The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-02-14

At the meeting of the Board of
Trade Monday John Klein pre-
sented the members box of cigars,
thus fulfilling his promise of last
spring that if the Omaha track re-
moval matter went through he would
give box OF cigars, being then scepti-
cal as to the success of the move. He
said that the presentation Of this box
give him the greatest possible pleas
ure.
The first business was commune
cation of the Mankato Century Club
asking the cooperation of the board
toward securing good roads conven-
tion for Blue Earth county.
Dr. Andrews referred to the need of
better roads, and said that while the
discussion in regard to markets had
done more harm than good, as he had
Ieason TO know, nothing could be
done of greater benefit to the city and
country than the securing OF good
roads.
NJ. G.. Willard thought that the
move coming from the organized
bodies of the city might antagOnize
the farmers, and there might be the
same sentiment as on the buyer ques-
tion.
III. B. Haynes heartily endorsed
what DR.. Andrew VS. had said, and said
that tothing would be of SO much be-
netit to the city and country as the
improvement of the roads.
JnO. n. Hall said that he believed
that county convention would
stimulate the feeling in favor of good
roads. The latter would be more
important to the city than electric
cars. 1t is one of the best features of
wheel riding that the good roads
agitation has been started. 1t is
general over the country. If Manka-
to could spend $4,000 or $4,000 to
secure good roads out of the city it
would be wise and profitable invest
ment There is nothing that we can
work for that would do mJre good.
Geo. L. Barr thought that it would
be pest TO have the move started
from the various paris of the county,
as Mr.. Wizards point had merit.
G. IL. Austin said that the spas
mOdic arrangement for putting man
on the market never met his approval.
He saw no reason to comp ain of the
retail business, as he had noticed an
Improvement during the last six
weeks. He thought that good roads
were most needed, and it would be a
grand investment if the roads all
around would be improved. The spas
modic action in regard to markets
has caused d great deal of injury to
the city.
JnO. Klein thought that much has
already been done in regard to good
roads. around the city, but not enough
has been done by the townships
e. f. Soaring explained what the
Century Club expected that the move
would accomplish, and favored the
contract system over the present one,
and DR.. Follman held that there
would have to be a change in the
system Of road Improvement from the
present before much good could be
accom- iished. OJher members took
the same view.
The communication was then for
mally received and placed on file.
Geo. L Barr offered the following
resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Board Of
Trade declares itself in full sympathy
with any movement to secure better
roads Tor the county in general, and
that To this end the president is au-
thorized TO appoint committee Of
three 10 cooperate with similar COM
mittees from other bodies or other
parts of the county on such move
ment."
President Shoemaker appointed
Geo. t. Barr, M. b, Haynes aud FL. p.
Jensen as a committed
The committee on legislation,
through Mr.. Barr, reported on the
memorial for the improvement of
the Mississippi channel from ST
LOUIS TO Vicksburg, that the benefit
to Tie Northwest would be at least
Indirect and not equal TO the impor-
tance of lake navigation, and recon-
mended that nothing be done. This
report Was adopted.
The committee on union depot,
through Chairman Andrews, present.
ed a report. A letter from President
Roswell Miller, of the Milwaukee,
said that his company receives little