The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-03-02
BOARD OF TRADE.
A Meeting Held on Monday Evening and
the Mankato, Austin & st. Cloud
Railroad Thoroughly Dis
cusSsd.
The city Asked to Ala the Project 20 the
Extent Of ~ 900.

CusSed.
The city Asked to Ala the Project 90 the
Extent Of ~ 600.
n meeting of the Board OF Trade was
held in City Hall Monday night, and al
though there wcu but tcw in attend
ance, yet the object for which the meet
ing was called did not suffer from lack
Of champions.
In the absence of the president, Mr..
Henry Shaubut was selected Chairman,
and briefly stated that the members of
the Board had been called together for
the purpose of considering the advisa-
biiity OF granting aid to the MankatO,
Austin, Il st. Cloud road.
Mr.. j. a. Willard, chairman OF the
committee, who had been appointed to
confer with the managers OF the road Us
to what was expected from Mankato,
Was called upon to make known the re-
suit of his interview. He stated that
Mr.. Officer. of Austin, one .f the lead
ing lights OF the project in securing
local aid, remarked that Mankato hal
been catalogued for 100000, but subse.
puent information as To our having al
ready reached the limit of railroad bon
nses, the amount would have to DO re.
duced to meet the exigencies. lie felt
that $4,000 would DC satisfactory under
the circumstances. Mr.. Willard could
see no good reason why Mankato should
refuse to acquiesce in this nominal
sum, ii Tor no other purpose than to
show her good will toward the company.
Mr.. &. q. Burt, one Of those gentle
ment who for ten or twelve years has
been watching the road with good
deal of interest, said that inasmuch as
the land-grant to the company would
expire during the present year, the road
must he pushed to completion now, or
the probabilities are it never will be.
For Twelve or fourteen years its con-
structiOn has been hanging fire, and
never were the prospects so bright for
its contamination us now. Only $40.
900 were lacking to make up the aggre-
gaze of bonus demanded along the en-.
tire line, and certainly MankatO can at
ford io do the least OF any that have
been called upon, inasmuch us the adj
vantages afforded her citizens will he
among the greatest OF any town along the
line,
Mr.. W. Il. Mills, while he did not en-
pect that all would agree with him,
nevertheless felt impelled to express
ms views upon the question of bonus,
inasmuch AS the meeting was called to
draw out the individual views of the
people. He was opposed to voting a
bonus to any railroad. Felt that the
road would come to MankatO in any
event, and the $1,000 would have no
influence one way or the other. Further
than this, the city has already exceeded
her limit in voting aid. and he did
not believe in adding more tax upon the
people.
Up To this time Mr.. Barney had been
a quiet listener, but Mr.. Mills opposi-
ton stirred up the dormant ardOr in the
little fellow and he arose to give his
feelings vent. Those present were made
To feel that Mr.. Barney was in favor of
railroads, and the more the better. He
hOnOred Mr.. Mills for speaking his
mind, hut how n business man could
conscientiously decline to give the pal.
try sum of $1,000 to secure d road of
such importance TO Mankato, was be-
yond his comprehension. lie did not
believe that Mr.. Mills could give Il
guarantee that the road would come to
Mankato if the bonus was refused. Sup
posing all the towns along the road had
refused aid, what would be the result!
He had paid taxes in Blue Earth coun-
ty Tor twcnty-seren years and expected
to twenty -seven more, and knew from
personal experience that it Was easier
to pay big tax than small one, if
only times were good. The more rail-
roads we get the better times, more
manufactures, more money. and more
willingness we will have TO pay our
taxes. He believed the nominal sum
asked for should he granted without a
dissenting voice, and believed the peO-
pie of Mankato would not hesitate a
moment in granting 1t.
Messrs. jas. Cannon, b. futile, Jas.
Karmany, Swan johnson, Jensen, Pier
son, Daughtcrty, Leo Lamm, and 9TH
crs, all conceded that the sum was too
small to bubble over, and it should re.
ceive the support of the citizens. The
general sentiment expressed was that
more manufactures were needed i'll Or
der to give employment to mechanics
Mankato is too large to subsist upon
the surrounding country and industries
must be started here to make her self.
sustaining.
Mr.. Mills by Tins time felt lonesome
and wanted to get INTO The carriages
where he could have more company
for all who know Mr.. Mills know that
he is n companionable gentlemen, and
enjoys good society. He stated that il
seemed to him tins matter was all one
sided, and would state that he was no
one to stand out. During his residence
, here he had ever beeu ready to assis
every enterprise for the good of Man
katO that his means would allow, and h,
: did not propose to make an exception
in this case. lie should act in cOnjunc
/. ton with the majority of the people
I and favor bonus in aid of the MankatC
! Austin Il 1t. Cloud road. AT the con
clusion of his remarks, Mr.. Mills Wa
heartily chcered.
Mr.. NJ. G. Willard, Secretary of tn
I Board, was asked to give his experience