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
oussed.

LILO WduAbtOs AuStlu u OBJ OiOuu
Railroad Thoroughly Dis
oussed.
The City Asked to Aid the Project 70 tho
Extent OF % 900.
A meeting of the Board of Trade was
held in City Hall Monday night, and al
though there were but few ia 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 sdviss-
bility 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 as
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 sf the lead
ing lights OF the project in securing
local aid, remarked that Mankato had
been catalogued for $4,000, but subse.
quent information as to our having al
ready reached the limit OF railroad bon
uses, the amount would have to he re.
duced to meet the eXigencies. He felt
that $4,000 would be satisfactory under
the circumstances. Mr.. Willard could
see no good reason why Mankato should
refuse to acquiesce in this nominal
sum, il for 10 other purpose than to
show her good will toward the company.
Mr.. G. g. Burt, one Of those gentle
ment who for ten or twelve years has
been watching the road with a good
deal of interest, said that inasmuch as
the Immigrant to the company would
expire during the present year. the road
must be pushed to completion now, or
the probabilities are it never will he.
For twelve or fourteen wears its con-
struction has been hanging fire, and
never were the prospects so bright for
its consummation rs now. Only $40.
900 were lacking to make up the aggrc-
gaze OF bonus demanded along the en-
tire line, and certainly Mankato can at
ford to do the least of any that have
been called upon, inasmuch as the ad-
vantages afforded her citizens will be
among the greatest of any town along the
line.
Mr.. w. Il. Mills, while he did not OK.
pect that all would agree with him,
nevertheless felt impelied to express
his 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 $4,000 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
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, but how business man could
conscientiously decline to give the pal.
try sum of $4,000 to secure road of
such importance to Mankato, was be-
You'd his comprehension. He did not
believe that Mr.. Mills could give a
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 resultl
He had paid taxes in Blue Earth cOun-
ty tor twenty-seven years and expected
to twenty-sevcn 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. Hc believed the nominal sum
asked for should be granted without q
dissenting voice, and believed the peo-
pie of Mankato would not hesitate a
moment in granting 1t.
Messrs. Jas. Cannon, B. Tuttle, Jas.
Karmany, Swan johnson, Jensen, Pier
son, Daughtcrty, Leo Lamm, and 9th.
ers, ali 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 in Or
der to give employment to mechanics.
Mankat0 is too large to subsist upon
the surrounding country and industries
must be started here to make her self.
sustaining.
Mr.. Mills by this 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 companionable gentlemen, and
enjoys good society. He stated that it
seemed to him this matter was all one
sided, and would state that he was not
one to stand out. During his residence
here he had ever been ready to assist
every enterprise for the good of Man
katO that his means would allow, and he
did not propose to make an exception
in this case. He should act in conjunc-
ton with the majority of the people,
and favor bonus in aid of the MankatO,
Austin & 1t. Cloud road. At the con-
clusion of his remarks, Mr.. Mills was
heartily cheered.
. Mr.. M. G. Willard, Secretary of the
, Board, was asked to give his experience,
! for it should be remembered that this
was sort of revival meeting,) and he
promptly responded. He felt the neces'
! sity of the proposed road, for 1t would