The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1897-08-26
THE MAYOR SAYS NO.

The city council entered into con-
tract with Hon. Joseph Kraker and
others respecting the BONNER estate,
for the purchase of the old Brewery
property on Main-st and the lake
front for $3.50 cash, and the city clerk
was instructed to draw a city order
for the amount. When the order was
presented to Mayor Townsend for his
signature, he refused to sign, return
ing the order with his written object
tions, which are as follows:
To THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SAUk CENTRE:
Gen6lemen:--i return herewith. un-
signed, city order No. $3.50, for $3.50,
drawn to the order of Joseph Kroker
and others upon the General Fund for
the purchase of the so-called Brewery
property, and it is but just and prop
er that 1 communicate to you fairly
and frankly my reasons for refusing
to sign it.
They are three-fold, and briefly
stated are:
First: The financial condition of the
the expenditure of so large sum of
money, for property which, at best,
only prospective use.
Second: The purchase of the prop
erty, whether for a park. or for pos
sible use in connection with the water
works and electric light plant, will en-
tail a large immediate expenditure for
its proper protection from the action
of the water OF the lake, and an annu-
al expense for maintaining the work
so done. The cost of purchase and
protection will exceed the value of the
property to the city.
Third: do not understand, that the
taxpayers and citizens of the city de-
mand it's purchase, either as site for
public park or for the location of a
future plant for the water works and
electric lights for the city.
While [ recognize the right of the
council to purchase and hold real
estate and personal estate for public
purposes, sufficient for the conven-
fence of the inhabitants, Il am of the
opinion that the property now pro-
posed to be purchased, will not con-
tribute to such convenience. If | am
mistaken in my estimate of the wishes
of the people in this particular, the
only way to correct such mistake is to
submit the proposition to vote of
the inhabitants, which l think should
have been done before any contract
for the purchase had been definitely
agreed upon. If such expression of
the people shall be had, and it is in
favor of purchasing the property re-
ferred to, [ shall place no obstacle in
the way. Believing, as | do, that pub
lie opinion would not justify the ex-
penditure of so large a sum at this
time for this purpose, | am constrained
to return the order unsigned.
Respectfully.
w. ID. TOWNTEND.
Whatever may be thought of the adj
of such purchase, and how
ever much the judgment of the mayor
be criticised; certainly the reasons he
gives are entitled to serious consider
alton. He distinctly declares he will
abide by public opinion when proper
ly ascertained. Let the matter of the
purchase be submitted TO popular
vote. It need not be attended with
any considerable expense. A formal
would not be required, merely
an informal vote, taken upon a given
day, with g, mere registration Of the
names of the voters as they deposited
their ballots. Two inspectors should
be all that would be required, and the
vote would merely serve to satisfy the
city government as to the desires of
the people.