The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-04-12
street Improvement.

Ol1CCL
The subject of paving or macadam-
iZing streets is prominent one. Our
streets are in very bad condition, and
no one denies the necessity for such
an improvement. You will recOllect
however the country is passing
through themost critical financial era
of this century and every condition
should be weighed carefully before
imposing upon property owners an
other burden they must submit to if
you so decide. / have full confidence
in your Judgment and leave the mat
ter in your hands.
The two night watchmen known as
merchant police, are employed on
Front street and are paid by the city
$50 per month. The balance they are
compelled to collect of the business
men upon their beats.
The amount they get in all PROBABLE
itysequals the salary of the city watch
men, but it is paid them in small
amounts irregularly and is very I'M
satisfactory to them. 1t confines
them exclusively to their beats and
we have only partial control. We
have no authority to direct them
away from their regular beats no
matter what emergency arises.
We would for the good Of the SER
vice change them occasionally if al
| lowed to do so. You will observe
business men are doubly taxed. Last
year a petition was presented praying
| the city to put these men regularly
upon the pay roll and assume full
| charge over them, which was denied.
tho ait " UOll16 no l.
ed upon to assume by this action
would be 5000. | leave it to you-use
your own judgment.
Market
Our city has grown to such proper
tiOns, a thing so unsightly as mar
ket upon its principal streets should
not exist. 1t is menace to health
and property. Annoying to OcCu-
pants and unSightly. 1t should be
by all means removed. l respectfully
recommend this to your very careful
and early consideration, sincerely hop
ing more suitable, convenient, and
permanent location can be found.
Fire Alarm System.
There has been established and now
in perfect operation a fire alarm syS-
tenn known as the GameWell-which
is of incalculable benefit to our city
as a safeguard. This was one of our
recommendation two years ago, and
urgently demanded by the firemen, as
they were ready to pay One-half the
expense, which they did.
No prOperty-Owner and good citizen
can afford to find fault with it's estab-
liShment.
Fire Department.
Our volunteer fire department, I'M
der such management as Chief Phil
lips, First Assistant Fricke, Second
Assistant G. Williams, merits far
more than complimentary notice.
The city has experienced during the
past year practically very little loss
over and above insurance, viz: Total
aggregate loss, 81, 900. This amount
includes an estimate of $751; for the
G.. & N. w elevator and contents. In
surance realized, S25,375; showing
actual net loss of S15,625.
The department was called out 4S
times, and now that we have the
alarm system, [ confidently believe
our losses will be greatly reduced, as
all the heavy losses were suffered be-
fore the system was established.
The total salaries paid for mainten-
ance of our system is 5000. Chief,
$3.50; each assistant, $75. To each of
the four companies $3.50. They all
spend great deal more time, destroy
more clothing, and suffer more physi-
cally than these small amounts can
make up for. The inevitable out
come is loss of interest and a change.
They have resorted to selling tickets,
giving dances and other ways of rails
ing m ,ney with which to replace fire
clothing and pay for and keep up the
two elegant wagons they have furn-
iShed with their own money.
While it may not seem quite in line
with economy, beg to be allowed the
following suggestion, which | believe
will be for the benefit of property
owners:
Increase the chiefs salary to. >. $500
Increase the first assistant to-. l25
Increase the second assistant to-. 100
Increase pay of each company to. 200
This latter will stop the sale of
tickets and annoyance to merchants.
The lire boys are valiant band, and
they will appreciate what we do for
them and redouble their efforts to
help US.
Sibley Park.
In my message of two years ago the
immediate improvement of Sibley
park was recommended. We have ex-
pended upon these grounds the past
season 1888. All unsightly matter
has been removed and beauty spot
already created. Further improve
ments will be made out of funds pro,
vded and now on hand for park pur-
poses, and it is my desire to ultimately
see parks in other portions of the city
equally attractive.
Quarantine Hospital.
Pursuant to urgent demand two
years ago, there has been established
quarantine hospital. This seemed
necessary precaution, as the small