The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-11
MR. BR1aHAM's REPORT.
President of Commercial Club Re-
views Work of That Organization.

President of Commercial Club Re-
views Work of That Organization.
The year just closed has been one of |
great activity in the Topeka CONNER |
cla1 club, which last evening held its
annual meeting. The erection of the |
auditorium, the reception of the Tween |
ueth Kansas, and many matters of |
minor interest to the city in general,
nave been pushed to successful Gull
mlnation by the club, and there is prob
ably not a city of equal size in the
United States with an organization
equal to the Topeka Commercial club
for enthusiasm.
In his annual report to the club last
evening President Brigham reviewed
the work of the club at length. He said:
Tonight marks the close Of the most
successful year in the history of this
body; the most successful because of
the influence and strength that the pre-
cedlng years of its life have enabled
it to gather.
Should the members of this club,
upon this the close of the fourth year
of its existence, see fit to disband, to
abandon its existence as an organized
body, it would leave as a. result of its
four years life record that is destined
to be interviewer in the history of To-
peka, and it would leave as a monu-
ment, that handsome structure now be-
ing built on Quincy street, that would
insure the perpetuation of it's memory
come.
1.-THE past year records an epoch in
our citys history; it has seen the pas
sage across the line that divides hope
and realization; it has marked the diff
ference between the puerile I must
and the sturdy, aSSertive I WILL and
with the will has come the way, and
what was a short time ago a dream of
future greatness as a convention city
with the many advantages that must
follow in it's train, has become as an
open door and ourselves within it's por-
tai
This has been, perhaps, the particu-
lar undertaking of the year just clos
ing, and I am certain that none of you
would gainSay the statement that the
successful elimination of the auditor
ium project alone, would be no small
measure of glory for US, but the credit
IS perhaps in a, degree minimized by the
| success of the reception rendered the
Twentieth Kansas upon its return from
the Philippines. The result attendant
upon our efforts in this particular was
only attained through an expenditure
of months of labor, the real extent of
which is only known to those who
| worked so long, faithfully and unself-
iShly, to bring it about. The credit ac-
| corded us, not only by the press of New
| York, Boston, Chicago and other lead
| ing eastern cities, but by the newspa-
pers of our state, which have hitherto
been but Spar1ng IN their praise OF our
undertakings, but who impelled by the
| signal success in the conduct of the
| states tribute to her gallant warriors
| through the citizens of her capital city.
| have been unStinted in their efforts to
| recognize the patriotism and public
| spirit eVinced by this city upon that oc-
/ caSion, and in this connection I want
/ to remind you that the record that To-
| peka made on the second of last No
/ vember demonstrated to the people of
/ the state her ability to handle a. crowd,
! and it will stand her in good stead upon
| the occasion of her demonstration next
| September.
1.-THE securing of the Democratic ban
| Quet, at which was gathered many of
the leaders of the Democratic party, an
| event of national Importance, is worthy
| of mention, as is also the selection of
| Topeka as the meeting place in 1900 of
| the National Conference Of Charities
| and Correction.
| THE securing at the recent session of
the legislature of appropriations aggre-
eating nearly 100000 for permanent i'm
| provementS and additions to state prop
| erty in Topeka and Shawnee county,
| was brought about through the efforts
| of the Shawnee county delegation which
| was ably headed by Secretary Ander-
| son of this club and to whom notable
service was rendered by our commit
| tee on state and national legislation
| and backed by the individual influence
| of every active member of the club.
| eOn May 18th last the initial step
| looking to securing more advantageous
! freight rates for our shippers was tax
| en-, and while I am unable to report
| more than progress, I am able to re-
| port that and to feel justified in pre-
| dieting that a. continuation of the work
| along the lines undertaken, by the in
| coming administration will result in Sc
| curing the justice at the hands of the
| railroads that is so essential to the up@
building of our wholesale interests.
I'VE have inaugurated during the
year, the preliminary plans for the cele-
bration of the Semi-centennial of the
city of Topeka in 1904, and it is believed
that much will be accomplished during
the coming year toward a successful
elimination of those plans
During the past year a special COM
| rnittee on good roads was appointed
| which has made a start looking to an
improv ement of the highways leading
| into the city. Sufficient interest has
been aroused to impell Oak Grange il
Mission township to commence the work
| of organization for the improvement OF
the roads throughout the county. Ev-
cry effort possible should be exerted
/ by this club to render assistance in the
work of organization and the develop
nent of plans that will result in giving
to the people of Shawnee county roads
| that will be passable throughout this
[ year. This is a work affecting vitality
| both the rural and urban population OF
} | the county, and one in which both ele
ments can most advantageously WorI
| hand in hand. The letting of the con
! tracts and the completion of the larger
part of fifty-one blocks Of vitrifieC
/ brick pavement during the year, tbs