The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-17
DIR. BLISS, ADDREsS.
President of Social Reform Union
Speaks In Topeka


An interesting meeting of the To-
peka Social Reform Union was held
last evening at the old court lihouiS.s
The principal address OF the evening
was made by Rev. W. d. P Bliss, of
AIhaun bra California, president of the
Social Reform Union and one of its
prime movers Other addresses were
made by Thomas E. viii, J. W. Breid-
enthal and Mrs. Annie L. Diggs.
T. J. Maxwell, president of the To-
peka Union called the meeting to or
der and introduced DR.. Bliss who said:
There is a large need of proper op-
portunity for social reform work Two
things are needed first an education of
the people along the reform ideas and
second a union TO band US together.
There is a very large per cent of the
people who are very much in favor of
a social reform but have no Opportuni-
ty to carry out their plans and ideas.
They have lost faith in the various
political parties and have come to the
true belief that such union is the
only way to acquire that great end, di-
rect legislation.
Those who believe in our views and
see the great need of this reform, are
already clamoring for something to be
done. Many say that it will be best to
organize a new party, not a political
party in any sense of the word, but a
party which will do away with all
spOils Of office and work for the good
of all. Such a party Is the Social Re
form party, when it is organized and
becomes strong enough to hold its own.
1t will be a non-partisan party and will
be made up of men of all creeds of pol
tiles"
Thomas E. viii, president Of the
College of Social Science, spoke briefly
as follows: 1T is time that we are at
work on this reform movement. We
must begin to educate the people and
that at once. I find that comparatively
few of the people can or do take ad-
vantage of the higher education offer
Il A..
to go to college. Others have not the
necessary money to carry them
through. We hope to remedy this, by
bringing the college to these people and
in this way educate them along the re-
form ideas. The college at Boston is
liberal in its ideas and will teach both
sides of the question. We are here to
educate and show to the people that
the reform idea. is the only true one for
them to follow. We will show to them
both sides and let them choose. We
have mapped out five ways in which
we hope to reach our desired end in
educating the people:
''First-Teaching that is, classroom
work with students who attend the in
stitution.
''Second-Correspon Through
this many who are unable to attend
school or college will find an opportuni-
ty to study under the direction of spec
ialists.
''Third-Extension, sending the lee
turer to the people when the people
cannot come to the lecturer.
"Fourth-Research. The growth and
ravages of municipal monopolies and
of trusts demand that the facts con-
corning these vast economic aggrega-
lions shall be put into Intelligent
shape. Experts will devote themselves
to this work.
Decentralization Plan whereby the
facts brought together by the investi-
gators can be promptly given to mil
lions of readers through the press.
I'VE are only few months old in
our organization but the people are not
backward in taking up this reform
move"
J. W. Breidenthal said: ct believe
that our only salvation is in educating
the people. We must reach the people,
and especially those who have not
heretofore been reached. The reform
move is the movement in the right di-
rection and is bound to succeed. We
must blot out the party lines and have
a nOn-partisan union which will work
for the good of all and not for the ben
eft of a few. I will assist the move
in any way that I can"
Annie l. Diggs: when we begin
this work in earnest intend to devote
a great deal of my spare time to it.
I want to see this organization a sue
cess. All illusions to politics must be
left out and eliminated from ourselves
and our meetings"