The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-04-24
REAsoNABLE ARGUMENT.
John A. Willard Fsvors the Issuing OF
Bonds for New County Buildings.


Bonds for New County Buildings.
Editor Free Press
II Is said that among the farmers there
8 some opposition to the pending pro-
position to vote bonds to build court
house and Jail. Being myself somewhat
Of farmer, and one OF the few residents
Of Mankato who il more interested In
farms and farming lands than in city
and at the same time very
much in favor of the bonds, would like
to take each opposer by the hand and
argue the question with him, for know
his heart is right, while in this instance
believe his head Is wrong. II being
for me to talk with any con-
siderable number, ask little of your /
space to give few of the reasons why
think farmers and all others should
favor the bonds. Let me declare at the |
outset that what say Is in no dictatorial
spirit, nor do l assume that l know bet |
ter than they, only as my residence in
Mankato has given me better opportuni-
ty for observing and caused me TO think |
more deeply upon the subject.
/ presume those who oppose do not
see the necessity for q court house and
Jail or think the burden too great
possible only these two questions.
Ia il necessary? The present county
building consists of the original, enlarge
ments and additions to primitive
building erected more than twenty-five
wears ago, when the county was new and
the people poor. The building is set
low under the hill, and 1t is not surpris-
ing the vaults are damp and dangerous:
They are already overcrowded and
more room must speedily be provided.
Experts declare some of the vaults UNI
safe in case of fires. What shall be done
under these circumstances More room
ia imperatively demanded. Shall we
enlarge these primitive and defective
constructions or let them stand and
build others like them temporary in
character, or start from the foundation
and build something strong, permanent
and lasting? The latter to me seems the
most economical course. Do you realize
what a calamity to the county the de-
struction by fire of the records of the
| District and Probate courts and Register
of Deeds would bep What chaos of
titles am appalled, at the very idea.
The loss would be irreparable, and the
trouble, anxiety and expense to each
| individual many times his share of the
proposed cost Of the court house. This
touches everybody. Nearly every farm
er and four. ffths of all voters are more
or less interested IN titles. County
buildings are no more exempt from fire
than other buildings, and insurance does
not meet the case. Suppose there is
difference of opinion as to the safety OF
the records-can we afford to take the
chances / answer not one of US can
afford to take the chances for the little
Ia hnttan NIL M in.
dividually.
The taxable property of the county in
1884 was, in round numbers, seven mil.
lion nine hundred and thirty-nine thou.
sand dollars. Less than one cent on the
dollar would pay the whole $40, 0OC
down ut once. Farmers do not average
So 600 of valuation, on which the whole
amount to pay in full would be less than
$40, but it don't have to be paid now
and the interest each year at five pei
cent. is less than one-half mill on the
dollar of valuation or less than 81 on
So 600 of valuation. 1t would cost many
farmers less than fifty cents. Who will
take any chance of destruction of title!
for 80 small q sum? Before the principa
has to be paid, less than one-tifth of 6
mill will pay the interest and less than
half cent on the dollar the whole
bonds.
The City of Mankato has now one
quarter OF the valuation of the whole
county. The whole interest is s., $50 pei
, year, of which the city would pay 81 ,02l
and the rest of the county $2,729, little
more than an average of 800 per towr
and less than an average Of VI per quar-
ter section for the whole county. How
paltry the sum when rightly considered
If any say 81 would rather pay all dowI
than issue bonds" my answer is
most of you are paying more than five
per cent. interest and your children viii
also. you build a court house it il
for them as well as yourselves. YOU
have built many bridges and paid mucl
money; those who come after you
, should do something. The iron bridges
will stand. The only great work for the
county is county building. 1t is RICH
that the future generation bear part O
vii viii build too good buiidingS Remem
Der you let the coming generation pay
for it. You should build one they need
not pull down to build larger or stronger
; or better. Much money has been spen
in the last twenty-five years on temper
ary buildings, and much more must bt
in the near future, unless you now buil(
permanently. Is it not better n0aD Il
build permanently for ourselves and fo
posterity? Then We were unable; nov
we are. Those who know me will no
accuse me of extravaganza: l do little
/ for show alone. But in this case mus
!. say build with no stinted hand. Ont
building is all county has-let 1t not bt
built for one year or ten, but for cen
fury. Lay broad and deep the founda
tons and build structure that will pre-
serve our public records and county
property forever against the possibility
of loss, and at the same time such {
building as neither we or our children
| or grand children will be ashamed of al
the court house Of one of the best coun
ties in the State, but rather be proud of
The county can now afford it; the county
seat can never be changed, and / be
, lieve if you will rightly consider you al
want this very thing. The time is oppor
tune in every respect. Building materia
is now very cheap. Your bonds can bt
negotiated we'll. You have safe board
of commissioners, who will not exceed
the limit of money you vote for the
building, and will see that you get the
worth of your money. They are fully
impressed with the necessity of the
out submission to you, but have takeE
this course that free expression may
he given in 80 important matter, with
full faith that you, too, will see the ne
cessity of the situation.
i With one other suggestion will close
this already too lengthy communication
It has been intimated by some in the
country that the people of the city were
more interested in the court house
than those in the country. The refiec'
ton that while nearly every farmer
has some interest in titles and conse
quently in the safety Of records while
many in the city have none, answers
this.
If built, 1t is the property of the coun
ty, and know of no reason why 1t viii
be more useful or source of greater
pride to denizen ofthe city than to one
in any part OF the county. But even Il
it were so, let us as farmers and those
more interested in the county than the
city be Just and fair to the city.
The city of Mankato does now and al.
ways has paid over one quarter OF all
county taxes, consequently has paid
over one quarter for the magnificent
system of ever enduring iron bridges
throughout the county, while less than
one sixteenth part Of the money hat
been expended within her limits. Let
us not be less magnanimous than she
has been-she always favored the bridg
es.
So much has been addressed to those
who pay the taxes. have only word
for those who pay little or none. If the
tax payers are willing to incur the ex.
pense for the security of their titles and
property and for the credit of their coun
tv Won ought certainly to be, for you az