The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-20
YES, We WANT 1T
Topeka Makes a Bid for Chris
tian Church Convention.
Enthusiastic Mass Meeting Held
Last Night.
TOM M'NEAL'S STORY.
He Tells 1t to Illustrate
Hospitality.
Justice Benson Says Kansas Is
Logical Place.
ON M'NEAL'S STORY.

VIII Topeka secure the big inter-
national convention of the Christian
church for 1909? At a well attended
mass meeting held last night at the
First Christian church the answer
was emphatically yes. The meeting
showed that an enthusiastic and de-
termined campaign will be pursued in
order to convince the Plttsburg con-
vention next month that Topeka is
the only logical place for holding the
next big convention. -t
The pastors of the local Christian
churches were the first to ofTer their
cooperation towards helping on the
cause. Rev. W. H. Scrivner, OF the
Third church, estimated the number
of delegates to the 1910 convention
If held in Topeka as between six and
seven thousand. Topeka Kan, and
we believe that Topeka will get the
convention for next year." he as
serted. .'The convention would set
forward the cause of Christianity in
Topeka at least 25 years, and we are
in favor of the use of all legitimate
means for getting it here.
Rev. Albert t Fits, pastor of the
Central Park church, declared that
the only rival that Topeka has in her
attempt in securing the 1910 conven-
ton is Des Moines. but he believed
that justice would win as Topeka has
been after the convention for several
years past, while Des Moines is ask
ing for 1t this year for the first time
since the convention was held IN
that city some years ago.
Rev. David Lyon, pastor OF the
North Side church, believed that II
the convention comes to Topeka next
year it will be an extraordinary one
on account of the central location
and the fact that Topeka can show
the visitors a good city.
McNeaI Tells a Story.
Tom A McNeaI who was in
troduced by Rev. Charles A. Finch
as just plain tom McNeal,' as he is
commonly styled. was in a humorous
frame of mind ut doesn't make
any difference in regard to the size
of the convention, we will take care
Of the delegates anyhow" was his
emphatic statement. IF there are
$4,000 of them and they stay ten days
it will require exactly million chick
ems. and Bro. Coburn has promised to
provide the whole number
(Laughter).
I'VE can at least give the delegates
better accommodation than gentle
man friend of mine said he found in
a small place in Arkansas. There
were nine children in the family and
only one bed. and he was curious to
know. where he was to sleep He-l
noticed the mother putting the chill
dren to sleep and one by one sitting
them up on a slippery elm log. When
the host informed my friend that he
could retire if he wished. So he was
feeling jubiIant over the fact that he
was in a downy bed, but what was
his surprise to find when he awaken
ed in the morning that he too was
sitting on the slippery elm Iog!"
I'VE want the convention to come
lere for number of reasons. 1t is
good thing for a town 10 have. We
fant them to come here for the oppor-
unity they will have of seeing the
retties- country in the world.
Everybody ought to work for the
1T would be the greatest
convention this town has ever seen"
The next speaker on the program
vas AttorJiey John Dawson, vino de- |
Jared that wniie he had had no idea
# making a speech he came to the 4,
Meeting to 'Wkoop i! up for Topeka !
md the convention"
Il know it would be a great honor |
o the state and city to have the con-
ention here he continued. Il am a |
tumble member of the Commercial !
Tub. and 1 know that club will give
IS best efforts to make the convention |
success. 1t will be a good thing for |
he convention to come here. 1t will |
e soneth. ng new for them to hold a |
cnvenlion wnerc there is prohibition
rom one end of the tate to the other |
Ve are developing another new type
: people out here in Kansas, the most |
ncommon type of common people the