The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-03-06

Wnen Une aldermen got UOgeJner
last night for the special meeting,
Vice President Petersen asked
whether it was their desire to have a
meeting. He did not see what could
be accomplished, in view of recent
developments, and did not want to
shoulder any censure that might fol-
low on account of the expense of the
extra meeting.
Aid. Andrews thought that the
time had come when the council
ought to do something to settle the
light question. 1t had gotten all the
information and offers that it could,
and was as ready to act now as at any
time.
Aid. Zimmerman said that his mind
was made up as to what the city
ought to do, as it always had been.
Aid. Lille thought that nothing
had been ascertained yet concerning
Watkins which ought to discourage
the council. The city would never
get better offer.
Aid. Petersen had vote taken on
the question of holding the meeting,
and several affirmative votes were
cast, the other aldermen remaining
silent.
When Vice President Petersen called
the meeting to order, all of the alder
men were present. After the minutes
of the last meeting had been read and
approved, Mr.. Petersen stated that
the object of the meeting was to con-
slider the electric franchise PROPOSE
tions. The telegram and letter re-
ceived by Aid. Andrews from L. e.
Watkins were read, as already pub
lished in these columns.
On motion of Aid. Lille, the cor
respondence was received and placed
on file. Mr.. Lille called upon Engi-
neer Haynes for the letter which he
had received from Madison, Ind, and
it was read
Aid. Andrews made report of his
telegram and letter to Mr.. Watkins,
and wanted to know from the city at
torney whether that was legal &C
ceptance of the proposition. Mr.. Pau
was not present, and policeman was
sent to ask him to come to the meet
ing.
City Recorder Smith said that he
had sent Watkins a map at once after
the last meeting, and it should have
reached him before he wrote the last
letter.
Aid. Petersen said that a man
wanted to buy the hose houses which
get rid of them so as to tax the lots
again.
Aid Adams said that Chief Phil
lips had told him that the two hose
houses on Front street are no longer
needed. The matter was left with
the committee on city property to sell
them to the highest bidder.
Aid. Andrews said that the plum
bers' license is so high that it keeps
out all but a few who can afford to pay
500. This was an injustice, as young
plumbers cannot set up in business.
The city might as well tax carpenters
to keep out others. He believed in
patronizing home industries, but as
the license now is it is unjust. A
smaller license might be charged, and
a bond of 81, 900 required, to ensure
good work.
AID Bradley endorsed this, and
thought that lower license would
secure more competition, while the
citys interests could be protected in
other ways. The matter was dropped
here without action.
City Attorney Pau had arrived by
this time, and Aid. Andrews put his
question to him. Mr., Pfau said that
the council may have accepted the
proposition, but that no binding con-
tract had been made, or would be I'M
4 til a written contract was made,
signed by the mayor. The same ques-
| tion had arisen some time ago with
the local company. Under the word
1 ing of the charter, he did not think