
for him. His personal prosperity has been CO.
equal with the development Of the state, and
would never have: been possible but for the
farmer who has fto1ed faithfully and titled regu'
larly., -..4 .- i. ....s.-- ..-
1t would have been impossible but for the
1aborer in the shops who toiled faithfully ant
lived economically. The producer would have
survived without him, he could not have pros
pered without them: The fact that one mar
or dozen have contributed much for the
development of, the state gives them no righ
that does not belong to them under the supreme
law Of the land. It does not give them the right
to take the profits of the store the shop and the
ia rm because by combination they may have the
power. .z.: as. -.s.. = s*. -: .s-5,
81 Merger a Live Issue.
The merger is an issue in this campaign a!
much as in the last, and must remain an issue
until absolute Justice Is had by all the people
There must be sanity In conducting pubAc ar
fairs. We are not for anarchy, we raise no ret
!, flag here or in the time to come. 4 would no
. destroy corporate interests Il would not tax
+ away a single right that railway has by law
. but would give the humblest citizen every con
st1tutional right and protection In that right, an
, to this end the law must be obeyed by small AM
, great and should be upheld without favor b.
those to whom the duty Of upholding it is com
mitted. s' sscs@.*. s5ses.
The railway and other corporations OF tn
country have a right to enjoy fair rate of In
terest on their investment, and the farmer has
, right to q fair rate of profit on his investment
, Farms are not bonded at fictitious values. store
= are not disposng Of watered stock and the pub
! lie has right from all publie-service corpora
tions to demand good service at legitimate earn
> ings and any attempt to take more than tina
! is not in keeping with good government. An
i consolida tion formed for the purpose OF eS
i acting more than that Is unjustifable and swhe
1 contrary to law should be prohibited by the law
| It ma tiers not who attempts violation.
. | It is not more worthy in resident than In
non PRESIDENT. Let again emphasize my pos
:, ton by saying that any consolidation Or uniO
: for private gain at public expense is unho1y.
is un-American. The trust should have no p1ac
in the land Of the free and the home Of th
brave.
= In conclusion, Mr.. Johnson compl