The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-19

people whose comfortable and elegant
homes are all around US, whose
churches grace nearly every avenue.
whose school bells fill the air with
music, pealing forth tidings of hope,
culture and promise of the youth, whose
business interests are second to no city
in the state, whose well known reputa-
ton for all that is moral, progressive
and substantial and which needs no
advocates, is a task at once pleasing
and difficult. Pleasing because of the
wealth of suggestion on every hand, and
difficult because the capital city has
not reached the hilltop of excellence,
and he who would speak for her must
have the future in mind and at least
some ability of suggestion in reference
thereto.
To my mind three things are essential
to the growth of any community. The
first one is a general feeling of security.
Where this does not prevail there is
always dissatisfaction. Every citizen
has a right to protection in his home
and business; to walk the streets unmo-
Tested; to sleep without unnecessary
fear at night; to get an honest dollars
worth, not only when he buys privately
but also when he pays his taxes. The
teachers of his children, the street over
which he passes and all the public util-
tiles which he uses, either upon his
own notion or by cOmpulSion, should be
worth to him all they cost, and to pro-
vide these is a function of government,
and no government can be called good
which does not do all in its power to
rights.
The next essential to growth is the
putting away of everything bordering
upon a too intense partisanship. L
need not tell you that 1 am a Republic
can and that believe in the wisdom of
Republican principles. Others are
equally pronounced in their adherence
and love for rival opinions. 1 see moth
ing wrong in this, but as even the hus-
band and wife may differ politically and
yet work together harmoniousIy and in
dustriously in the proper rearing of
their children and making of a home, SO
L believe that men and women of all
parties should and may combine for
the best interests of the community in
which they live.
The next and last thing I shall men
ton as essential to growth is public
spirit. 1t is easy to confine our think
ing and doing to that which is of inn
mediate personal interest, but nothing
can yield better returns in eitherprivate
or general concerns than generosity.
An old shack may rent for better in
| terest on it's value than a new building,
| but old shacks are hinderances to pro-
| erosion for all that.
Properly appointed parks would cost
| a good deal of money, but sanitary
| and social agencies they would be well
worth all they cost. A park in what is
known as Smoky Row and better
dwelling houses around about it would
| do more than hundred policemen to
| redeem that locality.
Gentlemen may think I utter
| these words without due considera ton
or hope of seeing their fulfllment. In
| this they are mistaken. Unless the
| signs of the times deceive me, we are
upon the eve of a period of more than
| usual prosperity. The very spirit of ex-
| tension is upon US. Our late war has
| made national expansion a necessity.
| Everywhere municipalities are enlarg-
| ing their borders. Smoke is pouring