The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-02-26

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unequal as to demand 1T. 1t rests
with the board to determine whether
the districts are very unequal, and IL
so, the board must make them prac-
tically equal. The supreme court has
never passed upon this. The board
could be compelled through the dis
trict court to redistIict in case OF eX-
treme inequality.
John DrewS, of Sterling, said that
IN his section the people preferred to
remain as they are rather than be
placed in some other district. They
have worked together and desire to
remain with the other towns, but the
plan puts them into another district.
Mr.. Schultz called for reading OF
the population of the districts at
present, and this was done as follows ::
First, 6, 1874; second, 0,l73;third, 4,O2S;
fourth, 1921; fifth, 5,793: total 32,2l9.
Mr.. Schultz favored leaving the
districts as they are, and Mr.. Wlldes
opposed adding any of the city to the
first district, for fear that it might
over balance the country part.
+. NJ. Currier, of the board Of trade
committee, said that the city only
asked for simple Justice. There were
no complaints of unfairness on the
part of the commissioners in the past.
Every man is entitled TO equal repre-
sentation on the board, whether he
owns little or much. The second
district has two and half times the
popula tion of the third district. The
speaker was more interested IL
nancially in the country than in the
city. AL the city wants is justice. The
committee did not favor the third
plan, owing to incompatible interests.
He thought that if the city was diVid-
ed into two districts the population
would in few years equal that OF
the country districts, as the city is
growing more rapidly than the cOun-
try. 1t was thought that the board,
as honorable gentlemen, would dc
what was right and just.
Mark Wildes represented the coun-
try and said that there seemed to be
no call for redistricting. Things are
good enough as they are. The city
has been fairly treated by the board
1t will be time enough to change
when the city cannot get Justice from
the board. No one in the country is
finding fault with the present plan
or sees reasons to change. The com
missioners don't get much and woulc
have long ways.to travel.
President Shoemaker said that the
board had no particular plan in view
out would leave that with the board
The population of the city is greater
than that of the third and fourth dis
tricts combined. All that was want
ed was equalization.
Adam Arnold said that no one wOulC
oppose allowing the city two commits
sOners. There would be objection tt
having three commissioners from the
city, as was wanted year ago.
Mr.. Shoemaker said that the city
never asked for three commissioners
n. S. Mullen, Of Mapleton, favored
waiting until the city has the popula
tion for two commissioners. He wa'
satisfied that his people would be op
posed to the plans.
VIM. Schultz, of Garden City, oI
posed a change, on account of the la.
or the land, different interests, trade
centers, ETC., which he thought were
J more important than population. The
people were not jealous of Mankato
but to disarrange the present line
would bring in disturbing elements
The city had better bear the burden
little longer until it has the popula
tion for two commissioners, even if it
neck is little sore.
G.. W. Daily, of Mapleton, said tina
he could not see where there was an,
injustice done to anyone. He hOpet
that the country would back him up
and was sorry that Mr.. Currier hal
left the country.
Mr. Currier said that he advocated
redistricting on the principles o
justice.
Mr. Wildes said that he had heart
no one but Mankato people wanting
a change. Mankato will carry the frs
district.
Mr.. Drews opposed a change.
Mr.. Currier asked how he would b
satisfied in case his district had 600
population and the city 1000.
Mr.. Schultz favored leaving goo'
! enough alone. A commissioner havin
10, 600 compact can look after them a
easily as one who has 400 or 80
: scattered over four OF five miles. FL
did not see what benefit it would b
, to the city.
Mr.. Shoemaker said that Mankat
& had paid one-third of the taxes an,
helped pay for all the iron bridges il
the county.
Mr.. Arnold thought that the bridge