The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-09-10

ton OF the Galveston and Des Nome
plans of municipal government. Thes
plans have been given a try-out in
number of enterprising and progres
sive cities and it is well spoken of b
citizens of those towns. The follow
ing letters speak for themselves. The
IRE of recent date and were receive
by George NJ Palmer, chairman G
the Mankato charter commission, VIII
sought information as to how tn
plan is working an
whether the results obtained are sat
sfactory. The letters follow:
Not Single Objection.
Galveston, Texas, Aug. 30, 1909
Mr. c. NJ. Palmer, Mankato, MINI.
Dear Sir: We acknowledge receipt of
your favor of the 25th, addressed to
our president, Mr.. R. Waverly
Smith, who is at present, absent.
We have forwarded your letter
to him.
I'm the opinion of the writer,
the commission form of govern
ment, is the best that has been
devised, and l regard it favor
ably from every point of view.
The good results that have been
accomplished in Galveston, are
everywhere apparent. Only a
short time ago | received let
ter from party stating he was
to take part in debate for and
against the commission form of
government He stated that he
had to speak against the plan
and asked me to write all the
objections | possibly could. | re-
piled that our experience here did
not justify my raising a single
objection. No doubt you will hear
from Mr.. Smith on the subject
i'm due course With best wishes,
/ remain, yours very truly, Fred
w. Catterall, cashier of First Ma
tional bank.
Satisfactory at Houston.
Houston, Texas, Aug. 80, 1907
Mr.. G. Mr. Palmer, President,
Mankato; MINI. My Dear Sir:
Replying to your esteemed favor
of the 25th inst, beg to state that
we find the commission form of
city government eminently salts
factory, and the citizens of Hous-
ton would not return to the form
er method of government for any
consideration. Our city affairs
are now handled in a businesslike
manner, the question of politics
being almost altogether elimin-
ated.
OF course in order to get the
best results of a commission form
of government it is necessary to
have a first-class business man for
mayor, one who is not only COM
petent, but thoroughly honest and
progressive. 1t is also important
that the commissioners who handle
the different departments of the
city should be competent and hon.
est. We have been very fortu-
nate in this respect, and our city
has grown with renewed vigor
ever since we have been operating
under our present system.
Should you wish any detailed
information as to the workings
of the system, and will advise
me, it will give me great plea
sure to furnish same. With best
regards, L beg to remain, yours
truly, S. f. Carter, president of
Lumbermen's National bank.
Cedar Rapids Well Pleased.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Aug. %, 1909.
Mr.. G. M. Palmer, President, Man
kato, MINI. Dear Sir: Regarding the
commission plan of government as
has been used in Cedar Rapids
for the past two years, per-
sonally, cannot recommend this
plan too highly, inasmuch as it
has proved its success to us be-
yond question.
1t is much more efficient and
and more economical than the
old style plan. Very truly yours,
j. L. Bever, Jr, vice president of
Commercial National bank.
Galveston, Aug, 30, l909.-G. M.
Palmer, Esq, President, The First
National bank, Mankato, MINI.
Dear Sir: In reply to your kind
letter of the 25th, beg to say that
the commission form of govern
ment has proved most satisfactory
with this city, and / have high
opinion of it in every way. With
best wishes, | am, very truly
yours, w. L. Moody, Jr,, presi-
dent of City National bank.
Well Liked at Des Moines.
Des Moines, Iowa. Aug. 27, 1907
G. M. Palmer, Mankato, MINI.
Dear Sir: Yours of the 25th re-
ceived. In my opinion the COM
mission plan of government is
far preferable to the old plan.
Under the old system the bust
ness of the city was transacted
through committees of the coun-
ell and the board of public works,
with the result that there was
great delay in transacting bust
ness, and if anything went wrong,
it was almost impossible to def
initely fix the responsibility.
Under the commission plan,
Continued On Page Three.