The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-09-08

The City Recorder Will Hereafter issue
Interest Bearing Orders in Pay
ment of Local Bills.
No Public neeting Will Be Held, bu'
Committe Is Appointed to LOOK
After Idle LabOrers.

All of the aldermen were present at
Saturday nights meeting of the conn
Gil, and Mayor Weaver presided.
A communication was received re-
ferring to an alleged case of reckless
bicycle riding, but the writer did not
care 10 sign his name to it for some
reason.
The matter was discussed at consld-
cradle length and several aldermen
spoke of the fast riding of some OF the
bicyclists on the sidewalks. The mat
ter was finally referred to the commit
tee on ordinances to bring in an
amendment to the present ordinance.
The street railway company pre-
sented a communication accepting
the amendment to the ordinance eX-
tending the time for putting IN an
electric railway.
Aid. Higgs, from the ways and
means committee, reported that but
little money had been borrowed and
how to pay the bills is becoming
serious question. 1t is probable that
but little money can be borrowed
from the banks for awhile. He re-
viewed the figures heretofore present.
ed. If all the Indebtedness is paid,
the interest coupons due in three
weeks cannot be paid. Time orders,
bearing per cent interest, due JAM
1st or June 1st, can be issued and paid
in the city, which will be taken by
store keepers, and eventually come
back into the treasury. The outside
bills could then be paid in cash. EN-
ployment could also be given to more
workmen. We must also keep suffi-
Gent money on hand to pay interest
coupons, and not default on interest.
The city attorney stated that these
orders would be legal for the debts al
eady contracted, but that no one
could be forced to take them. They
would amount to pIomissory notes or
the city. An Injunction upon the city
would probably stand.
Aid. Higgs stated that the legality
of the measure should not be scrute-
nized too closely as the community
would uphold the measure in the
present condition of affairs. Perhaps
in few weeks the banks would begin
to pick them up. When we can go out
and borrow money, we can stop lssu-
ing orders. Eau Claire has adopted
the plan.
J. A. Willard was called upon for
his opinion ard stated that II the
debts could be paid in any KIND OF
paper there would be no illegallty
about it. The city has borrowed
money from the banks for wears. The
city cannot go on and contract new
debts and pay them in this way. lie
thought that the city's debtors would
rather take this paper than bring
suit. The bonds and interest should
not be defaulted in any event, and
money should be kept on hand to en-
sure this.
Gen. E. M. Pope stated that he ap-
proved of the sentiments expressed.
AID. Riggs moved that all orders to
be made out hereafter by the recorder
shall bear interest at s per cent, due
July 1st, 1894, interest to cease then,
and to be paid for. all debts except
those due to outside parties and
freight bills. Present outside orders
are to be exchangable for these orders
The orders may be drawn in such
fractional parts as the payee desires
This was unanimously carried.
The chief of police reported four
teen arrests during August.
The monthly report of the cit5
treasurer was received.
Health Officer Jacoby reported that
the health of the city is good, except
three cases of diptheria, one of scarla
tina. apd one of measles. The neeo
of a quarantine hospital has been EN-
phasized during the past week. All
outside case of diptheria being cared
for now will cost the city $50 to $lOO
Small poX is epidemic in various
places and case may come in any
day.
The committee of the Board OF
Trade, through J. A. Willard recon-
mended that it would not be eXpedi
ent at this time to hold public
meeting to consider the giving OF
work to laboring men. The city is
not in condition to undertake new
work, and if it were and it became
noised abroad that there was work
here, numbers of people looking for d
soft snap would come in. There is a
promise of better times in the neal
future.
DR.. Andrews stated that investiga-
tion showed that the reports of labor.
ing men out of employment in the
city had been greatly exaggerated. 1t
was his idea that it might be well tc
appoint committee to see what &C.
ton, if any, was necessary to supply