Daily globe., 1879-02-13
Meeting of the Committee.

meeting of the special joint committee on
the selection of site for new States prison
was held at the capitol building last night, Mr..
Jared Benson in the chair. The object of the
meeting was for the purpose Of receiving pro-
posals from the citizens of counties interested
In the location of the site, delegates appearing
from st. Cloud and Sauk Rapids, West st.
Cloud, Kasota, La Crescent, Granite Falls,
Lltchield and Owatonna.
A proposal was submitted from the citizens
OF st. Cloud and Sauk Rapids embodying a
statement of the reasons why the new State
prison should be located at or near one of the
above named places.
Capt. Collins, of St. Cloud, said that he
would endeavor to outline some of the natural
adVantages surrounding Sauk Rapids and st..
cloud, which he proceeded to do at considera-
BILE length, laying great stress on the profusion
OF granite in that locality. In conclusion the
speaker said that the owners of the ouarries
were willing to make liberal Inducements to
the State, for the location Of the penitentiary
at OF near Sank Rapids.
MIR. Brink said that be was authorized to
state that the city Of Red Wing was willing to
donate i've or ten acres of land and contribute
from $lO, 600 to 500 600 for the construction of
new States prison. The speaker read a COM
munication embodying a statement of the
quality of the granite, together with the ad-
vantages that would result from locating the
new prison at Red Wing.
MIR. Delano spoke at length upon the merits
OF the granite quarries at st. Cloud.
A proposal was submitted from the owners
OF granite quarry in West St. Cloud Stearns
county, offering twenty acres of the northwest
quarter OF the southwest quarter of section IL,
IN township 124, north of range 25, containing
forty acres, according to government survey.
Inc communication was signed by Messrs. II.
Rogers, w. M. Tileston and W. D. Rogers. and
made the offer on condition that the State oc-
cupy the twenty acres donated, with the pro-
posed new prison.
proposal was submitted from the citizens
OF Kasota, LIE Sueur county, Offering to donate
thirty acres of land in the village of Kasota as
a site Tor the erection of the proposed peniten-
tlary. The communication stated at length
the railroad and water advantages of the To-
calty, calling especial attention to the mex
haustlble supply Of white sand and Kasota
stone. Mention was also called to the trans
Portatlon facilities and eligibleness of the site
concluding with the prediction that if located
there the institution could be made self sup.
porting. The proposal was signed by MIR. T.
Buffers.
Mr.. Cameron, Of Houston county, said that
he would like to call attention to the superior
advantages offered by the city of La Crescent
Tor the location at that point Of the new State
prison.
numerously signed communication was
submitted from the citizens Of Granite Falls,
Yellow Medicine county, calling attention to
the advantages of Granite Falls in connection
with the proposed location of the new State
prison. The aforesaid advantages were emu
merated at length, embracing a statement of
the unlimited supply of granite rock, its easy
accessibility, and combined with railroad fa-
cllltles and great natural advantages. In con-
Guiding. 1t was proposed to donate forty ac1es
OF land suitably located for the construction Of
the proposed prison, we'll supplied with granite
and to employ the labor of convicts for any
specified number of years.
Mr.. Brewer, delegate from Sauk Rapids
and St. Cloud, denied the existence Of any
ring in the matter.
MIR. Strabeck presented the claims Of Litch-
field.
MIR. Wheeler, of Owatonna, said that before
entering the room he had entertained the idea
that few persons, at least, resided in the
southern part of the State.
After speaking at some length he said that
in view of the fact that Owatonna was more ac-
cessible, and better situated as distributing
point, than any other place in the State, he
would submit their claims, with the request
that they be carefully taken into considera-
tion.
MIR. Borlingame, Of Owatpnna, called atten-
tion to the granite quarries of that section of
the State, extending an invitation to the COM
mlttee to visit Owatonna for the purpose of
making general inspection.
MIR. Doran said that certain gentlemen had
forestalled the committee by the introduction
OF bill favoring certain locality
Speaker Gilman said that in introducing his
bill, he supposed he was exercising constitu-
tional right. A right which any and all mem
bers could exercise at their personal will and
option.
On motion of Mr.. Campbell the meeting adj
Journed until Friday evening at 1880 O clock,