The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-01-10
MANKATO'S NEEDS
Were Discussed in an Interest
ina, Practical Manner.
The Great Lack of Public Spirit.
Other Things More Readily OBJ
tanned, if That Abounds.


tanned, if That Abounds.
The attendance at the Social Science
club Tuesday evening was not as large
as usual, owing doubtless to misunder-
standing by which members were not
personally notified of the same, but an
interesting meeting developed never
theless. The subject for the evening
was "The Needs of Mankato. The
paper was to have been read by A. E.
Clark and the discussion led by VIM.
N. Plymat, but both gentlemen were
obliged to be out of the city and as re-
suit President Cooper called upon sew
eral gentlemen beforehand to be pre-
pared to take up and discuss the sub
ject. Fl. A. Patterson started the ball
rolling by reading brief paper in
which he pointed out many of the
more important needs of the city, chief
of which he thought was closer COM
munity of interests feeling in every
thing that pertains to our city. This
idea was taken up later by other
members of the club and more thor
oughly discussed, the idea prevailing
that there is not that public spirit ex-
listing here, which ought to prevail for
the best interests Of the city. Greater
cooperation of all bsuiness men and
citizens generally would result in
greater benefits, greater prosperity
and greater growth for the city. Our
people get together now and then on a
proposition and push it, but the idea
expressed that this public spirit
should at all times be dominant ready to
take up any practical idea for the good
of the town and carry it to success.
Among the needs of Mankato to
which attention was called during the
evening we're: Better freight rates.
both in and out; the paving of our
principal business and residence streets
and Improvement of all others; rapid
transit, also lines into the country /;
better roads into the country the Gull
tivation of greater public spirit. At
tention to those things which beautify
the city, such as the narrowing of the
driveways in resident portion, and
boulevarding the remainder of the
street, and making parkway of it.
1t was here suggested that the boule-
Yards be put under the supervision of
the park superintendent, who shall
look after its improvement so as to
secure uniformity, and also take care
of such as the owners do not, and the
cost thereof to be charged up to the
owners of the lots so taken care of and
collected with their taxes
The growth of the educational inter
ests were alluded to, and the value of
the many students who come here to
attend the normal and the commercial
school commented on, not only as to
the financial feature, but also as to
the advertising they give the city or
their return home. Instances of this
latter feature were cited. 1t was said
that Mankato does not pay the atten-
tion to students that the people of
many educational centers do. and that
more for their entertainment should
be done. 1t would bring large returns
Attention was also called to the neces
sity of locking after small Things.
Small factories and institutions of
various kiRds should not be despised
but on the other hand greatly encour-
aged. They often grow to consider
aole size. We should at all times avoid
getting those things which will trou,
BILE us to maintain. Caution should
always be taken, practical matters
only brought to the front, and in this
way confidence will be encouraged or
the part of all citizens. 1t was also
the prevalent opinion that one of Man
kato's great and pressing needs was
live commercial club, which would
at all times cooperate with the work
of the board of trade, or with any
other citizens, and the opinion was
expressed that with such club rightly
handled, a healthy public spirit would
be fostered and many things in the
way of pablic advancement made easy.
While the drift of the discussion
took the commercial trend, the mera
views of the question was net entirely
overlooked, but several features Cen.
nected Herewith were commented
upon.
The next meeting of the club viii
be, held ON Tuesday evening, Jan. 21st,
when Prof. c. f. Net&leton will read
|, a paper on 1.-The Effects of the Com
petition of Women in Business and In
dustry'' and w. L. Comstock will lead
the discussion.
NEIL cT0ckEn IIp