The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-28
PUBLIC UTILITIES.

Whether Rev. Charles M. Sheldon re-
ceived inspiration from on high, or alb
sorbed it from reading heather history,
the fact that the public drinking foun-
tain that today runs an ample stream
of clear, cold water, of which any and
everybody can imbibe freely and fully,
is a monument to Mr.. Sheldon's gen
erosity that should be an incentive to
others to emulate. While / do not
think that these benefcences should be
erected by private enterprise and gen
erosity, l do think that more private
money put into such public blessings
would rebound to the credit of the in
dividual with more force and efficacy
than monuments in cemeteries inscribed
with epitaphs and emblazoned with
hieroglyphies that may be pleasing to
the eve but not selacing the stomach
of the thirsty beholder. do not object
to cemeteries being beautified-they
should be-but the rich man Dives
would have given whole -co1onrades Of
monuments to Lazarus if l.. would have
sprinkled D. s burning brow with lit
tie, ever so little, of the linpid fluid
that spreads over three-fourths of our
globe in oceans lakes and river, and
that has not. yet been captured by the
trusts-that is, not all Of it. Yes, sir,
as stingy as I am, I freely part with
my benediction upon the head of
Charles NJ. Sheldon for his generosity
in giving to the public that beautiful
and refreshing fountain that gushes for
all, at the very spot where its blessing
is most needed.
Topeka is a beautiful city and pro-
gressive in everything excepting the
utilities that the heather in his blind
x-ac ,,,oc+ ,,ro1ifo iY7-,,,,l1lio 11ti]j
ties. The ancient public baths and els
terms, and retiring booths, were his
tolical monuments of beneficence that
will never permit the modern estimate
of bestialfty and corruption of the times
of Nero and antedating him and sue
cessive monarchs to obliterate those
considerate and humanitarian practices
Of the ungodly Mohammedans. Arabs
and Hindoos. We can emulate, in some
simple manner, the idea, if not the stu
pendous works of ancient times, even
though it is humiliating to our pride to
copy ideas from the ''heathe who bows
down to wood and stone'-always with
clean feet. Now, since Mr.. Sheldon, an
individual, has set the example, think
that all that is necessary is to call the
attention of the city railway corpora
ton to the much needed eesta blfshment
transfer station for the accommodation
of at least the patrons Of their cars.
believe it should be done at the ex-
pense of the city railway corporation,
which should be as considerate of the
needs of its patrons as the railroad
corporations and hotels are of theirs. 1t
may be objected that it would be an
expense to the company that would not
return compensa ton. No matter-it is
not a question of reciprocation in dol
lars and cents, but it is a serious ques-
ton of humanity that should be met
and cheerfully solved by the company.
The city sanitary force should be en-
powered to regulate and care for that
utility
Then. Topelxa. as a city, should have
a system of drinking fountains and re-
firing rooms throughout the city With
such system, under the surveillance
and vigilance of the sanitary and po-
lice force, Topeka would be really what
she seems to be-the most beautiful
and benevolent city in America
w H CALDWELL.
T,-fx- 1on0