The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-23

1t at headquarters, SO that Steps can
be taken to alleviate the misery; and
have reason to believe that there has
in consequence a very general uplift-
ing, general increase of happiness,
throughout the district.
IF we had a sufficient number of
clubs of this kind throughout our
great cities, while we would not by any
means have solved all of the terrible
problems that press upon us for solu-
ton in connection with municipal mis-
government and with the overcrowdings
misery. vice, disease and poverty of
great cities yet we would have taken
a long stride forward in the right d.
rection. So much for the example that
1 use to illustrate what j mean by work
in com bination-
las an example of what can be done
and should be done by the association,
/ shall mention something that recently
occurred in this city of Washington, a
thing that doubtless many of you know
about but which was unknown to me
until recently A few weeks ago, when
1 was walking back from church, one
Sunday, noticed a great fire and found
that it was Downey's livery stable
you recoilect it, three or four weeks
ago Through a train of circumstances
that / will not mention, my attention
was particularly called to the case, ana
1 looked into it. 1 had long known of
the very admirable work done with
singular modesty and self-effacement
by Mr.. Downey, in trying to give homes
and to be himself a friend of those in
a sense friendIess in this community,
and l. by accident, found out what hap
pened in connection with this particular
incident.
1T appears that last spring Mr.. Dow
ney started to build new stable, hrs
stable is next door to a colored Baptist
church. Mr.. Downey is a white man
and a Catholic, and these neighbors or
his are colored and Baptists. and their
kinship was simply the kinship of that
hot -In
all our feelings toward one another Mr.
Downey started to build his stable,
wanted to have it as big stable as
possible, and build it right up 70 the
limits Of his land. That brought the
wall close up against the back of the
colored Baptist church, cutting out the
light and air The preacher called upon
him and told him that they would IKE
to purchase a strip six feet broad OF
the ground of Mr.. Downey, upon which
he was intending to build, as it would
be a great inconvenience to them 10
lose the light and air. That they We're
aware it was asking a good deal or MIN
to cramp the building, out of which he
intended to make "a living, but thar
they hoped he would do it because or
their need.
After a good deal of thought Mr.. Dow
ney came 10 the conclusion that he ought
to grant the request and so ne notlned
make a somewhat smaller building ana
sell them six feet of land in the strip ad-
joining their church. AFTER a little WhIle
the preacher came around with the truS-
tees of his church and said they very
much appreciated Mr.. Downeys courtesy
and We're sorry that they had bothered
him as they had, because on looking INTO
the affairs of the church they found that
as they We're already in debt they did not
feel warranted in mourning any further
obligations, and so they had to withdraw
their request. They thanked him for MS
kindly purpose and said goodbye.
But Mr.. Downey found he could not
get to sleep that night until finally ne
had made up his mind that as they could
not buy it, he would give it to them. any
way (applause), which he did. But fortu-
nately, we knew that the tower of ST.
loan often falls upon the just and the I'M
just alike, and Mr.. Downey's livery sta
Bile caught fire and burned down. 1t was
said that that morning the Baptist church
was in session next door to him and the
clergyman stopped and said: Now, you
women stay here and pray. and YOU men
go straight out and help our benefactor,
Mr.. Downey. And go out they did, and
got his horses all but, so that none of
them was burned, although he suffered
otherwise a total loss. Now, 1 call that
practical application of Mr.. Wagner's
teachings. Here in Washington we have
a right to be proud of a citizen like Mr..
Downey, and if only we can develop
enough such citizens we shall turn out
just the kind of community that does not
need, but will always be glad to study
The Simple Life whose author / now in
troduce to you" (Applause)