The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-04-16

Mr.. Pau explained that the plans and
specifications have been ordered, and
when accepted must be paid for, and
had the opposition now made been pre-
scented TO the Commissioners in Febru.
airy, it would not have involved the ex-
penditure of a 81 900, which has since
been made, because the plans must be
paid for in any event.
Mr.. Klein stated that the greatest
pains had been taken in securing the
plans, and that the Commissioners had,
at least 81, 900. Besides, the plans will
not be accepted until they are referred
to an expert for his judgment as to their
correctness.
Mr.. Shelby wanted the Commissioners
to pay for the plans and drop the court
house. The harmony of the county was
of more worth than the cost of plans.
| Mr.. Vance, Of Danville, said they were
here to talk business, and very import
ant business too. He is chairman of the
supervisors of his town and in response
to the invitation of the secretary of the
Garden City meeting, and at the request
| OF number of prominent men of his
| town, he was here to represent them.
His people voted against the bonds and
voted against building court house at
the present time, and he believed this
sentiment prevailed all over the county.
His people wished to enter an earnest
protest against the proceeding of the
commissioners on question Of prin-
ciple. He believed that their acts were
contrary to our principles of govern
ment; that their acts were undemocratic
and possibly illegal. He believed it was
establishing dangerous precedent, for
if this board had the power to condemn
these buildings and levy tax for larger
have the same right. When you try to
ded against the bonds and not
the building, cit is a mistake. We
feel the Board in this case is
exercising an unwarrantable jurisdic-
ton over us. Had the Commissioners
proceeded as they are now doing, before
submitting the question to the people,
Mr.. Vance thought there would be much
less opposition than there is now. He
did not wish the people of Mankato to
understand that he would say one word
that would have tendency to engender
strife or ill-feelings over this matter.
We feel proud of your city, of its enter
prise, and our interests are so closely
allied that they are one and inseper-
able. And, so far as the speaker had
gone, he believed he had the support of
his town. In case this matter is taken
into the courts he should take no part
until he had consulted with his people.
Mr.. Cougar said as the only difference
between the people and the Commits
sioners seemed to be about the plans,
he would favor the payment of these,
lay them aside for future use and quit
here.
Mr.. Pau explained that the architect
was in degree superintendent, and to
delay construction would be equivalent
to throwing the plans away.
General Pope had listened to the dis
cussion and his understanding was that
the county commissioners must order
the erection of court house, they alone
acting as the authorized agents for the
people. He had travelled throughout
the Northwest, in Minnesota and DakO-
ia and has failed to find county with
building 80 disgraceful as ours. Mr.. Pope
would like to have seen the bonds carry,
but as the majority ordered otherwise,
he submitted. At the February meet
ing he believed there were more farm
ers here than there are to-day, and only
one man spoke in opposition to the
court house. The question OF giving
away thousand dollars now ought not
be considered.
Mr.. Shelby said if the Commissioners
persisted in going on with this work 1t
would be contested to the end. Whether
the Commissioners are the supreme rul-
ers or the peoples servants would be
ascertained.
C. NJ. Green, of Shelby, said his town
was opposed to the court house last
spring and are now. If the Commits
siOners presume to override the will Of
the people it will be done after the
courts have 80 decided. 1t has arrived
at that point when money is not OF so
much importance as the principle in
volved.
Commissioner Gainor being called up
on for reasons why he has taken this
step, said that In January he was OPP
posed to building court house, but af-
ter the February meeting was called to
discuss the matter and no opposition
made to the project he changed his
mind and is now in favor of going on
with the work.
Mr.. Vance said he scanned the county
papers pretty closely, but did not un-
derstand that the invitation was to give
opponents to the court house an oppor-
tunity to file their protests. He gained
the idea that it was only for the purpose
of discussing plans, location, etc.
Mr.. Parks said that the point In all
this discussion has not been reached.
Some conclusion should be arrived at.
The purpose of the meeting is to fix up
on some plan to stop the project. His
people feel insulted in the matter. The
effort on the part of the commissioners
to crowd down our Threats direct taxa
ton will not work. The people will be
willing to pay the 81 900 for plans if the
Commissioners will drop the matter.
Some of his neighbors ARE paying ten
per cent to pay this taxation and feel
like resenting the liberties taken with
them.
Mr.. Hanna, of Beauford, said his peo-
pie are opposed to court house, but
personally he thought if the Commits
sioners would 90 on with the work it
will saw expense and confusion.
Mr.. Hall said if this matter is submit
ted to a vote again 1t will carry, and the
result will be a court house worth
$3.50, 900 will be built. There are in this
county IL, 900 forties, and throwing out
all cattle, stocks of goods, stores, ETC.,
$75, 900 up. The city of Mankato has for
twenty-five years paid her proportion
of the taxes for roads and bridges for
the country, while the city has not re-
ceived one cent for such improvements.
Mr.. Cougar said he believed that the
Commissioners had been seduced by the
Board of Trade.
Commissioner Martinson quickly re-
piled to this accusation, and said that he
had not been seduced by the Board of
Trade or any one else. He had acted
his own Judgment in the matter.
Mr.. Champlin, chairman of the meet
ing, said he desired to say a word for
Vernon. His town, with single ex-
ception, voted solldly against the court
house proposition. At the recent town
meeting the people took occasion to pass
resolutions denunciatory to the action
of the Commissioners. For the city to
claim that the court house proposition
was not defeated is not consistent. He
did not believe that the farmers have
any disposition to quarrel with Manka-
TO. He wants 10 see Mankato prosper
and believes that Mankato wants to see
the country prosper. He.paid Mr.. Klein
very high compliment for his .strOng
adherence to his constituency, and. re-
marked that if the other four Commits
sioners were as truly representing their
constituency, there would be no occa-
sion for this meeting. He disliked to
appear in opposition to Mankato, but
the Commissioners are acting entirely
wrong In this matter. If the question is
again submitted and carries, the country
will be hand in hand with th.ecity. Mr..
Champlin made some very striking re-
marks, paying in turn compliment to
each of the Commissioners for their
honesty as men, but did not fail to stamp
their action upon the court house ques-
ton as in direct opposition to the senti-
ments of their constituency as expressed
at the polls. He reminded the Commits
sioners that they alone will be held re-