The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-20
LOOKS BRIGHT AHEAD.
Nearly Fifty Citizens Join the
Municipal League.
Mr.. H. 4. ROSSIHGTOH SPEAKS.

EiRefOrm Warmly COmmended-L. \.
stebbIns Reads a Paper en- the Won
derful improvements made by the
People OF Glasgow.
The Municipal League met last night
to organize.
The following gentlemen were present:
W. e. Rossington, VIM. Green, DR.. s. E.
Martin, J. D. Mcfarland, VIM. MacFer-
ran, Rev. Charles IL. Sheldon, 7. E.
Bowman, George D. Hale, E e. Bene-
dict. D. II. Moore, J. s. Morse,
James Dunn. c. ]. Evans, E. A WAGNER,
A Fl. Weatherbee, Clad Hamilton, G. G.
Lee, W. s. McClintock, L A. Stebbins,
II. w. Euler, A. McGreagor, Fl. c. Bow
man, George Hanley, Thomas Bolts,
George Brooks, Rev. W. F. File, J. Fl.
Hunt, w. s Lawson, Rev. N. G. Long,
Alexander Laird, J. G. Samuelson. F. L.
Whitaker, III. NJ. Stebbins, W. FL. Ben
nington, Arthur Wellman, George
Spaulding, Vinton Phenis, David VIII
liams, A w. Earnest, T. X Jones, ]. ID.
Sweeney and G. ]. Smart
The Office of T. E. Bowman was filed
and all were anxious to see the organi-
cation made a success. The constitution
was adopted, but there was hitch when
it came to the election of permanent
officers. The committee on nominations
said that they were unable to find the
right men, and the election was deferred
until the next meeting.
The event of the meeting was paper
by L. A Stebbins on Glasgow, Scotland,
the only city which operates water works,
street cars, gas plants, bath houses, hos
pitfalls, lodging houses and slaughter
houses.
The discussion of the system of water
works was especially interesting to the
people of Topeka, who are suffering
from the extortion of the Topeka Water
company. The water is taken from q
lake thirty-four miles distant, and the
works have capacity of forty-five gal
| Ions daily for every inhabitant of the
city. The source of supply is tar above
the city, and the natural fire pressure
will throw the water eighty feet above
the highest building.
| The cost of the water is based on the
| rental value of the property, and when
| house rents for $40 a month, the water
rate for all purposes is 80 cents, and
rent is greater.
The streets are swept every night in
Glasgow and 800 people are employed
on the street force. There are seven mu-
nicipal lodging houses which can &C.
commodate 1000 people. The cost is
only from Z to 8 cents per night, and
even at this rate the city has made per
cent on the Investment
Alexander Laird, an emp1oye of the
Santa Fe offices, said that he formerly
lived in Glasgow. 81 was surprised -
NAL this evening that Glasgow would be
studied as the ideal city. The people of
Glasgow look upon Topeka as the ideal
city and few years ago a man from
Glasgow was here expressly to study our
city, and he made very glowing report
when he went home. He commented
upon the broad avenues and the absence
of saloons as especial features.
W. II. Rossington had intently listened
to the paper. "When Mr.. Peck and I
were in Glasgow" said he, I'VE saw a
dray drawn by heavy CIydesdale horses
hitched tandem passing up the street,
and imagine our surprise to see that il
was loaded with -four labeled sCrosby'a
Mills, Topeka"
"Yes, and they get it there just as
cheap as we do" replied the man from
| Glasgow
"Now, we know that this Glasgow sys.
tenn OF city government is theoretically
very bad" said Mr.. Stebbins, ''and politi.
cal economy teaches US that it is the
worst thing possible, but we find out thai
it is practically a great success. The
study of these cities will be good thing
for this league to take up"
ave might come a little nearer home
with profit" said Rev. Charles NJ. Shell
don. "There are cities on this continent
which have advanced in political re
form"
"Yes." said Mr.. Rossington, ''the city
of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is one OF
those. But there is one thing we mus
not overlook. It has been said tina
liberty is the most costly of anything and
We cannot have the same control ovel
our people here as they have in those
old European cities where the people
are taught subordination and have beer
used to it all their lives. There are othe
things which should first claim the atten
ton of league Of this kind. The people
should be educated that the buying 0
police protection, of safe guards ant
other duties attendant upon city officer
should be considered just the same a
the building of a house or the sodding 0
yard. The old spoils system founde'
by VIM. L Marcy and put into practic
by Andrew jackson may have worked al
right then, but we find now at late
day there are not enough spoils to e
, around. The control of our city shout
be kept entirely out of politics."
? Mr.. Rossington's talk was applauded
G. G. Lee, Populist timer, said: Is
, and Others" said he, shave been doin:
t something like this for years, and an
; of course, in favor of municipal reform
, l would like to join this organization
, I could believe that you are sincere"
+ sour purposes provide that a memb
, must drop his politics." said C. ]. Evan
+ 81 would be willing to do that" sal
Lee, ''if l was satisfied that the rest
, | you would do the same"
|
/ said w. c. Campbell.
q 1t was decided to hold the next NEE
ing on Wednesday evening of next weel
in Trades assembly hall, at 113 east SCI
enth street, when a roll of membershi
will be made up and officers elected.
paper on Toronto will be read by Re
9 Charles NJ. Sheldon.