The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-05-31

THE Minneapolis Tribune had a long
article Friday calling attention to the fact
that the burning of the Norwegian Luth-
eran College at DEBORAH, Iowa, raises
the question of the possible removal of
that institution to Minnesota, change
which has long been wished for by the
leading Norweglans of the Northwestern
states. The great obstacle in the way of
such a removal was the existence of vel
liable property interests at DEBORAH
which could not be transferred. The
largest portion of the property was rep
resented by the building which has just
been destroyed by fire. All that re-
mains is several small buildin gs of small
value and the grounds, about 40 acres,
worth in the neighborhood of $3.50 per
acre.
The Tribune is very anxious that a
move should be made to secure the To-
cation of the college at Minneapolis in
case change Is made. Among other
reasons for the probability of the insti-
The college was originally located at
DEBORAH shortly alter the war, about 80
years ago, when that place was situated
at about the center of the scandinavian
settlements, and before the future de-
velopment of the territory farther west
could be anticipated. Ever since the
establishment of the institution at De-
corah, the Scandinavian settlements
hnnr, N Tnfn ~ n >
west in Minnesota and Dakota. AS q
matter of fact the Scandinavian ele-
ment has decreased, if anything, in
Iowa, and made very little change in
Wisconsin, while the increase in Mime
sofa and Dakota has been several hun
dred per cent.
The location and government of the
school are under the control of the Nor
wegian Lutheran synod of the North
west. This general synod is divided in
to three districts, known as the Mime
sofa, Wisconsin and Iowa districts. 1he
general synod meets once in three
years, while the district synods meet an
nuelly. The Iowa and Wisconsin syn
DDS are now in session, and the Mime
sofa synod will convene at Fergus Falls
next Thursday, May 30, while the gen.
eral synod does not meet until next
year. The question of the rebuilding
and the removal of the college will be
among the most important matters to
come before the district meetings, but
it is not certain that they can arrive al
any conclusion, in which case it will be
necessary TO call meeting of the gener.
al synod. 1t is not believed that the ac-
ton of synods could be binding unless
it was unanimous in all of the districts.
In case there was division of senti.
ment the general body would have to
decide bv majority vote.
There is no doubt that Minneapolis as
we'll as other points will make strong
effort to secure the college. 1t is un.
necessary to state that here is an oppor.
tunity which Mankato should not let 20
unheeded. This city has every alvan.
tage in its favor that can be urged fol
any other point. The institution will
be most valuable one for the city that
secures it and Mankato should be thai
place. 1t will doubtless take prompt
measures and generous action, and the
city has chance to show whether its
claims to energy and enterprise are well
founded. No multitude of words are
needed to convince our business mer
and citizens that the addition ofthis col
lege to the city's institutions would be 6
great source of profit and give an impe'
tus to Mankato which would easily put
her at her rightful place as the largest
city in the south half of the state.
Let it be speedily known what moves
are needed and then let the work be
done quickly.