The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-04-14
THEY BID ADIEU.
The Old Council Canvasses the Votes
And Winds up Its Affairs.
Farewell Words by Mayor Willard.

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$50 o'clock. Mayor Willard presided,
and Aids. Hubbard, Longini, Saul
paugh, Peterson and Schlingerman
were present.
The liquor license bonds of Henry
Wolff and A. G. Hartung were ap-
proved and licenses granted.
Mayor Willard stated that the
treasury is overdrawn about So, 300.
The finance committee was author
lied to borrow $500 temporarily.
No committees or officers had any
report to make.
the council then adjourned and
met again after short recess in a
special meeting to canvass the cleo
tion returns. Aid. Fowler soon came
in
The council then proceeded to can
vass the returns, with Aids. Longini
and Peterson as a committee TO keep
tally.
Aid. Schlingerman objected to the
consideration of the First ward re-
port, stating as he understood it the
judges had locked the returns in the
ballot box and had made up new re-
turns from guess work.
City Attorney Young stated that
the council could not go behind the
returns, and that if there was any ir-
regularity back of the returns the
court was the place tC straighten out
the matter. He read a Minnesota
Supreme Court decision in support of
his position, which held that the cam
wasting board is ministerial and not
judicial body. He also quoted the
election law to the same effect, The
council has no evidence before it,
whatever it may know what has oc-
Cured. Anybody has legal remedy
which is easily gotten at. The judges
can be proceeded against for not dc
ing their duty.
Mayor Willard seconded this stand
and supported Mr.. Young's argu-
mentS.
Aid. Peterson thought that the can
vassing board should have right to
ask whether the returns were made
within the lawful time.
Mayor Willard stated that there
was no law specifying any particular
time when the returns should be
made.
Aid. LOnglni asked whether action
could be postponed upon the returns
from the ward in question. Mr.. Young
held that this could be done, but
under the circumstances he held that
the council could not put off the con-
sideratiOn of the returns from this
ward any more than it could in regard
to any other ward.
Aid. Hubbard saw no other course
than to proceed with the canv wasting
of the First ward.
Aid. Schlingerman asked to have
his objection placed on the minutes.
The returns were then canvassed
and were found to be all properly GER
titled to.
The figures are as previously pub
lished in these columns.
The persons having the highest
number Of votes were declared duly
elected, on motion of Aid. Hubbard
The recorder was authorized to issue
the certificates of election.
Mayor Willard thanked the council
sincerely for the courteous manner in
which it had treated him during the
past two years. He had never held
public office before and had come in
green in the business but had endeav-
ored to be fair and impartial. He had
cast deciding votes but two meetings
He could congratulate the council
that there had never been breath of
scandal raised, and all 60 out with
clean hands and skirts and conscien-
ces. There has been some Just criti-
cism. The council had been CRITICS
ed for spending too much money. II
this is so more than usual has been
accomplished and there is something
to show for the money. The streets
are in better condition than two years
ago. There may have been mistakes.
but in the main there has been good,
solid work bone. He regretted that
he had been unable to give more time
to the duties Of the office. If other
people think that they can do better
than has been done they have a
chance to try.
On motion of Aid. Fowler, a vote of
thanks was extended to the mayor for
his fair and courteous treatment of
the council.
Vice President Hubbard was called
upon for speech but did not respond.
The council then adjourned.
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