The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-03-14
A SOCIAL CLUB
Steps Taken to Organize One
in Mankat0.
The Projectors of a Commercial Club
Vote to Abandon it and Follow
Another Line.

Mankato will have social club in
stead of commercial club. This was
decided upon at the meeting held Mon
day for the purpose of perfecting the
organization of the commercial club.
The attendance was less than dozen,
and those present reported that there
was no interest manifested. among the
business men in the organization of, q
commercial club, while there was
some hostility toward it. 1t was felt
that the board of trade and Merchants
Protective association were already
filling the field. There was, however,
a general desire manifested that
social club be organized, which could
eventually work along commercial
lines if it became apparent that there
was field for such endeavors.
The membership committee reported
that it had done nothing, as it was not
in a position to say what the purposes
of the club would be, nor whats Charges
would be made. :
G. n. Andrews said that while there
was perhaps a.feld fora commercial
club, the conditions were not propi-
tious for organizing one. The idea
of starting one had failed to enlist the
sympathy that would inspire to further
effort A social club had been sug-
gested by the younger element of the
city, with rooms and all the necessary
adjuncts of social club. Those who
want to work along commercial lines
could unite with the board of trade,
as steps are being taken to hold melt
ings of the entire board, as is contem
plated by its bylaws, and not Of the
directors only as has been the custom.
The committee on constitution and
bylaws reported that until more
manifest desire to make use of con-
stitution and bylaws was shown, it
seemed unnecessary to make further
report.
J. E. Reynolds, P. s. Thomas and
others favored a social club, with
rooms, etc. E. L. Patterson promised
his support toward anything on this
inc.
]. R. Brandrup did not think that
there was enough enthusiasm among
the people to start commercial club,
particularly as there are two organi-
cations filing the field already.
Frank ]. Busch did not think that
the right steps had been taken in
starting a commercial club.
Prof. Nettleton favored abandoning
the commercial club idea and form
ing social club.
After much discussion, in which
opinions were freely expressed by all
present, it was unanimously voted not
to form a commercial club, but to take
steps looking to the organization of a
social club. The committee on mem
bership was instructed to procure
members for a social club.
An adjournment was taken until
Monday evening, March Gath, at the
board of trade room, when social
club will be organized. All interested
in forming one should be present at
that time.
Nearly all cities, including those
with much less population than Man
kato have social clubs. These clubs
play useful part in municipal life,
providing rooms where the members
can meet and entertain strangers.
They are generally provided with
reading, writing, smoking, card and
billiard rooms, and sometimes with
culinary department. Mankato affords
field for such an organization, and
one will no doubt be formed, and made
a success.