The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-12-11
BOARD OF TRADE APPRECIATES
OMAHA IMPROVEMENTS.
A Banquet and Reception Will be
rendered the Officials if They Will
Name Date--Committee Instructed
to Prepare Resolutions Expressing
the Appreciation of our People at
the Improvement.

trade was held Monday to hear a
report from the special committee ap.
pointed to formulate plan for re-
ception and banquet to be rendered
officials of the Omaha road as marx
of appreciation of the improvements
made in this city.
Chairman Andrews read a report ID
which banquet TO cost So plate, 1oI
two hundred people. including one
hundred and fifty citizens and fifty Of
ficials of the different roads, was
recommended, in case the officials
could be present.
Geo. L. Barr stated that he had re-
ceived an unofficial intimation from
an Omaha official who did not desire
to be quoted that the officials would
undoubtedly be unable to be present.
He moved that the committee be III
structed to draw up resolutions eX-
pressing the appreciation OF our peo-
pie at the completion Of the improve
ment, and informing them that the
board would be glad to offer a more
substantial testimonial in the shape
of reception aud banquet in case the
officials will name date when they
can be present.
DR.. Andrews spoke of the desire
ability of banquet and said that
Mankato has hotel which it is proud
of. He said that probably in the near
future train would stop in Mankato
for dinner. The Northwestern road
would push through the city before
many years and then there will be
many daily trains stopping at the de-
pot. Mankato has a good future in
reference to the railroads.
Mr.. Barr said that he had reason to
believe tn 1t the Omaha officials would
prefer that the idea OF the reception
and banquet be dropped, as they do
not like that sort of thing and are too
busy.
Jno. n. Hall expressed fear that
the officials coul not be gotten here.
j. A. Willard said that very few of
the officials whom it was desired to
have here would come. They would
send the sub-officials.
John Klein did not favor the Idea
of banquet on so extensive scale as
was proposed. He was in favor of d
''jubilee" but not ''spree." He
wanted the business men to get to-
gether and jollify over the improve
ment, and would invite the officials to
this. He did not believe in flattering
the railroad companies or their chief
officials, as what they had done had
been done as a matter OF business.
They always look out for their own
interests first. He said that the Of
fcials have a good banquet every day,
and thought that it would be hard to
sell $50 tickets to such a banquet as
was proposed.
+. M. Currier said that he had at
first favored the idea of a banquet,
but had changed his mind in view of
all the circumstances. He thought
that the main reason why the officials
do not like banquets is that they
do not like to be placed under obliga-
tiOns to city.
The motion made by Mr.. Barr was
carried unanimously after some
further debate, and the board ad-
journed. The committee will report
resolutions at the meeting next Mon
day morning.
The general sentiment of all was in
favor of banquet if the officials will
come to it.