The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-04-21
A COLD SLAP IN THE FACE.

do all that lies in his power to BRING
about a change for the better in the
conduct of the affairs of the city, in ac'
cordance with the desires of the people.
His appointments for chief of police,
city engineer and street commissioner
were such as to establish the confidence
of the people in his sincerity, and In
the ability of his appointments to full
fill the duties which devolve upon them.
In arriving at his conclusions Mr.. Cur
rier has not acted hurriedly in the mat
ter, but has listened freely to all who
desired to speak to him in behalf of
any candidate, and has then used his
own best Judgment. His appointment
for chief of police is regarded by those
who know Mr.. Bruels best, to be
most excellent one. He is of strong
character, strictly honest and will
faithfully attend to the duties of his po-
sition. Mr.. S. A Anderson, The new
street commissioner, will make most
excellent man for the place and will,
we believe. conduct the Office in the
most economical manner consistent
with the best interests of the city. He
is possessed of excellent Judgment,
which is prime requisite for that
place.
His third appointment was M. B.
Haynes for city engineer. This was
most excellent selection and one which
meets the approval of large majority
of the people but it did not seem to
meet with the desires of the members
of the council and they most uncere-
moniously turned it down. This is a
direct and unwarranted slap at the
MAYORS prerogative and at once opens
up the question as to whom is response
BILE for appointments any way. This
power by the charter is lodged in the
hands of the mayor, with the approval
of the council. 1t is usual for all legis.
lative bodies, which have the constitu
tioual power lodged in them to approve
of the acts OF the appointive power to
give such approval unless the appOintee
should prove to be totally unfit for the
position named. This cannot be said of
Mr.. HAYNES. No one, not even a mem
Der of the council who voted against
him last evening, we believe, will allege
that he lacks the proper qualifications
for the place, but rather is, in fact, the
best fitted for 1T of any man in the city.
But his qualifications are not question
ed, neither is his personal character,
but it is asserted that he is rather set
in his opinions and as a result there
would be a continual clashing between
him and the council But this is small
matter in which the ublic is not
generally interested. 1t cares far more
in have a man in office who knows how
to conduct it AS to whatever SQUAD
bles that might come up between Mr..
Haynes and the council, there is but lit
tie question that quiet conference or
two between them would tend to settle
all difficulties and reach satisfactory
understanding, and it is an nnquestion-
ed fact that with Mr.. Haynes as city
engineer our sidewalk system would
not be sunk below the water line. nor
canals dug through our best streets in
an attempt to remove grades. But all
this is neither here nor there. The ap-
pointment is one belonging entirely to
the mayor and for which he solely is re-
sponsible, and the council should have
extended to him the courtesy due him
in confirming it, so long as unfitness
could not be alleged, rather than adj
minstering him cold slap in the face.
It'll courtesy extended by all legisla-
tive bodies even though the executive
may differ with them politically, as can
b noted in the case of the state senate
which, though thoroughly Republican,
has extended to Gov. Lind the courtesy
of confirming all of his appointm
The question now is will Mayor Currier
back down from what he has seen to be
his plain duty. or will the council con-
tinue to assume the position of boss and
rob the mayor of his just prerogatives
plainly prescribed by the charter under
which members of the council as well
as the mayor are sworn to uphold.