The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-27
KANSAS COAAENT
A GOOD INVESTMENT.


Every year sees some section of this
country greatly damaged by foods. So
great is the devastation, and so varied,
1t is difficult to reckon the cost by
collars and cents, but, including all
damages, the waste of soil, and the
depreciation of land values because
located In a region subject to foods,
the loss probably aggregates hundreds
OF millions annually.
ana 1t has been stated by men of
nigh rank in engineering circles that
for other hundreds of millions a sys-
tenn OF dams and lakes could be estab-
lished near the headwaters of the
great river, which would practically
eliminate floods. but. as yet. nothing
mas been done. 1t is also well known
that the conservation of forests will
heIp the situation in the future, and
reforestation of tracts already strip
ped Will also help. A waterways COM
mission has been established, 1t is
true. but the urgency of relief seems
In excess OF apparent action. Now is
a good time to talk of floods, to make
their prevention an Issue" If neces-
sary, in order that those in power
may take action.-Atchison Globe.
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
There died at vicksburg, Miss, the
other day. Stephen D. Lee, one of the
last Confederate generals of high
rank, and at the time of his death
commander-in-chie of the United
Confederate Veterans. It is a striking
incident Of the changed relations be-
tween the north and the south that
his death was fastened, If not directly
caused, by the excitement and effort
due to entertaining a party of north
ern veterans, who were visiting the
scenes Of former great conflicts.
A bond now binds the north and
south which is much stronger than
any Of ante-bellum days. Before the
rebellion, clear back to the time of
Andrew Jackson. and even before, the
relations between the two sections
were strained. But now they are
clearly united for a common interest
Northern capital is doing much for
the development of the south, and no
other section is making equal ad-
vancement.
1t is only natural, therefore, that
the warriors of either side should now
welcome their former enemies, and
together calmly discuss the bloody
struggle which reflected glory alike
on victor and vanquished. The funer-
al of General Lee occurred today at
his former home in Columbus, Miss,
and the grief of this man, who was a
fine soldier and a good citizen, will
know no Mason and Dixon line. will
blue nor gray, no north nor south.
He was a great man and the country
was better for his being.-Atchison
Globe.
TOO MANY DOGS.
The terror of hydrophobia is abroad
in the land and 1t may be said that
the whole country is awakening to the
fact that there are too many dogs
Every man would like to see his neigh
boris dog put out of the way. His own
dog, like his child, is perfect and should
be immune. Doubtless there are too
many dogs and too many cats. The
one belongs to the wolf tribe and the
other to the lion. They are beasts OF
prey. The dogs are useful in some
countries, where they are employed for
draft animals, and cats, If they are not
fed will catch mice, but the large num-
Der of collies, st. Demands and New
foundlands with their thick furry coats
suited only to the coolest climate. are
quite out of place in most cities of the
United States and 1T is not remarkable
that they are diseased and insane and
there are so many cases of rabies
among them.-Winfield Tribune.