The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-16
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Meets and Elects Officers-Plat-
form and Programme.

work of organization was hampered by
various obstacles.
First the ladies could find no place to
meet. The colored soldiers monopo-
lized both the senate chamber and rep
resentative hall. Mrs. Diggs finally
marched them up to the adjutant gen
erals office and that gentleman surren-
dered and was permitted to retire with
honors of war.
Things went well until o'clock and
then the trouble commenced. A woman
in the back part of the room arose and
said she would have to go home and
get supper. In a few minutes another
left on the same mission and in a very
short time half of the membership of
the Commonwealth club had gone to
minister to, the appetites of hungry
members of their families.
But Mrs. Diggs did not despair. She
called the remaining ladies closer
around her and they elected the fol-
lowing officers:
President Mrs. H. W. Roby.
Vice-President, Mrs. George Harri-
son.
Secretary, Mrs. A Wardan.
Treasurer, Mrs. w. G. Todd
The club will have another meeting
soon, but Mrs. Diggs will try to see
that it is not held at such a late hour
Following is the platform of the or
ganiZation:
We believe that industrial emancipa-
ton is the hope of social, political and
moral regeneration.
We believe that It is possible to so
systematic the industries and so ad-
Just the governmental functions of
this republic as to furnish every will
ing worker with employment and thus
to institute conditions under which
homes and opportunity for individual
development shall be within reach of
the hum blest citizen.
We believe that the quality and char
acter of citizenship among the masses
is largely dependent upon conditions Of
industry.
We believe that every child born into
the republic has an inalienable right
(Which it is the business of the nation
to secure) to such protection of home,
such opportunity Of education and such
security of employment as will enable
him to develop his best possible quail
tiles of mind and body.
We believe that the safety and per-
petuity of the nation depends upon the
decentralization and the orderly and
just conduct of all great Industries,
hence to advance such conditions is
the highest form Of patriotism.
We believe that chaotic business,
spasmodic, uncertain and inadequate
employment result in discOurag cement
in slothfulness and lack of ambition.
Such condition fosters cunning,
greed, avarice and all that is democrat
izing and unworthy in character; it
undermines faith and hope and renders
1t 1mDOSS1 pie TO FeallZe the Lord 5
prayer by the establishment of His
kingdom on earth even as it is in
heaven. Hence We believe it to be the
highest mission of government, and the
supremest duty of our age to secure
a just, equitable and immutabIe foun-
dalton for the industries of this great
republic.
We believe that the establishment of
such just and wise conduct of national
industries and of all governmental
affairs is entirely within easy attain
ment and does not involve revolution
airy or violent processes; that our con-
stitutiOn, our institutions, national,
state and local, need not to be over
turned or set aside, they need but to
be set to larger action and attuned to
finer impulses and higher ideals; to
action so broad as to embrace the ut
most need of every citizen and so fine
as to thrill to the faintest ''cry of
the human" To thus insure the life
of our nation, to rescue the periShing
and to raise high the standard of
American citizenship, we pledge our
selves to work through educational, So
cial and political methods.
An address issued to the women of
Kansas says:
We ask the women of Kansas to en-
gage with us in course of study of
the economic questions involved in the
present evolution of the industries of
the nation.
We ask you to organize Common
wealth clubs, or to induce some organ
a
to adopt the Commonwealth course of
study.
We ask you to be ready to hold
your first meetings, for the purpose of
study. all over the state on the last
day of August, at which time the les
son will be upon the question, What
is Socialism, The second meeting
should be on the last day of September,
the lesson on state Insurance. The
third meeting, the last day of Octo-
Der, lesson on state Ownership of
Stock Yards"
On the last day of November there
will begin a course of weekly meetings
to be continued during the winter and
largely upon the topics discussed in
Bellamy's Equality" Lesson
leaflets, carefully prepared, making
many suggestions and giving refer
ences to books which are to be con-
suited by members of the clubs, will
be furnished from the headquarters of
the State Commonwealth club, at To-
peka.
There will be a mid winter meeting
at Topeka, when some eminent ex-
New Time such as the Rev. George
d. Heron, the Rev. Myron Reed or
Henry D. Lloyd will be present This
will also partake of the nature
of an educational institute. There viii
be examinations upon topics of club
study and issuance of certificates.
which will be honorable mention of
qualifications for good citizenship.
A strictly nonpartisan attitude will
be preserved in the conduct of the club
allusiOn to political parties will be
deemed disloyalty to the spirit and pur-
pose of this club To know the truth
of history and to make honest effort to
improve the future must be the sincere
aim of club members.