The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-02-26

katO SnOulu De equally as large Guy
as Duluth. The people here should get
together, they should be more sociable.
There are many things the people could
do here if the people would pull together.
Mr.. Hixon spoke of the railroads, the
shipping facilities, and said that no city
in the west is so well situated as Man
kato for the promotion of manufacturing
enterprises. There is no better location
in the west for the manufacture of wool
en- goods. While Mr.. Hixon did not con-
slider that he owed any allegiance to
Mankato, yet no one could question his
loyalty to the city. He stood ready and
willing at all times to contribute his
share toward the fostering of enterprises
that will prove beneficial to Mankato.
"The Absurdities of the Critic"
The last speaker of the evening was
Rev. F. E. R. Miller, who discussed ''The
Absurdities of the Critic" The divine
was not allowed an introduction without
a few witty remarks from POSTMASTER
Taylor, who intimated that Rev. N1iller's
anti-liquor sentiments were prompted by
he belonged was somewhat partial to
water, and that water and stronger liq-
uids did not mix very well.
Rev. Miller took it for granted that
he being the last speaker on the pro
gram he was to pronounce the benedic-
ton, being used to that sort of thing.
The absurdity of the critic is that he
generally forms his opinion on the frag-
ments of information. This statement
was illustrated by a laughable story,
told in Rev. Miller's own peculiar and in
imitable style. Too often it is that the
critic does not get the other fellows
point of view. He does not put himself
in the other fellows place. When a
young boy Rev. Miller had read Charles
Reeds story: "Put Yourself in His
Place" and it made a deep impression
upon him. Criticism should ALWAYS be
of healthful character. People should
be frank with each other. Criticism
should be made boldly and above board
with the end in view that it will
accomplish good. Rev. Miller contended
that Mankato has wonderful possibilities
for growth, but there is such lack of
activity to take advantage of those pos
sibilities. He congratulated the business
men upon their getting together. All
should stand together with clasped hands
and with the one object of working to
Mankato's advancement. Rev. Miller
closed with pretty sentiment from the
pen of James Whitcomb Riley.
Each speaker was the recipient of lib
eral applause, that genuine outburst
which comes from the soul and is in
thorough appreciation of the remarks
made
Good Roads Resolutions.
Just before the assemblage dispersed
DIR. Andrews introduced the following
which received unanimous approval:
Whereas, a bill has been introduced
into the national congress by the Hon.
Walter P. Brownlow appropriating $24,-
100000 for the purpose of constructing
good roads, and,
Whereas, it is provided in this bill
that any state or county receiving
portion of this money shall appropriate
an equal amount for road purposes, and,
Whereas, much money has been use
lessly appropriated by our government
for river and harbor purposes, and moth
ing for good roads for the farmer, there
fore,
Resolved, That the board of trade,
and Business Mems association and 9TH
er citizens of Mankato heartily approve
of this bill and most respectfully, but
earnestly request our senators and repre-
sentatives in congress to work for the
passage of the same.
Resolved, That copy of these reso
buttons be sent to Senator Nelson, SEN
ator Clapp, Representatives McCleary
and Davis, and to the Hon. Walter p
Grownlow, author of the bill.
Thus came to an end the first banquet |
given by the business men of Mankato,
and it was the general sentiment that it |
should not be the last. All were greatly |
pleased over the success of the affair, |
and no one could be found who did not |
express the sentiment that such func-
ton could not help but result in good |
in more ways than one for this beauti-
full city-the proud metropolis of south
ern Minnesota.
The committees that had charge of the
for the banquet are as fol-
lows: Board of Trade Benjamin Tay
lor, w. A. Funk, John G. Wise. Business
Mems Associations. B. Ogle, Hans Jor-
gensen, John c. Thro.
Landlord Kent had the speakers table
nicely decorated with wax tapers and at
each plate at all the tables were carna-
items, which the guests carried away as