The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-05-03
THE RING ON TOP.


top. The members of the council who
had been looked to to put the brakes upon
the train of extravagances lately started,
Monday night played right intothe hands
ofthe combine who are working the mu-
nicipal government on the "trust" plan.
In order to make a pretense of having
acquiesced in the demand for a reduc-
ton of expenses the salaries of the po-
licemen were cut SIS per month and the
fire chiefs pay reduced $25 per year.
This petty exhibition of economy was
made to hide the iniquity of retaining
the salary of the city attorney at $500
per year and sustaining the raise made
for the benefit of the city treasurer. The
Mayor pettifogged or threatened
through his point, and Mr.. Young and
his partner (who acts gratis) will get
their $500, while Mr.. Sherk's increase is
sustained for reasons noted below. The
board of public works still lives and the
extra policeman, the sidewalk inspector
and sewer assistant are still preserved
for the purpose of fulfilling the Mayors
deals.
Alderman Pond alone had the courage
to advocate the adjustment ofsalaries on
last years schedule-the remainder flew
in the face of the peoples wishes, either
by reason of their connection with the
"trust" or because they considered their
own judgment superior to the over
whelming sentiment of the public. We
hope those members who have not here
tofore been classed as ring men have
some sounder reasons for opposing the
proposition to restore salaries to their
old basis than were offered Monday.
Some of the latter were positively alb
surd, particularly the argument that the
new, Young city attorney should be paid
$500 for what an old lawyer like +. P.
Freeman, Esq, was last year paid 5000,
because the mayor had taken the attor-
ney into partnership and would aid him
on the city's cases free of charge. 1t is
doubtful if such gauzy attempt to COW
er up public extravaganza was ever at
tempted. We advise the trust" to take
Boss Tweed's course, fly high, and in
stead of putting forward such silly twad-
die as the above, to boldly ask, what
are you going to do about it?' The
public certainly can't do anything about
it at this late day, unless it be to give
the Vaccinations of the combine as much
air as possible and prepare them for the
wrath to come two years hence.
1t is well understood that in order to
bring into line certain aldermen who
are special friends of City Treasurer
Sherk, the latter was threatened with a
reduction of his fees unless the alder
men in question voted to retain the sal
aries at the increased figures. The
pressure seems to have had the desired
effect. The raise in the salary Of city
treasurer is one of the most needless
additions among those made. Mr..
Sherk received last year $500 for his
services, yet there are plenty Of good
men who would 81 the position and fur
nish aIY bond required for one-fourth
what it is proposed to pay the treasurer
the coming year. Alderman Johnson's
explanation of his change of heart on
the subject of salaries is much clearer
when the above explanation of his
Cooking into it" is made. Mr.. john
sons loyalty to the MAYOR, after he
found he was going into partnership
with the city attorney, was beautiful,
but Just how this expose of the combine
between Pfau and Young struck the
mayor is not known. The latter dis
claims having any share in the $500
salary, but there are many who can't
understand what moved the mayor to
argue Mr.. Young's case last night, or to
offer to aid the young man on the city
cases free of charge. Mr.. Pfau hasn't
made such reputation for public phi
lanthrophy as will satisfy the public
that he hasn't purely personal motive
in all this business.
According to contracts already con-
summated, Alderman Schiman will in
short time be appointed night watch
man at large, the new Office created for
the mayors benefit, and that gentle
mans position on the salary matter is
therefore very clear. Aid. Hillesheim's
previous opposition was evidently paci-
fed by the appointment of Mr.. Maho-
valid as superintendent of construc-
ton" at 500 per day.
1t is therefore seen that the aldermen
who are not under the thumb of the
MAYOR are very scarce. What next