The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-12-05
North Mankato
Would Enact Role
From Thursdays Daily.

into matrimonial relations with Man
kato. The north side is willing to
play the role of a loving sister to
her larger sutton, but is not now
ready to join hands with this city
and have the marital knot tied, pre-
ferring to remain in single blessed
ness and caring for herself. Brook
Ign" is a coy maiden. Eloquent pleas
in favor of a union of hearts and in
terests failed to influence her in that
direction. She would grow up to be
q spinster rather than trust herself
TO the care of Mankato. This was
the sentiment expressed in a vote
at the North Mankato Commercial
club meeting, held last night. OF
the thirty-five members who were in
attendance, only four voted in favor
of annexation with Mankato, twelve
voted against the proposition and
the remaining members did not vote
at all. They were the innocent by.
ISLANDERS who did not care to ex.
press themselves regarding the pro.
posed matchmaking venture.
Discussion Was Spirited.
The attendance at the meeting was
larger than was to be expected, con-
sidering the inclement weather, but
the fact that the question of an
neXation was to be discussed served
10 bring out many men who wanted
to hear the arguments for and
against tho proposition. President
w. +. Stewart called attention to
The special order of business, and
said the matter was open for discus
sion. He remarked that while in
ST. Peter recently he had spoken to
Senator Benson in regard TO the
question Of annexing North Mankato
10 MankatO and the senator stated
most emphatically that if it was
proposed TO annex any Nicollet
county territory to Blue Earth county
he would oppose it.
Henry Robel, ST., the champion of
annexation, was first to address the
meeting. He said that he would
have nothing TO say for the present,
preferring to hear what the OppO-
nents of annexation might have to
offer. Later on, or at another meet
ing, he would discuss the question
at length. He wanted it understood
that he was in favor of annexation.
Judge Rossler favored the union.
There is strength in union" said
the Judge Il believe that a union
of the two towns will hasten the
erection of a bridge across the Min
nesota river"
Z. C. Banker wanted to know
wherein North Mankato will be bene-
fitted by such union.
Ball Makes Motion.
At this stage of the proceedings,
c. Z. Ball moved that it is the
sense of the Commercial club that
it is for the best interests of North
Mankato TO unite with Mankato
The motion was seconded, and then
the discussion begun in earnest.
Louis Larson, village recorder, pro-
duced a list of figures which showed
the payroll Of the city officials in
Mankato from mayor down to pound
master. The total amounted to
$36,820 per annum. He said the
property valuation in Mankato is
more than 100000, while that of
North Mankato is between $290,O00
and 100000. North Mankato would
ha copnaIlod 70 now cayop ror Govt
OF the payroll, if annexed to Man
kato, or $2,577 80. The payroll for
village officials in North Mankato
is $755 per annum. Should North
Mankato annex itself to Mankato
the necessities of such a merger
would require the employment of
additional policemen and firemen
which would increase North Man
kato's portion of the expense to prob
ably $4,000 per year. Mr.. Larson
maintained that North Mankato could
make improvements under the pres
ent system without great additional
expense. He also called attention
TO the statement made by Arthur
oCliduU DIT plcflOuS Injecting UlldJ
if annexation should be brought about
the property valuation in North Man
kato would be increased thirty-three
and one-third per cent, and Mr. Lar
son claimed that this would result
in a rise in taxation.
Mr.. Robel Was Surprised.
Mr.. Robel was on his feet in an
instant. He expressed surprise that
anyone should bring up the question
of salaries. I'VE all know what the
salaries are" exclaimed Mr.. Robel.
I'VE all know that salaries must be
paid TO the city officials. These
officials are necessary. The officials
in North Mankato are not working
for salaries. They are willing to
put in their time for nothing. So
are the firem who are willing to
protect our property, but what can
they do under present conditions?"
Emil Rhode remarked that the fire.
men in North Mankato can do as.
they did in Mankato-let the build
ing on fire burn and devote their
energies to protecting adjoining prop
erty.
Mr.. Robel called to mind that
building had burned down in
North Mankato recently.
Then Mr.. Robel analysed the du-