The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-08
TIE IMMORTALITY.

Nominations for city candidates be-
fore the Republican primaries closed
at noon today.
w. H. Davis. one Of the most promi-
nent and successful business men in
the city. has today announced his can
didacy for mayor. It is not known
what his platform win be. Mr.. Davis
himself says he has not thought much
about it. He was opposed to the mu-
nicipal ownership of the waterworks,
but in a brief interview today declares
that he favors carrying out the ex-
pressed wishes of the people along
those lines.
1t is not often that men of such
high character, prominence and sue
cess as w. H. Davis will consent to
run for the Office Of mayor. Ordinari-
" when they do there should be
unanimous support behind him. 1t is
unfortunate for a town to engage in
too many quarrels, even over politics.
a few days ago, even when the time
for the fling of nominations was
drawing to a close, there seemed to
be general disposition to avoid a
struggle over the question of mayor
this spring, and to permit Mr.. Ber-
gundthal to be renOminated and re-
elected, especially to carry out the
final conclusion and successful opera
ton Of city ownership and control Of
the waterworks. This question has
been a most important one for many
years and its solution is almost at
hand. Any cause which might defeat
that end now would be most unfor-
tunate in the future.
The State Journal is under no per-
sonal obligations of any kind or nature |
to the present mayor, nor has it any
expectations of any favors in the fu-
ture. 1t simply believed, with what
seemed to be majority of the citi-
zens, that under the circumstances it
was better for Topeka's welfare to re-
nominate Mayor BergundthaI, and last |
month the following appeared in these
columns:
There is pronounced position on
the part of the Topeka masses to avoid |
if possible a hair pulling and blood /
curdling city contest at the forthcom-
ing spring election.
This would mean that there is a de-
sire upon the part of more than a ma
1ority of the people to rename Mayor I
Bergundthal for the office which he now
holds. He has not claimed to be
brilliant man in the executive chair,
but there are qualities which count for
more than briIliancy. He is very gen
orally regarded as a safe man not given
to radical measures. but with a general
desire to do what is best for the city
and its welfare.
His honesty OF purpose and his
anxiety to do what is best for the
capital city are unquestfoned These
are important above personal ambitions
and above special issues.
Topeka is fortunate in having few
municipal scandals. The community
loves honesty and conscientious effort
on the part of its officials to do and |
stand for its best interests meets with
general endorsement
while the mayor has not pleased
everybody, there is really little that can
be said in criticism of his official acts
except in those upon which is q differ
ence of opinion as to his duty
There seems to be a general willing
ness to give him another term and an
opportunity to complete the solution of
a number of important problems which
are pending at the present time
Among these may be mentioned the
final turning over of the WaterWorks
and its operation under city control |
Another problem is the reconstruction
of the pavements on our main thor
oughfares. More than four-fifths of the
paved streets of Topeka are In first
class condition. but a number of the
main streets, Kansas avenue. Sixth
street and a few blocks on Eighth and
Tenth demand early consideration and |
this is occupying the serious attention
of the mayor and council at this time
Mr. Bergundthals integrity expert
ence and his desire to further the vel