The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-11
THINK OVER THIS.


recent date thus reviews the flood sit
uatioE in Kansas. and the aid that has
been given those who suffered from it:
1.-The kind words we were moved to
write when the rains descended and the
| floods came upon the KaW valley and
the people of Kansas appealed to their
neighbors for immediate help in re-
| lieving the suffering and destitute do
not seem to have been warranted by
subsequent happenings. Among other
| things we expressed the belief that
Kansas would not for moment be
| willing to look to others for any thing
she could do or provide for her own
people and that as soon as the agencies
| of self help could be set in motion they
would be found equal to any demand
which might be made upon them.
/ Gov. Bailey seems to have had good
opinion of the people of his own state
as it gave us pleasure to express. AS
soon as possible he called an extra
session of the legislature to consider
the situation and devise means for re-
| lieving the suffering in the flooded dis
trict. 1t was expected that the legiS-
lature would make an emergency ap-
/ preparation of at least So, 900. 1t
passed a few local bills authorizing
counties to issue bonds, appropriated
$4,000 to cover mileage and per diem
expenses of the members and adjourned
| having done nothing to meet the neces-
stiles of the 10000 people rendered
| homeless by the inundation and left
with nothing but the clothes they were
would seem almost unnecessary. Kan
sas is and always was freak state. 1t
| claims to raise more crank5 and i'm
/ possible people generally to the acre
than any other state in the Union, and
the claim is not disputed. 1t may be
counted on to do the unexpected when
ever opportunity is offered. When
flood, or drouth, or grasshoppers, make
Y 11Na -
| is to be hoped that the satisfaction its
| legislators now derive from the econo-
my of willing dependence upon the out
side help in case of need will not be
remembered to the disadvantage of it's
people"
This is pretty severe. but have we not
given occasion for this kind of talk in
view of our boosted bank accounts and
| bursting barns?
The New York Times is one of the
ablest and most influential newspapers
of the country. 1t has a high standing
in New York city, especially among
men identified with financial interests
1t is a paper free from sensationalism
and exceedingly careful in its news and
editorial columns.
The comment quoted above may be
taken as a sample of what eastern
newspapers are thinking of Kansas and
every Kansan who goes east may expect
to meet this same kind of feeling and be
received in this attitude. 1t is difficult
and practically impossible for eastern
people to divest themselves of the belief
that the people of the state were able to
take care of their own sufferers and are
willing dependents upon outside help"
1t is certainly humiliating to Kansans
that the Times early expression is now
regarded by that paper as unwarranted.
That expression was the belief that THE
people of Kansas would not for a mo-
ment be willing to look to others for
anything she could do or provide for her
own people and that as soon as the
agencies for self help could be set in
motion it would be found equal to any
demand"
This whole trouble to the state, as the
State Journal has pointed out from the
beginning, is due to the unfortunate and
unnecessary appeal for outside aid. The
people of Kansas from the very worst of
the high waters were fully able and in
deed willing to meet all the distress but
in the excitement of the moment the
great desire to get quick and ample aid
to the flood sufferers, the country and
the world were appealed to and, of
course, not in vain for the country is
generous and prompt to respond to the
cry of distress, especially when mingled
with despair.
The New York Times, of course not
being in touch with the exact situation,
does an injustice to the governor and
| the legislature for the reason that when
the latter assembled the distress was re-
lieved, or was amply provided for by
| the money and assistance which did
come in from our own state and from
the outside and by legislation enacted
by the special session giving counties
full and complete authority to relieve
any distress not met by individuals and
relief organizations.
This paper having opposed with its
best efforts the appeal for outside aid
later advocated that the legislature ap-
propriate an amount equal to that
which came from the outside for re-
turn to the east with thanks for it's
generosity and promptness. This to be
a fund not to return any of the actual
money sent to relieve distress. but to
make good the amount, thus not depriv-
/ ing any sufferer from any money con-
tributed from any source but merely
making good to the generous givers
| from the outside the aid sent US, the
fund to be retained for other emergen-
cies and start an endless chain for the
immediate help of the distressed in any
portion of the country visited by sud
den food. fire or storm.
The legislature failing to do this, now
puts the matter in the hands of the in
dividual. In passing it may be noted
that the idea of the legislature was that
the distress being relieved in the main,
any proposed appropriation for aid
would probably demand larger appro-
priation for distribution to sufferers and
might encourage unworthy and demor-
aIa