The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-01


have for many years supported the
proposition, that all who do may or
must bear any part of the burden of
government, are entitled to an un-
limited right of suffrage; that is, I be-
l1eNe the purposes of government will
be better served and accomplished by
an universal adult suffrage. Beyond
doubt or dispute, political, social and
moral conditions have been greatly i'm
proved, since women have in our state
been given a limited right of suffrage,
and I am confident that such condi-
tions will be yet more improved, when
women are given an until. ited suffrage,
which is hers in equity and will ulti-
mately be hers in law.
[ beg only further to submit a brief
outline of what I have supported and
believe to be for the best interest and
welfare of the city in the future, in
the line of an aggressive, energetic,
business administrations: The most
rigid economy possible in all depart
ments of the city business, consistent
with the maintenance of a good public
service; the lowest possible taxes, con-
sistent with outstanding obligations Of
the city, the needs Of the city, and
such an amount of public i'm
provements as will not increase in any
one year the Improvement bond in
GebtedneSS of the city. but Will make
some public improvements for the city
and will give employment to the labor
of the city; the reduction of the water
rates. with all consumers on a meter
basis, such reduction to be made after
further improven ents and betterments
of the plant have been completed, and
probably within three years from the
acquisition of the plant the rebuilding
or Improvement of the city electric
light plant, making it adequate to the
| demands of the city; the submission to
/ the people, under the laws Of 1905, of
a proposition to handle the water and
city electric lighting plants by water
and light commission, under civil SER
vice rules, on a solid business basis, and
removed permanently from all political
| interference. The purchase and oper-
alton by the city Of a small portable
asphalt repair plant, costing $500 or
/ $500. to repair or patch such part OF
our old asphalt as is worth repairing;
the city treasurer should collect all
city funds direct from the taxpayer;
new or modified and improved system
| of accounting should be adopted and
used by the city; a civil service de-
partment should be created for the
city all employees to hold places on
merit only and be removed only for
cause; the health interest Of the city is
! in the hands Of the sanitary depart
ment, and in order to be effective, the
supervision of the work of this depart
ment must be rigid and thorough, in
order to protect health and life; the
city should have, as soon as financial
conditions will permit, a department
for the inspection and testing of
weights and measures, all food prod
ucts, gas, electric current and water.
and for testing meters of the latter
three. This could be an enlarg ement
of the Office of food inspector; there
should be a slight modification OF the
law as to paving, or repaVing petitions
and resolutions.
The semioentennial of 1911. is mat
ter of vast Importance to the city and
as such commands every effort posi-
bic in its behalf. For part Of the
a bove outlined for the city, some new
| Legislation is necessary, and I am con-
fident that on possible proper showing
and effort such needed legislation can
be secured from the next legislature.
Finally. fellow citizens. men and WO-
men. believing that my record is fair,
I come to you on the basis hereinbefore
outlined, and humbly solicit your sup
port for this nomination. ] have made
no pledges or promises, except as be-
fore stated, and shall make none. As
a Kansan, interested in the good name
and welfare of my own beloved state
and in the political. educational and
moral progress. as well as commercial
life, of our capital city, the Greater To-
peka. I beg to solicit your favor and
support, and pledge you only and all
that is possible and consistent, loyalty
to the flag, which in the language. of
Holy Writ, concerning love, is the full
filling Of the law.
Ny native land. turn to you.
With blessing and with prayer;
Where man is brave and woman true,
And free as mountain air.
Long may our flag IN triumph wave
Against the world combined.
And friends a welcome-foes a grave,
Within our borders find.
Very respectfully
'(Sfgned) S. A SWENDSON.
Topeka, Kan, october 1, 1905.