The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-09-20
100000 BONDING


tContinaea From, Page. One.)
welfare of the children should ana
must come first"
Would Want lynching.
1t would be easy to imagine. he
stated the turmoil and excitement that
would arise if the building should
catch fire and children be burned or
crippled in the flames. Then the peo-
pie would want to lynch the school
board for not having haG erected a
new building" he declared.
"Mankato mas always given readily
and literally to all the patriotic caus-
es during the war and they should al
so support their institution OF learn
ing" Mr.. Reynolds stated. He said
there never was an inopportune time
10 construct building as badly need
cd as this ard that il Mankato failed
TO vote the bonds Saturday it would
mean a lasting disgrace to the city. it
would deprive the children of that
which rightfully belongs 20 them.
Matter of Taxes.
President Jefferson stated that as
for the matter of taxes it would mean
but So additional for every man who
is now paying S100 taxes. He said
people could easily save this small
amount by slightly curtailing their
amusementS for time
Charles t. Taylor stated that he had
voted in favor Of the bonds for the
high school and that he would vote
for the Union school as well. He said
it was for the best interests of the
children.
Fl. A. Patterson said he had felt
many years ago that the building was
necessary However, he said that
these were unusual times and that if
the building was safe and could be
used he did not favor the construction
of new building at the present time
If there was any danger to the chill
0ren he urged that steps be taken to
have new structure erected at once
President Jefferson explained that the
building had been condemned as 70
longer fit for use He said the Man
kato school board was as economical
as any other in the state and would
not consider the step unless it was
absolutely essential
Tramps Better Housed.
Superintendent Sperry showed fig
ures Of other small towns which are
ahead Of Mankato in their school sys-
TENS. Albert Lea, Fairmont and Ken
yon were all examples while Roches-
ter has expended $4,000 in the past
few years to rebuild her entire school
system. He explained that the Union
building was condemned twenty years
ago, that it was condemned five years
ago by the fire marshal and three
years ago was pronounced unfit for
sanitary reasons.
"Mankato is away behind with her
school system" he stated "Your city
lookup, your city Jail are both better
places than your public schools. The
tramp who lodges here for the night
is treated better than the children in
school"
John Duane Wanted To Know.
John Duane was called upon by
President Jefferson TO express his
opinion. Mr.. Duane declared the ques-
ton was baked" He said there was
no longer any question about needing
a building but the public wanted to
know what they were going to get.
1--WE don't want another thing like
this high school saddled on u.s." he
said. I'VE are told in broad way well
get a school but we don't know what
it will be-" He said the Union school
was no worse than the Pleasant Grove
Or the Franklin or the West Mankato
and that the board might as well go
at it in wholesale fashion and have
all the buildings condemned. He in
timated that all needed to condemn a
building was sufficient public senti-
ment against it.
Mr.. Reynolds stated he agreed with
Mr. Duane that the high school build
ing was a mistake, but did not be-
lieve the present board would make
another mistake OF this kind. He
thought the board could be trusted to
have erected modern up TO date
structure and one that would prove
entirely satisfactory.
Mr.. Duane urged that the board
present plans of what they We're to
do, otherwise he said the bond issue
would be lost President Jefferson
George Pass and General Wideil all
spoke explaining that the boar, could
not go ahead and build any kind Of
buiding. The plans !must row conform
to state requirements and it would be
impossible to build another school
like the high school George Pass
stated it would be poor business to
have the plans drawn before the board
was sure of passing the bond issue.
Superintendent Sperry stated that the
comment on the high school might be
justified and that it was poor build
ing but that it had served the purpose
for which it was built He said it was
constructed for room. and that it was
accomm odating SEQ children now
where ii was supposed to. hold but
600
"The board asks the taxpayers to
give 100000 and asks them to give
it hlindfolded," stated Mr. Duane
Mr. Jefferson attempted to explain
when Mr.. Duane interrupted, saying
II think you'll find the plans for this
high school swere drawn before the
bonds were raised
Retort BY Jefferson.
And lock at what you GOT" retort-
Cd Mr. Jefferson, you lust condemn
cd this building yourself, do you want
another like it?'
Mr. Reynolds facti0usly remarked
that. it was quito evident that Mr..
Duane wanted plans drawn and plac-
cd on exhibition somewhere so that
the people could give them the "once