The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-01-26
LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT

There was an unusually full meet
ing of theBoardof Trade Mondaymorn-
ing, nearly every member being in
his seat.
W. B., Craig's bill for stone used in
the construction of the Mankato foun-
tain exhibited at the worlds fair was
allowed
Gen. Pope made a report concern
ing the work Of the transportation
committee of the old board, including
the meeting at St. Paul last Tuesday,
DIS already published in these columns.
j. N. Hall did not want to bring on
a discussion, but suggested that the
board take action looking to having
the electric light service continued
until the bids are received, as other
wise there promised TO be much sneak
thieving. AS discussion seemed
likely to follow, he withdrew the sug-
gestion.
John Klein opposed the suggestion,
thinking that the people would ap-
preciate lights after having dark
nights for awhile. He expressed him
self as being in favor of the city own
ing the electric lights, and thought
that the matter should be discussed
by the board, as he did not want two
or three men in the council to run the
city, He thought that the board rep
resented the business interests of the
city and should have a voice in the
matter.
M. e. Willard suggested that the
aldermen were chosen by the people
to legislate for the city and that the
board could have no authority in the
matter.
President J. A. Willard gave the
memb ers of the board some very SEN
sible advice, regarding their keeping
their heads in considering the mat
ter. He urged that not only all the
members, but all business men, should
keep their heads. 1t was plain that
much passion had been injected into
the matter, which ought not to be, as
the question is most important one,
and should be considered merely in
the light of a business proposition,
laying prejudice and personal feelings
aside. There are many things to be
considered about the electric light
question, and the members should
wait until the evidenceis all in before
forming final judgments. 1t would
be unfortunate if the matter were de-
cided in passion and without duly
weighing all the circumstances that
ought to come into the consideration
of the case. The council has adver-
tised for bids, and the members should
be careful not to PREJUDICE before these
are known, as they may have an i'm
portant bearing on the final decision.
All business men and tax PAYERS want
to consider the matter thoroughly, on
account of it's great Importance.
Geo. Barr suggested that special
committee be appointed to investigate
the subject and make report for the
sole use of the board.
Gen. Pope commended, President
Wizards advice, and said that the
matter is business proposition and
should be considered without preju-
dice, and craftsmanship and personal
feeling should be laid aside. He
favored Senator Barr's suggestion.
Mr.. Barr moved that the president
appoint at his leisure special COM
mittee of three to gather all possible
facts in connection with electric street
lighting and lay them before the
board, and not to give the report to
the public until the board has re-
ceved it and votes to disclose it. This
was carried without opposition.
The board adjourned.