The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-10-04

All of the aldermen except Aid.
Bradley were present at the special
meeting of the council Friday night,
and Mayor Weaver presided.
An application fora liquor license
was received from John Miller and
Jacob Leib, and Oct. 10Th was the
date set for the hearing of objections,
if any.
A petition was received from six
East Mankato property owners asking
that Marsh street be extended to
Dane street. This was referred to the
street committee.
Apetition for an arc light on Agency
Hill, near the Shaubut cut, was re-
ceived from Geo. H. Clark, resident
director of the Normal school. This
was referred to the lighting COM
mittee.
City Engineer Haynes reported that
$3.50 would be required to do the grad
ing petitioned for on the Silver ravine
road.
Aid. Zimmerman moved that the
work be ordered done by contract I'M
der the direction of the board Of pub
lie works, the cost to be limited to
$3.50. This was carried.
Engineer Haynes brought up the
matter of raising the sidewalks on
Hickory street between Second and
Third, and it was referred to the street
committee.
Aid. Andrews suggested that unless
something was done, East Cherry
street, east of Fifth street, would be
claimed by somebody.else by adverse
possession. Engineer Haynes thought
the idea an excellent one, and that
the city will need it sometime. Several
aldermen did not know that it was
regularly laid out street. This mat
ter was referred to the city attorney
and city engineer The matter of the
porch of the Halfhill house in West
Mankato being in the street was SIM
ilarily referred.
The first estimate of $500 was al
lowed to Jacob Effer on his Hickory
street contract.
Aid. Andrews called attention to
the fact that large sum is owing the
city on back assessments for improve
ments, and asked whether anything
had been done to collect them.
Engineer Haynes said that many of
them had been put into judgments on
the property. Mayor Weaver said
that many had not been so placed. On
motion of Aid. Zimmerman, the mat
ter was referred to the committee on
claims and accounts. 1t was stated
that it is the duty of the treasurer to
attend to this.
Needs Investigation.
Aid. Andrews stated that he had
been looking over the books of the
board of public works and found that
permits for water have been granted
and water used by parties and no rec
ord made of it or charges made. City
Recorder Smith stated it is the duty
of the plumbers to report where con-
ncctions have been made.
Aid. Lille stated that he knew of
water being used for year or more by
people who were willing and anxious
to pay for it, but no charges were ever
made. He gave two instances of well
known citizens who have had water
for a year or more with no record or
charge made. How many more there
were, he did not know.
Aid. Peterson said that if the Ii
censes are taken away from the
plumbers who fail to report the mat
ter will be solved.
Aid. Adams made complaint of
plumbers laying pipes without inspec-
tion, causing frequent tearing up OF
streets If reports are not made he
would have the licenses revoked.
The Seance Begins.
This ended the general business,
and the electric light matter was
taken up. Pref Shepardson was pres
emit, and was called upon to explain
the matter of a compound non-con-
densing engine provided for in the
specifications, as to whether it should
not be condensing engine.
Prof. Shepardson said that he had
endeavored to bring the cost OF the
plant as near to the bond issue as pos
-sible, and to have the plant in such
shape that it can be added to from
time to time. He had thought to
leave the condenser out until more
power was needed from the plant.
Since making the specifications, he
had learned of cheaper condenser