The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-04-05
A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Or the City Of MankatO, From April H. '9Sy to April
1901 Showing the Difference i'm ExtravaSant
and Economical Handling ct Monies.
CLEAR CUT STATEMENT OF ACTUAL FACTS

receipts and disbursements of the city
for the first and second two year
periods. For the first two years above
noted the aggregate receipts of the city
were $3.50. 455. SO. The expenditures
were $22S, 727. IL, leaving a balance of
81, 72S. 43.
During the last two year period the
aggregate receipts were 5000, 291. 80
and the disbursements were $175, S61. =
II, leaving q balance of S26, 430. 70.
1t will thus be seen that with an in
come over $2S, 00G smaller there was a
surplus of over 500, 430.72 as against
slightly over 81, 700 for the first two
year period. Nor is this all. In ad-
dition to the larger income during the
first two year period andits practically
full expenditure, the floating indebt-
edness of the city was increased from
$33, 300. 90 to S57, 72S. 05 ca more than
1924, 900. When we ado to this the
1922, 315 90 that has been paid during
the past two years we find that the
figures stand nearly $47, 900 in favor
of the past two years or nearly one-half
of the city's income for 1899.
This is showing that certainly
furnishes food for reflection for every
taxpayer in the city.
Now the Free Press does not hold
that Mr. Petersen is solely responsible
for this lavish expenditure of the peo-
pies money during the period from
April 1897 to April 1899, in which
nearly $50, 900 more Of the people s
money was spent for aity purposes
than during the past two years. But
it does hold that occupying the posi-
ton he did as chairman of the ways
and means committee, together with
the influential position he occupied in
the council, as its vice president and
prominent in other committees, that
had he exerted his influence in behalf
of economy as has Aid. Meyer during
his two years on the council, the story
of the first two year period above
given could have been and probably
would have been, entirely different.
Now in view of his public record on
the council from 1897 to 1899 in which
the public funds were lavishly ex-
pended, and the floating debt increased
some $24 900 in addition, what is
there to warrant the people in the be-
lief that his record in aE.e. matter of
economy would De any diIferent as
mayor? During all the time the debt
jumped from $27, 225. 70 70 $57, 1913. 03
J Mr.. Petersen was on the council and
his influence would have done much
to have prevented this increase had he
exerted it in that direction.
AS a matter of fact the mayor
atty contest stands between Mr.. Peter
sen and Mr.. Meyer. Which one does
the taxpayer wish to endorse? The one
who helped to spend all of the city s
funds and increase the debt Of the city
over $24, 900 during two year period
as shown above, or the man who stood
in the council for the past two years
and threw all his influence in favor of
economy in public expenditures, who
closely and carefully scanned every
item of public expense, and who by
his influence helped to save surplus
of over $40, 600 out of a smaller public
income and so pay off over $22, 600 of
the city's Indebtedness?
If faithful public service in this re-
spect is rewarded as it should be, A.
G. Meyer will be elected mayor next
Tuesday by large plurality.