The Topeka state journal., 1903-06-17
TEE sPEcIAL sEssIoN.

follow TINS action. The governor simply
did his plain duty In view of the con-
ditions he did what was absolutely es-
sentiaI
Any attempt to enact any legislation
separate from that made necessary by
the floods should be frowned upon.
nipped in the bud and sent into obliv>
ion-to say nothing Of the future dis
position of the legislator who attempts
to profit by the accident of the states
disaster
The governor may be materially aided
by the creation of sentiment of this
kind and be spared the use of his veto
club. which he will most assuredly
swing with an ugly swirl, should an
ungracious senator or member invite 1t.
It matters not how worthy the cause.
how advantageous the act-cut it out.
unless it is a specific, necessary food
measure. The line must be drawn and
drawn sharply. or an avalanche will be
started and a session which should be
concluded in day be prolonged In
definitely and create precedents which
might be disastrous to future emerg-
encies.
No member or employe of the legisla-
ture need ask cent for his services.
If he be too poor and uncharitable 10
donate these to the state at this time,
in honor of the flood sufferers, and as
an earnest of his interest and SYM
pathy. he is too poor to be in politics. or
I&S-I, 90 - ,f
erous state.
The proclamation is published else
where in this issue. The convention is
named in view of the vast amount of
property destroyed by the recent floods
for the purpose of enabling counties
and other municipalities to build neces-
sary bridges
In the judgment of the State Journal,
following this proclamation, a warm
vote of thanks should be extended to
those generous individuals. corpora
tions and communities which so quick
ly sent their liberal donations to tbs
flood sufferers of the state. Accom-
panying this heartfelt gratitude of our
people should be notice to the country
and to the world that we are now able
to fully and promptly take care of
our own distress and that we
deeply sympathize with other
communities in other portions OF
the country meriting aid following
terrible floods. storms and drouths.
When the high waters of the last of
May and the beginning of June so sud
denly came upon the rich valley of the
Kansas river and the towns and viii
lagos therein the disaster seemed to
many overwhelming.
There was no way of immediate relief
except by the volunteer contributions of
the more fortunate for the unfortunate.
Many of our own people responded
first and literally. There was senti-
ment that outside aid should also at
once be evoked and accordingly it was
asked.
With today's proclamation of the gov
ernor the point of view from outside
the state will be Immediately changed.
wealths in the Union without dollar of
debt; with a most abundant harvest of
wheat ready for the reaper: with its
banks full of money and with ample
credit and resources at its own beck
The sure and certain view of the out
side world will be. now if Kansas is in
such dire extremity and the people of a
portion of that great state need assist
ance to relieve their distress and re-
establish them in their avocations and
pursuits, that western empire now has the
machinery for relieving every form of
need, namely, the legislature. with its
power to appropriate and draw upon the
states finances and give any needed
authority to municipalities
We must recognize that this will be
the view It is merely the natural one
and an expression of average human na-
ture
In this statement we do not overlook
or fail to commend that great humanity
and kindness which swell the hearts
and fill the breasts of the hosts of no
BILE people of the United States who de-
light to send first aid to the unfortu-
nate. who are proud to relieve distress
and who exemplify the truth that it is
more blessed to give than to receive.
So far as the State Journal is con-
cerned. we do not believe that state aid
is necessary. But if wiser eounsels say
that more money will be needed than
we can contribute. by all means let the
state contribute it to itself, to the suf-
fering people therein. rather than ask
the people of other states to help us of
another community.
We believe the people of Topeka and
Shawnee county can take care Of their
own sufferers. We have already done