The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-06-08

siderable expense i'll the sale of the 10
and plating the property. Judge era.
felt that per cent was not unreason
able
Atchison's Array of Figures.
Aid. Atchison remarked that he hat
been charged with working against tn,
park for spite. He wanted TO assur,
the taxpayers that his opposition wa
not based on that, but something else
He did not feel that the city's financial
condition would permit of the purchase
He went on to say that the present
parks cost the city $4,000 per year tC
maintain. The interest on the park
bonds amounts to 5000 per year. The
interest on the purchase price for the
proposed park would run up to $50
per year and that it would cost not less
than $1,000 a year to maintain the park
properly. The property must be curb
lbs. The city owes $4,000 on the
Broad street pavement. The floating
debt of the city is 5000, and the
mayor and every alderman had given
a pledge to wipe that debt off the slate
this year The current fund is over
drawn $4,000 and the park fund 500
The parks of the city have cost the tax
payers $4,000 during the last ten
years. This city, Aid Atchison said, has
the most elaborate system of parks OF
any city in the state. There are Sibley,
Highland, Lincoln, Baker and Willard
parks. and he denominated the latter as
an elephant" Aid. Atchison did not
believe that the council had any legal
right to cucumber the taxpayers with
anv more Indebtedness without vote
of the people.
Would Sell Highland Park.
Aid. Atchison favored selling High
land park and applying the money OBJ
tanned to the purchase of the fourth
street property. If Judge Cray is a
philanthropist he will sell the land to
the city for half what it cost him. The
speaker did not think it was much of
a sacrifice for Mr.. Cray to throw off
81 900 to have the park named after
himself
Aid. AtchisOn made an amendment to
Aid. HampPs motion that the PROPOSE
ton be put to vote of the people, but
this was not seconded.
''Next year the tax rate will be 40
mills and the people will be hollering
their heads off because their taxes are
so high" said Aid. Atchison with great
deal of emphasis.
AID Hampl asked the city attorney if
the council would have a legal right
to buy the property, taking into con-
sideration the city's financial condition.
The city attorney replied that the city
had reached the limit of its indebted
ness. and the city could probably be en-
joined from making the purchase.
Aid Hampl was satisfied that no one
would get out an injunction. He said
that if the council waited for vote of
the people on the matter the property
would be disposed of in another man
ner The council might take an OPP
ton on the property and in the mean
-, -. ol ~,
Pleas For Highland Park.
Residents from the Highland park sec
ton were in evidence at the council
meeting. Former Aid. Coy protested
against the sale of Highland park. He
contended that the city does not own
the park, but it was purchased by the
water board and that board has never
been reimbursed by the city Mr. Coy
said the park was all right and would
not be under water if properly cared
for.
w. f. Jewson endorsed what had been
said by Mr.. Coy. The park has been
used for many years and by all demon
nations for picnics and Sunday ser
vices. People are forced to build on the
hills and they must have some attrac-
tions there, some place for recreation
Aid. Hampl favored buying the prop
erty at $4,000 and calling it Cray park.
Aid Heinze said the motion needed a
little tinkering up. He would vote
against the Z per cent interest.
AID AtchisOn wanted to know where
the $500 was coming from.
PAY it out of the $1,000 that has
been subscribed by the citizens" shouted
someone in the lobby.
I'VE have not got it yet" replied Aid
Atchison. "You are talking hot air"
| Aid. Mahowald was of the opinion
that the first $500 could be paid out OF
the $1,000 and tax levy made foi
next years $500.
Aid. Hampl was sure that arrange
ments could be made to have the inter
est reduced to 6 per cent.
Five per cent is enough on real es
tate" remarked Aid. Heinze.
Daley AS Peacemaker.