The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-01-13

brtbe. and yet the mere acceptance Of the
Courtesy necessarily places the recipient
under some slight measure of obligation
to the corporation. Public officials, and
men prominent in other walks OF life
tenn which has been in vogue ever since
our existence as state; and the system
has been so much abused that sentiment
ton of the practice. All corporations do
business on an earning basis, and every
free pass or favor granted by a corpora
ton is, of necessity, paid for by the class
of citizens who do not come within the
favor of the corporations. Public opinion
in this state has grown to such an extent
that there is a general demand for the
Massage of a law similar to that adopted
Ho t%e state of Wisconsin, and which is
most stringent and effectual.
would urge the adoption of a law
which will abolish the pass system in
this state. The legislature should not
hesitate to give expression to this senti-
ment. .,eo>, yApo1
For a number of years the state has
maintained plant at the state prison
and the messages of my several predeces,
sors in office have in almost every in
stance acknowledged the wisdom Of the
establishment of that plamt fo IT is profit.
Labor and in addition thereto, is of great
benefit to the farmers OF the state by
giving to them cheaper binding twine
to ~, the extent that in. this instance the
convict labor thus employed is not thrown
into competition with the free labor of the
state 1t would be wisa1 nra upon the part
the nrison labor to the manufacture of
binding Irvine. 1t would be source of
revenue equal to that derived from the
MAMMA cture of other products. Prison
LABOR should not compete with free labor
II might be a source Of economy to en-
gage q portion Of this labor in the manu-
acture Of shoes and n, GbbGithing for the
bnt aside from this, I believe it would be-
wise, economical and profitable to extend
the Irvine plant to such an extent as to
provide employment Ior the remainder.
great deal of criticism. By the change
Suggested, two results would be accom-
plished. both Of which would be to the
best interests of the state.
LABOR LEGISLATION.
Another subject which is of great in
terest to the working people Of our state
is what may be described as the Common
Law Doctrine as to the non liability of
master to a servant for injuries occur
ring through the negligence Of fellow
servant. This ancient rule Of the COM
mon law, coupled with the other rule,
generally referred to as the doctrine of
the assumption Of risk oy employees. has
and responsibility out of all proportion
to the Wages he receives. Whatever NAV
have been said as to the propriety of the
Common Law Doctrine IN the past, 1T is
high-geared and dangerous machinery
performs such large part in the pro-
duction Of MANUFACTURING articles. This
fact has been recognized in the matter OF
operating railroads The Fellow Servant
rule having been abolished In this state
as to them. The true rule is, that the
industry should bear the risk and not
daily deprived Of the means OF earning a
livelihood by those appalling accidents
which are occurring with more ard more
frequency Of late.
SWAMP LAND DRAINAGE.
Vast tracts of land located largely in
the northern. part of the state are at
present a useless waste, because they are
low, wet and untillable. This land drained
would reclaim to the state countless acres
rich in soil and capable of profitable Guilt
walton. 1 urge upon your consideration
the enactment Of law having for its
purpose the drainage of this land under
state supervision. To Go this I would
recommend the establishment of a revolv-
viding for this improvement may be met,
the money thus expend4 to be returned
to this fund in deferred Nayments without
eetes from the isnds The
ent system is unsa(tistsRe~ The plan
saggested woy's ~ sepre q self
able to all sections o. the state. The
fact that such a revolving fund woulG1be
kept int act would permit of more rapid
development of the dtfsinage system and
would relieve the legislature of future ap-
preparations for drainage purposes
l deem it my duty also to call your at
tention to the national swamp land grant
by which thousands of acres of swamp
land were decided to the state, with the
understanding and consideration that
these lands were to be drained by the
state The duties and obligations thus i'm
>Sosed should be met, and the pledge made
bv>the state to carry out its part of this
reerSspta should most certainly be re-
deemed.