The Topeka state journal., 1905-04-21

But it is well to inquire into what COM
mercialism really means, as there is
a good eommercialism and a bad com
nercialism..
There is the commereiaIism that is
self-seeking, grasping and forgets the
obligations it owes to those with whom
it is transacting business. That COM
mercialism is vicious. If that is the
kind which is growing up we want to
turn our backs upon 1t and go back,
if necessary, to the days of the stage
coach in order to get a fresh start
along right lines.
But it may be of a different sort
If it means real progress and endeav-
ors to bring out all of the best there
is in human nature; if it makes money
the servant, not the master and
makes money so that money may do
something in the community, then
teach the boys and girls to seek after
it.
"I have here been brought face to
face with problems that require Sc
rious study and thought. All through
the middle west an industrial revolu-
ton is now in progress. The question
for US is how to make the most of it.
Has Been Too Much Politics.
''It seems that we have lost sight Of
some of the fundamental principles in
dealing with these problems. We have
been playing politics and too much
politics. We have devoted ourselves to
organizations, not for what they will
accomplish, but for What we can get
out of them. It is time for US to get
back to the things Of the spirit the
things of heart and mind. The fore
most question should be a question of
duty rather than a question of rights.
We should consider what we have to
do to gain our own ends, and not in-1
jure others. We might remember
that the other fellow has not only a
right to live but that we must throw
no obstacles in his way.
We don't want paternalisrn, which
destroys the individual, and does
things for him which he could do
much better himself, but we do want
that governmental supervision, either
control or regulation, which will give
him an equal opportunity to run the
race of his life.
when we go along a transporta-
ton line. we want to feel that each
patron is getting what is due him, and
nothing more. Discrimination must be
done away with. What is needed is
publicity in the beginning, not the in
fiction of a penalty after a wrong has
been done. If the purposes are not
hidden. we feel that we are not dis
eliminated against when we deal with
that person or corporation. If there
is no discrimination there will he no
complaint.
The business men of the country
such as those who are here tonight, |
can do much to bring this about, by
giving to the governmental authorities
the fullest information which they
possess regarding methods of doing
business. If there is to be a sub
stantial REFORM it must be based on
full knowledge and full information"
The dinner was opened with an in
vocation by Rev. Albert Bushnell. At
its conclusion, after the announcemen ent
of the nominating committee for the
coming year, President Reynolds in /
troduced W. r. Stubbs, speaker of the |
1raET 1f T. aGA ra- Tesrr+
lature. He complimented the business /
men of Kansas City. as represented in |
the club He spoke of the house
cleaning" which had been made in !
especially to the elimination OF
graft in the state printing and the
state board of charities. He was fol- |
lowed in a short talk by Ewing Her |
bert. the Hiawatha, Kan, editor.
Prohibition Attacked.
Congressman David A. DeArmond, of
the Sixth Missouri district. was the
first speaker on the regular toast PRO
gramme. He was billed to talk on
odds and Ends"
He spoke of the great future which |
seemed to present itself to Kansas |
City, a city of great promise, and OF
sure fulf1llment of the great promise of
today.
In referring to the fact that there
were speakers on the programme from
botL Kansas ana Iowa. ne look 0cGa- /
sion caustioally to critieise the people
Of those states for having prohibitory
liquor laws. which do not prohibit ad-
vising them to follow B1issoUri's exam
pie in the matter. He spoke of the diff
ference between real and false reforms /
in dealing with the trusts and other
subjects, declaring that real reforms
had been accomplished both in Kansas /
and Missouri.
There are certain combinations OF
GA nit al ,s,,t,
a real menace to the safety of the re-
public, and it may be necessary to up
root entire some of these organizations. |
which cannot live and thrive and the
spirit of republican institutions live and
thrive at the same time"
Lafe YOung's Keep at It.
Lafayette Young. of Des Noines. ed
ltor of the Iowa State Capital. was in
Iodneed as the man who nominated
Roosevelt in the Philadelphia conVen-
non non He was assigned the subject. /
Keep At It" Incidentally rapping
both kansans and 6Iissourians. he
started with a humorous apostrophe to
those good ole days when there
Masn' any octopus and wasn't any
am not worrying about present
economic conditions" he said. ANY
man nan who lived on hominy while he
91Le lLoNe 10 miles to mill can endure the
u DIeaAIast foods which we have now
ne then paid a strong tribute to the
youag men Of the country, including
speelIicaIiy the speaker of the evening.
ana declared that while the country is