The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-11-23
DAILY FREE PRESS.
THE CITY COUNCIL.
Exchange Street Matter
Has Been Referred.
Contractors Who 1t is Alleged Refuse
to Sign the Bonds-City Will Keep
Them off the Street-Want Second
Street Accepted.

of the council was held Saturday even
] ing. Aldermen Fowler, Higgs, Widell,
i Petersen, Bashaw and Pitcher were
present with Mayor Weaver in the
{ chair.
A petition asking for an electric
6 light on Third street and Madison
| avenue was read. 1t was referred to
| the light committee.
Alderman Bashaw, of the committee
on streets and alleys, wanted two
weeks in which to prepare his report.
City Attorney Young stated that
he had not yet heard from the
Milwaukee people in reference to the
removal of the round house from the
street.
Captain Beatty, of the board OF pub
lie works, called the attention OF the
council to contractors bonds. He
said that the Burdick company had
refused to sign, and that the city at
torney had stated that Burdick's posi-
tion is right.
Alderman Bashaw said contractor
could not be compelled to give bond,
but that the city could keep him off
the street.
Mr.. Beatty wanted to know if he
was to understand that the city did
not propose to stand by the board in
this matter.
Alderman Higgs wanted to know
what had been done about the side
walk near the First National bank,
and asked City Engineer Haynes
about it. Mr.. Haynes stated that he
was not aware that a sidewalk had
been ordered.
Alderman Fowler said the build
ings on the proposed grade were old
ones and the city could not accom-
modate them by establishing a new
grade for their exclusive purpose.
There was some discussion about the
unfinished grade on North Second
street. Alderman Bashaw stated that
parties interested had threatened to
sue the city if the place was not soon
repaired.
City Engineer Haynes said the coun-
Gil should take up the matter OF the
canal which Fowler & Pay had cut
across the street. He said the board
had never given them any authority
to dig this ditch.
Alderman Widell said nobody had
any business to occupy the streets.
He was in favor of the only proper
parties occupying them-the city.
The city engineer stated that the
contract would have been accepted
long ago but for the fact that Fowler
& Pay were quarrying the street.
Mr.. Beatty said if the city expected
to propagate the lime and stone in
dustries of the city it must give the
quarrymen, to certain extent, rights
and privileges of occupancy, always,
of course, to be under restrictions not
to interfere with public travel.
Alderman Petersen was willing to
allow the street to be accepted under
the present conditions if the board of
public works was willing.
The city attorney said the council
might accept the street if the consent
of the parties making objections to
the assessment could be secured. The
only way will be to accept the work
with the consent of the property
owners, as it now stands.
Alderman Widell suggested that
the city accept the street and compel
Fowler & Pay to give bond to leave
the street as they found it.
The city engineer said he could not
accept the street in it's present condi-
tion.
Mr.. MaXfield said he was resident
of Second street, and offered to with
draw his objection if the city would
grant him the right to cut cartway
through the street to get dirt with
which to fill his lot. He concluded by
saying that he had not yet paid his
assessment, and didn't propose to do
it until he had to.
He succeeded in provoking a
quantity of laughter from Alderman
Fowler, and the mayor called up the
semi-monthly bills.
The city recorder said he had not
yet presented the final estimates of
the city engineer because the city had
no funds.
Alderman Higgs moved that the
estimate be referred to the board of
public works to be acted upon accord
ing to the charter in the issue of GER
tifcates Of Indebtedness. 1t was car
ried.
Alderman Fowler moved that well
be put down at the hose house in West
Mankato for the use of the chemical
engine. 1t was carried with the un-
Outstanding that the work was to cost
not more than $40.
The city engineer submitted plat
of Monks addition which he asked