The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-08-07
misunderstood.

| While large majority OF the papers
of the state express favorable COM
ment on the suggestion for an extra
session of the legislature (the MEM
beers to serve without pay or mileage)
few of our exchanges seem to Who'll
ly .misapprehend some of the features
contained in the FREE PRESS article
af recent date.
The Lake Crystal Union for instance,
opposes an extra session because, it
says, it would cost the taxpayers $685.
900 or $4,000 in addition to any appro-
priation it might make. The Union
should know that the suggestion for
an extra session was based upon the
express understanding that no expense
achoterer should attach to- the attendance
of members. The FREE PRESS is total
| ly opposed to converting the legisla-
ture unless the members will agree to
this provision.
When the thought of an extra ses-
sion occurred to this paper it was
brought out by the fact that addi-
tional and needed money could be
much more easily and satisfactorily
secured in this way than by any other
means, besides being the most equita-
BILE and feasible plan. 1t was our idea
then and is now that great prepon-
derance of the people of Minnesota
fully appreciate that $4,000 is entire
ly inadequate for the needs demand
ed for such an exhibition of our states
resources as should be made, and a
patriotic sentiment prevails that adj
ditional money should be secured.
How this can best be done and how
the easiest borne is question of no
little concern.
The ST. Cloud Times favors the sug-
gestion if there be no legal obstruc-
tions to the plan, but wants to know
what method canbe adopted by which
the members will pledge themselves
to serve without per diem or mile
age?" If it is thought best to make
an effort to get the legislature. togeth-
er let there be petition sent out to
the Governor something after this
manner, signed by the members. "We
the undersigned members of the leg
islature, respectfully petition the
Governor of Minnesota to call spec
ial session of that body for the pur-
pose of an appropriation to the Worlds
Fair fund from the state. We agree
to serve at such special session with
out mileage or per diem, and further
agree to oppose the introduction or
discussion of any question of whatso-
ever kind
If majority of the house and SEN
ate will sign such petition no one
need to apprehend but the provisions
will be strictly carried out, and all
obstacles to a successful and meritori-
Gus exhibit at the Worlds Fair in '93
removed. Every man interviewed is
heartily in favor of the project, and
large number of the members of the
legislature have expressed themselves
likewise. For this and other reasons
it has been suggested that among the
delegates to the convention in St.
Paul on the 18th good representation
of members of the legislature would
be desirable, so that fair expression
on the subject could be had.
1t is said by few so-called econo-
mists, that the state spent less than
$50, 900 at the New Orleans exposition
and this sum should suffice for the
Worlds Fair. 1t is true that the
state spent something over $40, 900 at
the New Orleans fair, but this, as
compared with the great fair of '93
would be like sizing up a county
pumpkin show with the state fair.