The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-10-19

consin in 1852, but has been a resi-
dent of Minnesota since 1858, his par
ents, who were among the earliest
pioneers, having settled on pre-emp-
ton in the southeastern part of the
state in that year. He was reared on
a farm and educated in the state
schools and in the Union College OF
Law in Chicago; admitted to the bar
in 1878, removed to Crookston IN
1880; was elected county attorney
that year and state senator in 1882,
where he took leading part in the
enactment of the first law for the reg
ulation of railroads, and creating the
railroad and warehouse commission
of this state, which has been the
. foundation of all subsequent legisla-
ton on the subject. In 1893 he mi
tiated the celebrated grain rate case
which was the first instance where
the rate making power of the state
over it's railroads was judicially deter
mined and finally established.
He was elected to congress in 1902
and reelected in 1904 and 1906. He
has served continuously during this
time as member of the committee on
Post Office and Post Roads and of The
Militia, of which latter committee he
is chairman. During Mr.. Steenerson's
service on the postofice committee
many important reforms have been
enacted. Rural free delivery has been
extended to nearly every country
home, the compensation of rural car
riers increased from $500 to $720, and
last year to 5000. The compensation
of clerks and carriers in city Offices
and Of railway mail clerks has also
been equitably adjusted and increas-
ed, while the compensation of the
railways for transporting the mails
has been reduced so as to result in an
annual saving of more than eight mil
lions Of dollars, thus more than max
ing up for the increased compensation
to clerks and carriers.
In order to carry out the recon-
mendations of President Roosevelt
and Secretary of War Taft for the
Strengthening of our national de-
lenses, Mr.. STEVENSON, as chairman
of the committee on The Militia, intro
duced in the last session of congress
the bill to promote the efficiency of
the militia and forced it through the
house against the opposition of both
republican and democratic floor lead
ers. The passage of this bill against
such opposition fixed Mr.. Steenerson's
position in the house as one of the
strong men Of that body, whose influ-
ence will count for great deal in the
future. This is one of the laws the
passage of which is especially COM
mended in the republican national
platform and by the president
Mr.. Stevenson took strong stand
both in the 59th congress and in the
last session for tariff revision. He in
troduced two bills providing for
tariff commission, and urged their
consideration upon the Committee on
Ways and Means. It was largely
through his efforts that a resolution
was finally agreed upon in the last
session Of congress under which all
questions relating to the subject of
tariff revision and readjustment are
now being investigated by the COM
mittees of the Senate and House pre-
paratory to revision early next year.
He has also taken an active part
in legislation for the regulation of
railroads, concerning public lands, In
dams, drainage and conservation of
natural resources.
In addition to these matters of gen
5eral concern, Mr.. STEVENSON has al
so secured the passage of large
number of private bills; such as pri-
vate pension bills, public building
bills, relief Of soldiers, granting per-
mission to build bridges and dams
{ over navigable streams; and for the