The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-05-03
OPPOSED TO CHARTER
FOR THE NORTH SIDE
Members OF Commercial Club
Raise Voices in Protest.

Opposition developed q. the meet.
ing Of the Commercial club last
night to having charter for the
guidance of North Mankato. Several
gentlemen were pronounced against
a charter and gave as their reasons
that such. an institution would him
der progress. A number of matters
were considered by the club. S..
From Thursdays Daily.
Reports of the several committees
recently appointed by President Ball
were made at the meeting Of the
North Mankato Commercial club last
night With President Ball in the
chair the business was transacted
with celebrity, characteristic of the
professor. He reported that so far
about thirty-one circular letters had
been sent out to secure new members
and bring back the old members in.
to the fold.
The chairman of the local adver-
Using committee was not present and
SO no report was made, but Presi-
dent Ball said that there was a
chance for the committee to do some
effective work. This could be made
the local newspaper, so to speak,
and boost and write up items about
all the local improvements. A large
amount of reading matter had been
secured from the state immigration
commissioner and these booklets
were distributed among the men,
bers. The booklets contained much
valuable information about the coun-
ty and vicinity.
Considerable discussion arose when
Charles Keene reported the work of
the charter committee. Mr.. Keene
stated that up to the present only
old charters as samples had been Sc,
cured and that the committee was
waiting to see how the charter &C.
ton in Lake Crystal turned out.
Opposition to Charter.
There seemed to be considerable
opposition to q charter and several of
those present declared themselves
strongly against the adoption of the
charter. F. w. Lassow said that a
charter would be a stumbling block
to the village and he would like to
see legislation to give the village as
much power as a charter but at the
same time, not be SO limited in it's
range, which limitation would hinder
permanent improvements.
F. A. Elders declared himself in
favor of a charter because there
would be more system to the secur-
ing of the roads funds. The question
whether or not a taxpayer could be
compelled to pay his taxes in cash
under the charter form of govern
ment was discussed, but no definite
result reached. w. e. Stewart was
strongly against a charter. He had
secured legal advice on the matter,
and it was learned, he said, that a
charter was too limiting. However,
he said that Senator Benson would
introduce q bill in the next legisla,
ture which gave a village without a
charter, as much power and authority
as a village with charter.
Fred Emmler reported, as chair
man of the streets, alleys and vacant
lots committee, that several noted
improvements had been made in the
village, but that there was still room
for considerable further improvement
in the line of cleaning the alleys OF
tin cans, manure piles, etc. Joseph
Leonard states that the council had
given notice that all lots and streets
must be cleaned by May /. ..
CURLING Should Be Replaced.
President Ball brought up the mat
ter of remedying the conditions OF
the streets. The board planks, used
as curbing on the streets were get
ting rotten and should be replaced
or all the boards entirely taken away
Mr. Ehler favored a cement curbing
Mr.. Stewart stated that the village
did have grades and the plans fol
these were with the village record
err. He advocated the appointment
of committee to start a petition fol
curb and gutter for the entire length
of Belgrade avenue.
Mr.. Stewart brought up the mat
ter of opening a strip of land belong
ing to Mrs. Katherine Mayer to thu
rear of the North Mankato baker!
and to open up a street, as the vii
lage would have to get street there
sooner or later, and the value of thu
property was continually increasing
The village had made Mrs. Mayer al
offer before, but she refused 1t. The
matter was finally taken to the cour
at ST. Peter and decided in her ia
vor Mr.. Stewart suggested that ;
committee sec the city council witt
view to having the councilmen asl
Mrs Mayer to name price for thu
property and then buy it.. Several o
the adjacent property owners wer
willing to make donations, he said
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