The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-10-25

but congress might favor improving
the river for navigation purposes. In
Icidentally the people living along the
river will have benefits. He advo-
Gated dropping from the resolution the
reference to damage by overhowal of
property, as not likely to assist in
the matter. The river has been nav
igable, and it would not be asking too
much to get an appropriation for a
survey. 1t seems that there is a
lack at present of definite knowledge
about what can be done. Surveys and
plans and estimates are needed. He
would be glad to do all he could to
aid in making stream over which
| freight can be carried.
Senator Collier favored Congressman
Hammond's suggestion about striking
out the second paragraph of the res
olutions. He would ask congress to
improve the river for navigation, and
ask the legislature TO repeal the pres
ent drainage laws. He had seen the
day when five steamers lay alongside
the wharf at Shakopee. He would be
glad to do what he could. He moved
| that the second paragraph be strick
ell out Senator Works agreed to this
and it was done without a vote.
The resolution was then adopted,
Senator Peterson of st. Peter moved
that the legislature be asked to APP
propriate money for a preliminary
survey of the river With a view of
Strengthening, widening and deepening
the channel and improving the naviga-
ton. He spoke on behalf of the mo-
ton. He said that 81 land had been
drained off into the Rush river upon
$50 land He told how legislation
had been passed at st. Paul to aid
counties where drainage bitches have
destroyed land value. An appropria
ton of $4,000 had been made, and
Nicollet county secured $1,000 of it.
By proper agitation, why not ask the
state to survey the river and straight
Ell and improve it and right the wrong
that it has done, if congress will do
nothing. He was willing to help the
matter along, and thought that every
body would do the same.
The motion was carried.
To Prepare a Petition.
Senator Works moved that Con-
gressmen Hammond, Volstead and
Davis be appointed a committee to
prepare the form of a petition.
Congressman Volstead thought that
as passed, there was nothing particu
larly Objectionable about the resolu
tions. There should be nothing in
it referring to the retaining of over
flowed land owned by private persons,
as this would be used as an argument
against the move. The congressman
would say that the reclamation of
private land was sought, and that
congress had given the swamp lands
to Minnesota for it to drain, and
that that was enough. The move
should be confined to a request to
make the river navigable.
The motion was carried.
Senator Works moved that COM
mittee of five be appointed by the
chair to at once draft form of
organization and to name presi-
dent, vice president, secretary and
treasurer. This was carried, and the
chair named as such committee Sena-
tors Works, Seward, Clague and John
son and Andrew Eckstein, the latter
chairman of the county board of
Brown county. The committee at once
retired, and a recess was taken while
it was out.
The Commercial club passed cigars
at intervals, but beyond this no en-
tertainment was provided, as the club
officers had been unable to learn the
days program or how many were
expected.
Name and the Object.
When the committee returned, it
presented report establishing the
name as the Minnesota River Improve
ment association, and it's object as
being to secure from congress an APP
preparation for a survey of the river
with view to ultimately rendering it
navigable, also to secure from the
state an appropriation to guard against
the overflow from excessive drain
age. The committee recommended as
permanent officers the following: II.
F. Weis, president; A. J. Eckstein,
vice president; J. A. Collier, secretary;
B. F. Pay, treasurer. These with the
following are to be an executive COM
mittee: Big Stone county, Ray Far
rington; Chippewa, c. A. Fossness;
Redwood, H. A. Baldwin; Renville,
Fred Ortiz; Nicollet, Fred Fritchie;
Sibley, A. A. Poehler; LeSueur, NJ. w.
Grimes; Scott, w. HI. Weisbeler; Car
yer, George +. Duloit; Yellow Medi
cine, E. II. Sorlein; Blue Earth, w. L.
Hixon; Dakota, A. Smaller.
The report was adopted.
Senator Works said that the matter
of financing the organization had
been left to the executive committee
The meeting adjourned after Sena-
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