The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-17
4 GOOD worn ron 1at1

There is usually such a disposition
among other Kansas towns to throw
stones at Topeka. largely from force OF
habit doubtless, that Topeka finds it
refreshing to discover something be-
sides a rock coming in this direction.
Topeka has no desire to crowd or be-
little other Kansas cities. In fact. To-
peka feels that it really. belongs to the
rest of the state, being the state capt
tai; and SO it has become accustomed to
being the target for the rocks It ap-
preeiates other things occasionally.
however, and it is therefore glad to note
these sensible remarks in the Wichita
Beacon:
The Topeka committee has deter
mineo to present its points to the legis-
lature and leave the semicentennial
plans in its hands.
Topeka realizes that the event is
larger than any city can shoulder and
it wisely unloads the proposition upon
the state.
Just after the election there was
heard threat that Topeka should be
punished for daring to give a majority
against the Repu DIican candidate for
governor. But probably the men who
uttered that foolish menace have since
seen the absurdity of it.
But Topeka evidently felt the threat
because she now insist that it is the
celebration and not the city of Topeka
that is uppermOSt. The committee even
goes so far as to say if the legislature
prefers Wichita or some other city to
Topeka, 1t will be all right.
Now Wichita would not antagonize
Topeka and if that city showed any feel
ing in the matter Wichita. would be
more likely to aid than to hinder. But
if it is a fact that the proposition for
semicentennia1 celebration is state wide
a nd Of he
Will reflect before advising the state to
enter upon a scheme which may prove
an expense to the taxpayers.
mo doubt an exposition Is a grand
thing for state and probably the pro-
posed one, which should be held at the
capital if held at all, would result in
the long run in profit to the state 1t
would simply be spending money for adj
vertfsing which would come back ten
fold in the following decade.
But the taxpayers are beginning to
find government too expensive. The
cost per capAla seems constantly in
creasing and the tremendous gain in
assets has been accompanied with cor
responding demands for governmental
purposes The tremendous growth in
wealth and taxable property does not
cut down the tax rate perceptibly.
isWhere shall the line be drawn
When shall the knife be used for prun-
fnr9 1t seems impossible to cut out any
past have become fixed and if the line
is to be drawn it must be on untried
grounds.
TT is only fair to add that the Topeka
committee offers a first lien on receipts
to the state to make good the appropri-
alton and the committee honestly be-
Heves that the appropriation would be
but a loan, but there is no guaranty to
this effect.
THE state should be ready to act this
winter IL at all because there is none too
much time to make arrangements If the
fair is to be held
This is a fair statement. The 1egisla-
ture should not. and viii not, undertake
the semicentennial proposition unless it
will be a benefit to the state. There Is
no doubt however, but what 1t will pay
for Itself many times over The cost
per individual will be infnitesimal, but
the results will be exceedingly beneficial
to the whole state.
The proposition should be carefully
considered in all its phases. and then
the whole state should pull together to
make the celebration a gigantic success.