The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-05-23
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to the commercial welfare of the COM
munity, and be it further
Resolved, That while Mr. Meagher
is taxpayer, he is not resident of
the city of Mankato. and it is our
firm belief that he has been guided in
his unpatriotic attempt to thwart the
will of the people through desire to
protect the monopoly 80 long held by
the Mankato Gas & Electric Light
company, and not through any virtu-
GUS motive to protect the interests of
the taxpayers as he AYERS and be it
further
"Resolved, That we pledge to the
Mankato and st. Peter Railway and
Lighting company, it's successors and
assigns our united and hearty support
in fulfilling every agreement entered
into by the mayor and common coun-
Gil and most sincerely urge its officers
to proceed with the work, to the end
that the honor and credit of both par
ties to the contract may remain I'M
sullied. We unite in enthusiastic de-
nunciation of any attempt to nullify
the verdict of this community as ex-
pressed by the common council in
granting the railway franchise and
electric lighting contract, and be it
further
"Resolved, That we request of
John B. Meagher and any other par
| ties associated with him, the immedi-
ate withdrawal of the injunction pro-
ceeding, thereby enabling the people
of this community to exercise their
prerogatives, unhampered by individ-
uals and interests that have always
been treated with courtesy and gener-
osity by the city of Mankato. -
Mr.. Comstock moved the adoption
of the resolutions, and this vas car
ried unanimously by rising vote.
| DR.. Andrews presented the following
resolutions:
1.-THE Mankato Gas and Electric
were paid $115 per arc light, and
descents; for another term of years
800 per arc light $4,000 candle power),
and q proportionatley high rate, for
incandesoents for another term of
years $74 per arc light, and a proper
tionately high rate for incandescents
for lighting the streets of Mankato.
The business men and residents Of
Mankato have literally patronized
said company in the purchase from
them of electricity for lighting pur-
poses, and gas for Illuminating and
heating.
1.-THE board of trade of the city of
Mankato has for several years past
been putting forth efforts to secure for
Mankato an electric street railway.
To that end seven or eight months ago
a committee was appointed from said
board, known as the eleo5ric street
railway committee. This committee
had assurance from the council and
citizens generally that if any persons,
/ company or corporation would build
and operate in the city of Manhato an
electric street railway, a contract
would be given to said persons, COM
pany or corporation for the city light
ing for term of ten years at reason
4 able figures. This committee waited
upon the representatives of the Man
kato Gas and Electric Light company
a nd asked them to put in q street
railway as per the above conditions.
The company declined to do it. The
entire city was, therefore, ripe for the
Collins proposition. This was hailed
by our citizens with delight, and
every reasonable encouragement has
been given by our citizens toward the
contamination of the Collins PROPOSE
tion. Therefore be it
Resolved, by the citizens of Man
kato. in mass meeting assembled, That
we believe that the defeat of the
Collins proposition would be great
calamity to the city of Mankato; that
we deeply regret the action taken by
John B. Meagher that we hold in
high esteem our own citizens connect
ed with said company and believe that
they themselves could but regret the
defeat of the Collins proposition.
Resolved, That committee of
five be appointed to wait upon Mr..
John B. Meagher and respectfully
, urge him to reconsider his rash act
and withdraw the injunction which
he has fled against the Mankato and
st. Peter Railway and Lighting COM
pany.
, President Hixon was called for tc
! speak on the resolutions. He said
! that the unanimous sentiment of the
people put new life into those who
. have worked on the street railway
matter. No one has had any selfish
motives. all having only the future
, welfare of Mankato--in view; He thank.
ed the people ofMankato for their assis
lance, without which they could moi
} have succeeded. The city has come to
new era. 1t was not supposed thai
, little matter like $74 light would
stand in the way of such an enterprise
as street railway. The road would
be of the best equipment, and the
company would furnish competition in
lighting. If the proposition is wreck.
? ed, he was in favor of a municipal
> plant for city and commercial light
, ing. The people who are back of the
) deal are not easily frightened, and he
) did not think that they would throw
: up the deal after hearing of this meet.
{ ing The fimsy complaint filed Mon.
J day says we would be paying toe
! much for our lights. An expert re.
Gently employed by the city said thai
$74 was reasonable figure for good
lights. The old company has an over
issue of bonds of some $50, 600. Ar
electrical expert recently said that be
would reproduce It's electrical equip.
ment for So, 900. The gas engines fail
to give steady light. The old COM
pany has had every opportunity tc
, embrace an opportunity, and have
failed. When the bonds were foated
by Mason & Lewis, much stock went
with them as bonus. l cannot see
how the members holding stock Car
lose anything, when the stock is not
worth the paper it is written on.
A. Clark was called for and sale
that it was.too bad that after the fond
est expectations of the people had beer
nearly realized an obstacle should bt
thrown in the way. 1t is a source o.
danger. The capitalists live at dis
lance. If we can convince them of the
} feeling of the city they will go OF
. with the deal if not, it will go down
, Mr.. Collins is not easily frightened