The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-02-19
THE COURT HOUSE.

The meeting of citizens of Blue Eartl
county called to meet with the Count,
Commissioners for the purpose of con
sultation regarding the new court house
project, was held in the court room
Wednesday. The city was well repre-
sented by our prominent business men
and heavy tax payers, while the attend
ance from the country was fair, but not
as large as could be wished.
Commissioner Diamond presided, and
missloners saw on their tour of inspec-
ton of court houses in different cities
visited, he stated that the county funds
on hand, and what would be available
600 for immediate use in constructing a
court house.
\ special meeting of the Board of
Trade was held in the morning, for the
purpose of talking over the court house
project, and upon the invitation of Mr..
Diamond, Mr.. NJ. q. Willard submitted
briefly what the Board had determined
to recommend. We append herewith a
copy of the suggestions:
That the County Commissioners pro-
cecd ut once to contract for the building
of Il court house, To cost at least SIS, 900.
That it be pushed to completion dur
ing lSS6,-at least SO far rs to be en-
closed.
That it be built of native material so
| far rs may be-of stone, or stone and
brick-in the discretion of the County
| Board.
That it be made fire proof so far as
reasonably practicable.
Mr.. Willard took the ground that the
Commissioners had authority to issue
bonds for the payment of the structure
after the expenditure of available cash,
and thought it Il part of economy to adj
vertiSe for cash bids, as contract could
he let more advantageously than If the
contractor had got to wait three or four
years for his pay, or discount county
warrants.
The question us To whether or not it
would be as well To lay the foundation
and construct the building all in one sea-
son. rs il would be to put in the fourda-
ton walls this year and finish the eX-
terror of the building next was discussed
with considerable force.
Mr.. Willard thought il would .be Just
as well to enclose the structure the first
year, while Mr.. Klein took a different
view. He saw the foundation OF Il court
house i'm WISCONSIN which had stood for
two wears before the building was put
up, and II prominent architect had told
him that it was much better to put up a
large structure in this way than to rush
it through in one season. Mr.. Klein
further stated that he had become |
thoroughly converted to stone for the |
building, and thought it best to consume
three years in its contraction. If this |
length of time was taken home labor and |
home material could be used to the al |
most entire exclusion of outside assist |
ance. He also thought il proper to is
sue county bonds for whatever the de-
ficiency would he in completing and |
paying for the building.
Mr.. l.. \. Moore did not quite See the
necessity of occupying three years time
IN building, and wanted to know if 1t was
the opinion of the Commissioners that
the present quarters were adequate for !
all purposes for that period.
Mr. J. n. Hall expressed himself as of
the opinion that a good, substantial
building could be put up in one year.
The finishing could be done the second |
year.
Ex-Commissioner Swan felt satisfied |
that the present county buildings would |
do all right for three years more and he
certainly would favor occupying that
length of time in putting up Il new court
house. In the first place he would favor
1t on account of the finances. Secondly, |
ID ,rnnld Lea. u far -i.attar hnildin" whom
done. If there were any defects in the
they would show themselves
within year, besides the walls would
have chance to settle.
Architect Pass expressed himself as
from experience that first
class job could not be done if the build
ing was put up and finished in one wear.
1t might be enclosed and the floor ioists
be put in the first year, but the plaster
ing and wood work should not he touch
ed until the following year.
Commissioner Klein had been inform
ed by contractor that 5000 could be
saved on $4,000 building by taking
three instead of one year in which to do
the work.
Mr.. Willard felt il entirely unncces-
sary to consume SO much time in putting
the building up, and showed IN what
brief period some large buildings IN
lower town had been erected-from six
to ten weeks. He thought six or eight
months s,ould suffice for putting up a
court house.
The matter of how much grading
should Ice done was discussed, and the
general sentiment seemed to be To grade
only where the foundation was to be
laid until the building was finished.
Then the matter of location was
brought up. On this point there was
singular unanimitv of feeling, all agree
ing that the building should be set well
up on the hill so as to be about equal
distance from the three streets surround
ing the square-leaving the ground in
front and facing the city to be orna-
mented with trees, etc.
Commissioner Piper had understood
that the ground was somewhat springv
and wanted to know if it was safe to
place the foundation upon such ground
without proper drainage, and first grad
ing the property. The replies to this
question were somewhat numerous, but
the Hickory street grading furnished
rather conclusive proof that there was
little danger of striking soft or wet soil.
In case, however, that such should be
found, all danger to the solidity of the
foundation would he obviated by proper
drainage.
Moon hour having arrived, the meet
ing adjourned until O'Clock for further
discussion and consideration.
Chairman Diamond called to order
and announced that anyone desiring 10
be heard upon the -question i'm hand
could have an opportunity to express
himself. After Il long silence during
which audible whispering was plente-
Gus, J. ii. Davis, Esq. called for Mr.. r.
Wigley, of Judson, who declined to
speak, but expressed himself in favor of