The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-18
MAKING A MODEL CITY"
SUBJECT DISCUSSED AT THE COM
MERCIAL CLUBS DINNER.
Admiral Brown and Ex-ConsuI Gem
eral MOrss the Guests OF
HOnOr-Many TOasts.

The Commercial Club gave an elaborate
dinner last night to about seventy-fve in
vited guests, who sat down to a fine spread
in the clubs dining room. Admiral Brown
and ex-Consul General Morss were the
guests of honor. The tables were prettily
decorated with roses and chrysanthemums.
The last of long list of toasts was not
given until nearly 1 o'clock this morning.
Both the distinguished guests of honor were
given fiattering ovations. During the course
of his remarks Mr.. Morss paid a delicate
tribute to Colonel Eli Lilly, one of the
pioneers of the Commercial Club His ex-
preston Of happiness that Colonel Lilly is
rapidly recovering from long and painful
illness was applauded long and loudly. Mr..
Morss expressed the hope that before the
evening passed he might enjoy the privi-
lege of drinking bumper to the long life
and renewed health of the predetermined cit
izen. After his speech was ended c. G.
Foster proposed Colonel Lilly's health. 1t
was drank with hearty good WILL all pres
ent arising at the mention of his name.
President Fortune presided as postmaster
In his Introductory remarks he said:
The fame of Indianapolis is associated
with the higher and better conditions of city
HE. indianapolis is the arterial center of
America-the heart city of the continent
TO which has been drawn the best blending
OF Eastern culture and thrift, of Southern
social quality and of Western progressive
spirit, and from these elements, united and
harmOnZed here, where all meet in the true
equality of genuine merit, we have the type
OF American citizenship which reveals least
OF human flaws. This has come to US as
the result of generations of assmilative
processes, and we are now in the first stages
of its distinct growth.
The memory of the youngest man sitting
here tonight may go back to the we'll
marked beginning in the development of the
conditions which are making Indianapolis
famous over the country as an ideal city.
Scarcely eight years ago we entered upon
the era of better material things which
signalized the rising of the new spirit Our
arched and cobble streets, the crude device
OF benighted engineering, were capable of
cruelty enough for the just punishment of
the eternally condemned; our sewerage sys-
TEN was as far out of mind out of sight:
street cleaning and thorough sanitation
We're beyond even prospective consideration;
an isolated farm south of town was the best
suggestion of such thing as a great park
system; our dimly-lighted streets afforded
more prosperity TO gas companies and foot
pads tban protection to the public, and the
town has not yet quite recovered from it's
evaporation by broken-down mules and
rickety bob-tail cars. The lamentable con-
diuons which then prevailed were fostered
by form of government which, to say the
least of 1t, was responsibility COMPOUNDED.
1t was absolutely irreconcilable with intelli-
gent and efficient administration of affairs.
1t darkened and INSTRUCTED the way to all
enlightened Improvement, and when the new
spirit of the community came into agrees
SiNe ACTIVITY IL was round that little could
be accomplished in bringing about better
conditions until an intelligent and we'll
ordered form of government could be pro-
Vided. In short, indianapolis eight years
ago was like a dilapidated old house. 1t
sadly needed overhauling and remodeling.
THE SPIRIT OF PROGRESS.
THE new progressive spirit has wrought
great Improvement. The Indianapolis of to-
day is scarcely recognizable the Indian
apolis of eight years ago. But there is yet
much to be DONE The good work so we'll
begun must not be allowed to falter We
come together here tonight to again take
counsel and to again renew efforts in MAX
ing here the model city of America.
I'VE must expect encouragement, such,
for instance. as now confronts us in the
failure of three years of work preparatory
to providing for the city a great park sys-
TEN. we cannot have a model city without
parks. 1t is deporable that a slight defect
in legislation should prolong delay when all
was IN readiness for realization of the care
fully developed plans for our park system,
but 1t is better TO suffer delay until proper
methods of procedure can be provided than
TO fall into the mistake of starting wrong.
The willingness of the mayor to go ahead
under such authority as. may be left in the
charter is highly commendable, but if that
authority does not assure safe methods of
procedure and due consideration of plans
would it not be better to wait until the
requisite safeguards can be provided? Is
there not danger that a mistaken step may
obstrUct progress for many years? The rapid
improvement of Indianapolis is due largely
to the patience and foresight that re-
strained the beginning of work until after
proper methods had been provided for it by
the adoption of the charter. Delay-a de-
lay of a year that galed-waS theypolicy of
this organization then, but it was the kind
of delay that assured the best progress. 1t
will afford the utmost qualification if the
park plans be carried out without de-
lay but delay is better than to allow the
park system TO suffer possibly irremediable
injury from becoming involved in the snarlS
of uncertain procedure.
While there is yet much to be done,
enough has been accomplished to show the
high aim in view. the high hopes for our
city. There is encouragement now from
praise of the observer and pride of the
that once lamented and criticised. Homes
pride is the handspring of good citizenship.
Home pride is the doctrine of the CONNER
ciaI Club; home pride is our gospel; home
Improvement is our prayer And home, the
best on earth, is indianapolis.
1T is the home idea. with all it's tender
attachments, high aims and regard for
human welfare that dominates in the max
ing of model city. 1t is not merely good
physical condition and the best facilities for
which we strive here, but also that which
best ministers to soul and heart and in
tellect. The stranger who praises the beauty
of our city is impressed with its prosperity.
and is pleased with its social quality, can
hardly be expected to fully realize in
passing acquaintance the whoIesomeness
and elevating influences which eiidear it to
us as the best of Cities
In introducing Admiral Brown, the toast
master said:
"A lew months ago Harpers Weekly
contained an editorial article comment
ing on the remarkable advancement of
Indianapolis, and notIng that somehow 1t
is singularly successful in retaining its best
citizens Many names familiar to the world
for great achievements and the attainment
of high honorS are associated with Indian
apolis as home. Duty in the service of the
country may take citizens from among us.
but when free to seek the one abiding place
most congenial in all the world they come
back to us.
Nearly a half century ago lad of ster-
ling qualities went from this city to enter
the service of his country. His career is a
story of the patriots devotion and the
hero's courage, story of honorable ad-
vancement step by step through all grada-
lions OF service. from the preparatory
training of midshipman to the high position
of commander of the United States navy.
Had ambition been stronger than devotion
10 his country, kings crown might have
rested on his brow. but we find in him a
fighting patriot whom no temptation could
swerve from duty. The worlo honors him
as the heroic commander of the 1ndianola,
with Faragut's feet, as the master in many
trying emergencies in the Pacific, where
Judgment and courage triumphed, as the
Official fac-simile of Medal Awarded