The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-06

cumstances. The overruIing of the
Lake case in February, and the over
ruling of another decision on the
search and seizure ordinance, now
pending in the supreme court, will
make the enforcement of the ordi-
nances easy and effectual.
Mayor Bergundthal's administra-
ton has been energetic, honest, eff
ficient."
A circular of a more strenuous
nature has been issued by the ex-
ecutive committee in charge of the
Davis campaign. A large number of
these circulars were sent through the
mails late Saturday afternoon. On the
return card upon the outside of the
letter the following appears, ''W. H.
The executive committee who
signed the circular is made up of the
following gentlemen: w. F. School,
T. w. Harrison, w. E. Sterne, c. P.
Adams, Herbert L. Alkire, F. NJ. New
land and A. NJ. Fuller.
The circular follows:
To the citizens ofTopeka:
We desire to present few facts for
your careful consideration. 1t is well
known that the taxes IN this city have
been increased to such an extent that
they have become a gfieVouS burden.
They are so high that they have become
a serious menace tO-the future advance
ment of the city. Outside investors are
aStounded at the rates we pay and go
elsewhere to place their money Our
own citizens are selling their property
and investing the proceeds in other
cities. 1t is not pleasant to write or
read these things, but they are true,
and it rests with the people to remedy
the situation Regardless of the enor-
nous amount of taxes now collected the
city is running deeply into debt every
month Seventy-six per cent of last
years tax was paid in December. Eight
per cent will be uncollected, leaving only
sixteen per cent to be collected in June
St
December. There will be a deficit at
that time of about sixty-seven thousand
dollars In December, 1903, under the
present administra ton, SeVenty-nine
thousand one hundred dollars of bonds
were, issued to clean up the then exist
ing deficit Not very creditable rec
ord. This only refers to the ordinary
running expenses of the city. Unless
a remedy is found the taxes will be
higher this year, next year and so on
until property will depreciate in value
instead Of increasing as it should.
During the past ten years the
amount of taxes levied by the city for
city purposes, per year, outside of the
school tax and that paid by abutting
property owners for paving and sewers,
has advanced from $19S,0S2.2S in 1894 to
SPAS, 059 "a in 1904 and even with this
great increase the city is running be-
hind $4,000 each year.
We believe a move in the right di-
rectiOn will be to nominate Mr.. W. H.
Davis. He has lived in Topeka nearly
all his life. He has shown wonderful
business ability. The Parkhurst- Davis
Mercantile company is the pride of ev-
cry citizen and is well known through
out the west. His great experience as
business man in the office of mayor viii
be of inestimable value to the city. Tt
will restore confidence at home and in
spire faith outside. He will run a. clean
city, reduce the expenses and taxes,
and by so doing we believe, the popu-
lation can be materially increased with
in two years.
Topeka has voted to purchase the
waterworks plant and the problem of
its successful management is to be
solved. We believe Mr.. Davis has the
necessary business capacity to do this
Mr. Davis did not want to run for
mayor 1t was only after a large num-
Der of the truest friends OF Topeka
urged him to make the race that he
consented. They wanted him to be
mayor because he. has clean record as
an honorable man that cannot be as
sailed; and, having made success OF
his own business. he can successfully
handle the affairs of the city
I'VE now make a direct appeal to you
to give your earnest support to Mr..
Davis"