The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-03-28
BOARD OF TRADE xsnrnc.

The meeting of the Board of Trade
Monday morning was one Of the most
interesting that has been held for many
weeks, and the spirit of progress mani
tested by many Of the members gave
ample evidence that a change of heart
has been wrought.
The question of the erection of cot
tages for rent was brought up and dis
cussed. THE FREE PREss has upon sew
eral different occasions called attention
to our needs for more houses, and as
warm, balmy weather approaches, the
crying need il more loudly echoed.
Dozens of new families are only wait
ing to locate here as SION as suitable
family quarters can he secured, and if
provision il not soonfinade to receive
them, the inevitable result will be, we
shall lose them altogether. 1t would
seem thnt this subject has been brought
before the public often enough to in
duco some of our capitalists to go to
work and supply the urgent demand.
five would increase our population,
it will he contingent upon us to see
that houses are constructed without
further delay.
The Board also took up for consider
alton the condition of our streets. This
is matter that will need attention i'm
a very few days. Thefrost is rapidly
leaving the earth, and unless the filth
is forthwith gathered up, and hauled off
of our streets and alleys, malaria will
be the inevitable result. Mr.. J. =.
Christensen, II member of the Board of
Health, said that as soon the water re-
coded, a place would be provided for,
dumping the rubbish, and sanitary mat
ters would he rigidly looked after.
There is, at this time, no one feature
connected with Mankato's future as u
jobbing point, which needs more atten-
ton than the securing Of Il reduction in
freight tariff. TO the end that our city
may be favored in this direction, Mr.
+. y. Merrill introduced resolution to
the effect that Il committee of three be
appointed to confer with the various
railroad managers, whose lines center
here. and endeavor to secure cguit-
able tariff freight to and from
Mankato. The President appointed
IA this committee, Messrs. +. y.
Merrill. l.. \. Moore and J. !.
Christensen. A first-class delegation,
and men who are personsally interest
cd in the business they are delegated
to perform.
Mr.. Stephen l.amm, brought to the
attention of the board matter that it
is high time action should be taken up
the erection Of II new Court House
and other county buildings.
Mr.. Lamm stated that he knew of no
organized county in the northwest of
any prominence, but what had infinite
ly better county building than We have,
and he thought that with the wealth
and standing that Blue Earth had at
tanned there was now no further apollo
gies to be offered for our disgraceful old
rocks denominated county buildings.
The city pays about one-third of the en-
tire taxes of the county, and he thought
We were entitled to at least creditable
buildings. AS one of the heaviest tax
payers in the county, Mr.. Lamm said
he was perfectly willing to be taxed
literally for this improvement. The
grounds had been donated to the coun-
ty, and now the time had arrived when
they should be beautified and adorned.
He thought that fifty or sixty thousand
dollars in bonds should be voted by the
people, and applied to the erection of
these necessary buildings.
The position that Mr.. Lamm took on
this important question was heartily
endorsed by the Board, and we believe
will be approved by the people of the
county generally. The property valua-
ton in Blue Earth county rs returned
by the assessors Of the various towns
for 1883 is: -........ ........
teai...:. .............. ...$6,290.4il
personal. ...................... l.sSo,4l4