The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-15
THE TIME TO act.
Will Indiana See Her Opportunity and
Improve Its

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal;
A State can only become great by the
acts OF it's people A liberal, broad and just
policy will lead more rapidly to develop
ment and greatness than any other. Many
of us who have lived in Indiana all our
lives have not yet learned of its wonderful
resources and rare natural advantages rms
truth is beginning to dawn upon the minds
of our people more forcibly day by day, and
it is beyond the wisdom of man to compre-
bend our future greatness. Shall we travel
at a snaips pace, or shall we feap forward
with that degree of energy and impulse
which characterizes twentieth century pro-
erosion? For this answer we look to the
intelligence of the people, and it is believed
as in the past, they can be trusted. Nature
in her extreme kindness has showered
greater advantages and blessings on Indi-
ana than many if not any other. she mas
given us a soil adapted to the products OF
almost all of mans needs, and has placed
us geographically in the gateway leading
to the great West, making us the necessary
highway of the most glorious country or
the age Nature has not only given us fine
soil, but has likewise supplied us with cl-
matte conditions conducive to health, pros
perity and happiness. The lands or Inul-
ana are well watered: the mineral resources
and buiding-Stone quarries are OF lncalcuia-
bic value; our vast nelQS Oh cray TOT lilS
potter's use, olIr great coal mines to make
the whistles of cur factories ring, our plen-
tiful supply of gas to bring warmth to the
homes of Millions our remuneratiVe OIL
felds--all are enviable possessions OF Indi-
ana. AS the infant develops 1t draws more
and more on natures supplies, and Indiana
is just now merging into its ch1ldhood-only
the infant State developing.
While | have mentioned some OF its great
natural resources, there is still one which,
though not yet born, is destined to lead and
become the giant of them all. In it's plead
ing condition will we give ii a look, a word
or crumb of encouragement. and by so
doing be a benefactor to the State and all
humanity therein? ] refer to the sugar
beet industry. Its name needs no introduce
and to whom should we turn In time OF
need but to those who have at heart the
welfare of all state induStrieS-our leg1Sla-
tive body? We therefore humble ourselves
and ask that they investigate the merits or
our cause and give us such aid and stimu-
lants as will infuse life into that which
promises such profitable returns to our peo-
pie The great men of the State and Nation
have spoken in it's favor, establishing the
latitude congenial to its thrift as regards
soil and climate President Mckinley took
pleasure in presenting the work of the sec
rotary of agriculture to Congress. and in
turn Mr.. Wilson has cheerfully furnished
light and knowledge at every opportunity:
announcement time and again; United
States Senator Fairbanks, at the state Re
publican convention at Indianapolis took
occasion TO speak In its favor; DR.. IT. w.
Wiley has at great expense prepared maps
of the beet-growang districts and uttered
many words of cheer: Professor Huston, of
Purdue University has been presenting the
possibilities of the undertaking from an Off
cial standpoint and is ever ready to shed
more light on the subject to all inquiring