The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-27
BILL ADVANCED.
Auditorium Bill Gets to the
Third Reading.
L. Nj. Crawford Was the "sTaX
Payers" Mr.. SeatOn Meant
WHEN HE ANNOUNCED
That Topeka Taxpayers Had
Been Opposing the Bill.
An Auditorium Would Really
Benefit Manager Crawford.
WOULD BRING CROWDS
OF Strangers Here Who Would
Attend His TheaterS.
Bill Likely to Pass ON Monday
Or Tuesday.

The Topeka auditorium bill was adj
vanced to third reading on the house
calendar this forenoon, upon motion of
Mr. McKeever.
The bill will be taken up and passed,
Monday or Tuesday
The measure was placed on the calen-
OAR subject to amendment and debate,
but it is extremely probable that no
further opposition will be manifested
from Mr. Seaton, who it is said has
fulfilled his promise Ito oppose the
advancement of the bill.
The only changes now in prospect
are amendments to the bill making it
apply to Topeka only.
Mr.. Seaton opposed the bill in de-
ference to the request of L. NJ Craw
ford, a brother opera house owner.
However, Mr.. Seaton disclaims any
hostility to Topeka and referred to the
fact that he had secured the appropria-
ton to build the west wing of the capt.
tol, and had taken an important part
in esta blishing the insane asylum and
reform school in this county.
He said to a Journal reporter: ST
will insist on amending the bill so it
will not reach other cities. Further
than that 1 will not oppose the bill
when it comes up again
Mr.. McKeever said: The only OPP
position to the bill which I have heard
came from Judge c. G.. Foster who in
letter to me. objected to the passage
of the bill, fearing that it would in
crease the taxes in this city. This is
an error, however, as this bill in no
ton
Mr.. McKeever called up his motion to
place.the bill on third reading and asked
the members to grant this concession,
explaining that the bill was entirely
local in its nature and would in no way
affect other cities.
Seaton of Atchison objected to the ad-
Vancement of the bill. He said: II
am opposed to passing bills of this
character. 1t is wrong for us to give
power to city councils to appropriate
moneys for the aid of any public enter
prize in which they may become inter-
ested. 1t is an injustice to the tax
payers. and 1 respectfully lift my voice
in supplication against this bill"
Mr.. Larimer explained the purposes
of the bill and urged in a few words
the merit of the measure. He said:
1.-The members here know we have no
good place in which you may hold con-
Ventions. This bill is to aid us in pre-
pairing a suitable place for such meet
ings, and we ask you to assist us.
Mr.. Fairchild moved to table Mr.. Nc
Keever's motion, but this was defeated.
Taylor of WyandOtte, following Nc
KeeVer'S explanation that he would in
sist in amending the bill to make it APP
ply only to Topeka, said: "Since this
measure is for Topeka's sole benefit and
will not affect other cities of the first
class, L hope the bill will be advanced
to third reading.
The vote was then taken, and by
good majority the motion to advance
Upon the next third reading of bills,
which will come up MOnday,in all prob
ability the measure will be passed
SO it really transpires that the only
genuine opposition by taxpayers
in Topeka to an auditorium is confined
to Mr. L. NJ Crawford Mr.. Craw
ford's objection is the same as he would
have to Hamilton hall or any other hall
that might deprive him of renting his
opera house for public gatherings.
But if manager Crawford would study
the question a little more closely he
would see that an auditorium would
benefit rather than injure him.
An auditorium holding 5000 people
would bring numerous large meetings
to Topeka The more strangers there
are in the city the larger the audiences
at the opera houses
Numerous conventions at Topeka
would really put money in Mr. Craw-
ford's pocket. The presence of strangers
with money in Topeka helps every bust
ness and line of trade. 1t even helps
the taxpayers, as it puts cash in cir
culation that eventually enables the
taxpayer to more easily pay his taxes.
The country village has no taxes to
speak of, and it has no business to
speak OF, either.
Topeka needs to get rid of the coun-
tr-V village idea.