The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-02-28

when the other part of Fifth street
was macadamized, under another city
engineer than Mr. Haynes. These
alleged irregularities must be probed
and the truth learned, whether the
truth reflected upon the mayor, alder
men or others. The question was,
how should it be done? 1t would not
be justice to ignore the charges be-
cause of petitions or advocates. If
wrong had been known, let it be
known, no matter who was hit. Gap
plause.)
Aid. Gary said that the mayor had
voiced his sentiment. He was willing
to pull out if he had done wrong.
Followed Predecessors Plan.
Mr. Haynes said that when the petit.
ton was presented, asking that South
Fifth street be improved, he had tax
en- the specifications and contract of
his predecessor, j. r. Thompson, that
the latter had used on the other part
of Fifth street, and the manner of
handling the South Fifth street work
had been identical with the way
Mr.. Thompson had done with North
Fifth street. Experts had now been
going over the figures for two weeks
and had not arrived at an agreement.
If there was fault, at least six or
| eight were to blame, and he did not
want to take the "cussing' for all
that had happened during the past
-four years. If he was to blame then
Mr.. Thompson was equally TO blame,
for he had used the latter's specifica-
tons and method.
Mr.. Hughes said that if anything
was wrong, he would want the fullest
investigation, but none makes a charge
of this character except the aldermen,
who want to pass upon the charges
made by themselves. If charge
was to be brought by Fifth street
property owners there would be no
objection. If these property owners
think Mr. Haynes guilty, let them
prefer charges. The present proceed
ing was inconsistent with the Ameri-
can idea of government, or any idea
of government.
Matter of Business.
Aid. Atchison said that the char
ter provides the way to proceed. If
the mayor could suggest some other
way he would withdraw the motion.
This was not matter for sympathy,
but one of business. The thing had
been started and must be probed to
the bottom.
Mayor Andrews said that charges
had been made by others in due form
and signed.
Mr. Geddes said that if this was the
case there was no need to pass this
motion. 1t was mighty funny ac
ton to make the charge and then try
it.
Mr. Schmitt said that there was
legal precedent for the action to be
taken at this time. 1t was desired to
proceed in such a manner that the
action of the council could not be
set aside by the court regardless of
how much evidence had been presented.
Aid. Gary said that the council had
planned to pass a resolution removing
Mr.. Haynes from office, but Mr..
Schmitt had said that it could not be
done, but had told the alderman what
they could do.
ID. V. Williams said that Fifth
street property owners had made no
charges against Mr.. Haynes. If there
was hearing, probably other matters
would be brought out.
Motion Defeated.
The motion of Aid. Atchison was
put to vote, and it was defeated four
to two. Those voting for the motion
were Aids. Atchison and Gary, and
those voting against it were Aids.
Bradley, Eichstaedt, Mahowald and
Schroeder
Aid. Atchison accused Aids. Maho-
wald and Schroeder of having voted
for the motion on a vive voce vote,
but when the roll was called with
having voted ''no" AID Mahowald de-
MED this.
AID Eichstaedt said that he had
consulted over one hundred people
in his ward, and they did not want
the council to remove Mr.. Haynes. He
had more trouble the past week than
he had had the whole two years that
he served before.
Not Afraid of The Facts.
Mr. Haynes said that if anything
wrong had been done by him he would
like to have it known. He was not
afraid of the facts. Let disinter-
ested committee of three, one of whom
shall be a competent civil engineer,
90 to the bottom of it and see who
is to blame
Mayor Andrews said that he would
try to have this come before
the council in a legal manner. 1t was
due to Mr.. Haynes that the investiga-
ton be had He thought that it might |
be taken up Tuesday night.
Mr.. Geddes said that as a Fifth
street property owner he wanted to
see settlement reached, but if it was
the purpose to have a iangle he would
not attendMr. Coughlan, the contractor,
had agreed to compromise his claim |