The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-09-01
MANKATo FREE PRESS.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1. 1898.
VERNON CENTRE, Aug. 80, 1913

tn mn in foundation for the new jail.
He says some of the board osposed IT,
"hecause it would give employment
to Mankato laboring men," Ihls
statement or anything of the KIND is
not true. On the contrary every man
of the board would be glad to see work
90 on anywhere and especially in
MankatO.
There were good reasons as believe
why we should not commence that
work now. He seems to take it that
the plans are suitable and that mem
bers of the board are agreed on them.
Heis mistaken in this. The plans
submitted are good, in fact too good,
and here comes one difficulty. If it
were necessary to pay $50, 900 to S4O,-
600 for new jail we would take these
plans without question.
We want the building to present a
good appearances so all will be proud of
it. We don't care for any eXtravagant
show about 1T. We have given an eX-
preston of our taste and pride in the
court house building, and it strikes
me that is enough. If we put up a
residence about equal to any in the
city, anyone ask for more? Six,to
seven thousand dollars ought to build
aud complete 1T. We visited several
jails and they were all built on the
same general plan. No oDe builds
thick heavy walls to make prisoners
secure. This is done by making iron
or steel cells. At Rochester we found
a very complete jail. We took time
and examined it above and below and
all around, and all were pleased. We
agreed it was best to 60 home and
build one like it. This structure all
complete cost SIC, 000 We have with
out doubt better advantages for build
ing than they have at Rochester for
our stone, brick, lime and cement are
right at hand, and as for labor it is
cheaper now than when they built,
so | would say we can build cheaper
than they did. The secretary of the
State Board of Charities and Correc-
tions, under whose directions we are
compelled by law to build, and who is
an expert, in his report to the legis-
lature on the charitable institutions
of the state, says of the Jail at Roch-
ester, that sit is model for the
counties of the state" and that sit is
thoroughly constructed" Now, the
plans prepared for us contemplate a
building to cost somewhere between
1000 and $40, 900. For my part this
causes me to hesitate. There is very
little difference in the size of what
we need and the Rochester building
am not arbitrary. but it should be
shown to all of US where and how this
extra cost comes in, before We are
asked to vote on the plans l know
the architect has been asked to make
the plans more elaborate and that we
would spend quite large amount OF
money on the building, and the dis
position has been shown to hurry on
the adoption of these plans, and
know that this condition of things
has caused delay.
l would say this, when we are read :,
let Mr.. Gerlar' md the board confer
upon the latter with the view OF
making material reduction in cost
and it ought not to take long to come
TO definite conclusion.
But, there is another reason for de
lay, and that is money. None is being
paid into the treasury now, nor viii
there be until February. The money
on hand should be used for current
expenses, and no new thing should bt
undertaken except we surely have
money to pay for it. We do not wan
10 he obliged to borrow money thes,
times A large part of the money il
the county treasury does not belong
TO The county, but to school districts
towns, principal and interest for par
ties holding bonds, ETC., etc.,-al
subject to pay on demand. Then i
We count up what is ahead of us, unit
we get new taxes, | almost fear W,
shall come in behind anyway.
There are salaries for county officers
the bills of September, November ant
January meetings of the board, tn,
December court expenses, cost OF
criminal cases in city and iustic,
courts. commissioners fees, printers
bills, etc. The first of last Januar,
the county was behind number o
thousands of dollars, but it will no
do to run behind this year as ever,
man wants his money. do not hest
tate one moment to say that we hav
not a dollar that it would ne safe t,
put in a new undertaking. In ordi
nary times it would do, but not unde
present conditions.
Respectfully,
A. M. HANNAY.
Bucklen'S ArnIca SalVe.