The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-20
SUGGEST RELIEF
Members of Kansas Legisla-
ture for Special Session.
kanSans Unfortunate But Not
Paupers-WOuld Pay Loans.

! j. NJ Shuey of Decatur county and
| W. r. Bowling of Norton county have
! written the following communication
/ IN which they have suggested a plan
! who are or will suffer from the eff
I fects of the drouth. Both of these
! men are mem beers of the legisla ture.
I The communication:
Norcatur. Kan, Aug. 20.
: Editor State Journal:
We notice in Your paper of recent
date, an article under an Oberlin date
line. which purports to set forth the
prosperous condition of this part of
/ the state It is true that a few iSolat-
I ed pieces of wheat made very fair
yields, yet IL is also true that very
great many farmers would have been
equally as well or better off had they
not harvested acre of their wheat.
as the expenses were more than the
proceeds So far as corn is concerned
Decatur county will not raise l per
cent OF corn crop, and this applies
equally as well to the western half of
Norton county; SO far as rainfall is
concerned. if Decatur county has had
= of an inch of water in the last
seven weeks, we are not aware of the
favored locality. There might have
been that much moisture where the
Oberlin postmaster was. but we beg
to doubt its being water. We also
notice in a recent issue of your paper.
that Senator Mcmillan is in favor of
Iature to devise ways and means to
meet the emergency that exists. We
admit the emergency, but desire to
say that il is to some extent state
wide, and is not exclusively confined
TO the western third of the state.
We at least have plenty of good
water. and are over abundantly sup
piled with hot air, which said hot air
mas been our ruinatiOn for several
Years, rather than the lack of mois-
ture. We have failed 10 see any
remedy or tangible proposition that
the senator has to propose. We there
tore take this opportunity of offer
ing the following proposition, and beg
your indulgence for a few remarks
in the support thereof:
FIrst-Pass an act enabling the state to /
gency fund, said money to be borrowed on !
l5-year bonds with a ten-yea- option
Second-Loan said money to the county /
in proportion to the estimated needs Of !
the various counties applying therefor on |
ten years time with a five-year option. |
!hlrd-Pass another act making 1t obi 1
gatory upon the counties borrowing the |
lie highways. first in damming the draws. |
and if there is not enough OF fills to be |
put in upon the public highways. to (
eXpend this money in damming the draws /
upon private property, first obtaining the I
written consent or waiver Of the owner
Fourth-This money to be expended in +
hiring those that are in actual need of /
funds 10 sustain themselves, their fami- /
lies and stock through the winter.
Now as why this would De tangible and /
in our opinion should be done: first. we !
submit that there is not a county in the |
state but what has within its borders |
many heads OF families that will be in |
dire straits this winter for the necessities |
OF life. not on account of their lack of n
dustrv- nor on account OF their misInan-
agement but on account of hindrances
are not paupers and should not be 30
claSSed- They. as y rule, are sober. IN
stances are forced into a condition tnat
was unavoidable on their part 1t being
the function of the state 10 care Tor lts
people. it would be manifestly unjust 10
place these people. who have staked their
all upon crops that did not materize,
upon plane with the paUper-
Again there is only one true way to dis
pense help. and that is by enabling those
that are able to work to help themselves
They are thereby enabled to retain their
self respect and in majority of instances
thereby provide comfort in a degree for
The question will be asked why should |
cause it Is its duty so TO do. Second. be
cause it viii rebound TO the credit and
so 10 do. giving the state a magnificent
system Of public highways. giving to
Y the eastern portion a system OF reser-
-ors TO be used for stock watering pur-
poses. Of which there is q cry ing necessity
rot only at this time. but at some time al
most every year. Giving to the central ard
er which through evaporation VIII teha
o mitigate the intense heat. and through /
,ercolatiOn will in a large measure keep
-1uning streams of water IN existence |
\ gain it will furnish work for thou
ands OF idle hands TO do help reduce me
,eiug depopulated. be q boon 10 many. {
lu-t no one. and increase the wealth OF ! .
he state many times the amount OF the !
This part OF the state asks not for char !
~. bur an opportunity TO help them 9
eives' It is either something of state '
vide expenditure. or local taxation !
Which DO you cEoose2