The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-07
Henry Allen Wants to Wipe Out
Old Provisions.
Stirring Address on Views Be-
fore Rotary Club.
BIG TURNOUT At LUNCHEON
Several Distinguished Guests
Before Grill Today.
sKanSans Think Too Much OF
ThemseIveSw

--~---- Allen of Wichita, urged the
holding of a constitutional conVentloil
in Kansas in an address delivered pc
fore the Topeka Rotary club at fei-
letters Tea Room this noon his au,
dress tore to pieces the celeprateu
cnTnIacencv Of Kansas people in
themselves and their method OF nv
ing. He also pleaded for reVolutloli
in county and .,ity government any any
expressed hope that topeka Woulu
adopt the city manager plan OIL soN-
ernment. n.r,,
c1nb was repetition of similar ad-
dress that will be delivered late thl7 IN
afternoon before the eftlclehcy iheel
ing called by Governor C&pper- a.
usual the Wichita orator drew roulu
after round of applause ana AT the
same time he drew one of the largest
audiences ever present It noon
luncheon of the Rotary club Other
distinguished visitors, some oA Wholil
smoke were Mayor Green of Kansas
CjtY Kan senator Charles f. Snyder
of Ieavenworth: Tom Wagstaff OF In.
dependence, Prof. F. w. Blackmar OF I
Laurence. and Rotarian Holmes OF
Wichita.
Kansans Talk Too Much.
1--WE Kansans have too much of a
disposition to Bull Con ourselves,
said Allen in opening his address.
and our high ideals while we are as
far behind in our manifestation or
good government as any state IN the
country
I'VE are awkward and stupid in our
method of government. l don't think
there is much graft in Kansas, except
ing that which arises from stupid
and awkward government
Then Allen pleaded for a constitu-
tionaf convention to rebuild The sys-
Of TO n
not do a haphazard job of patchwork.
He laughed at fear expressed that the
prohibition section would be abolished
should a new constitution be written.
He spoke Of the attempt to Kill the
primary law.
IF you wish it to remain and desire
that it be no longer considered a joke,
quit asking the people to vote for ev-
cry petty clerk in your court house.
We must quit leaving to an uninter-
ested people the selection of experts.
For governor, judicial positions
and such offices, the judgment of the
people as a rule is all right. Princi-
pally because such offices are attract
i've to men of intelligence. But in the
selection of clerks and experts along
other lines by vote we lose the essence
of true Democracy and are swayed
more by pity for a one-armed or one
legged candidate than we are for an
efficient official"
Allen next launched into a discus
sion of the city manager form of gov
ernment which he investigated per-
sonally at Dayton. He derided a city
government that will not permit the
appointing of a police, health expert,
attorney or other officer living out of
the city. The selection of experts
such as these should be taken from
the people, he declared.
Other Speakers.
Tom Wagstaff followed Henry AL
len. The Wichita mans -rguments,
coupled with his oratory had during
the noon hour made him a convert to
the constitutional convention scheme.
Wagstaff admitted.
Prof. F. w. Blackmar ! ad a little
fun at Henry Aliens expense.
There isn't much left to talk about
after Henry Allen gets thru but
there's a whole lot left to do" said
the Lawrence man. Yet, he agreed
that Allen had hit the nail on the
head. One of Blackmar's hobbies is
to extend the term of office of state
officers from two to four years
Mayor Green and Rotarian Holmes
of Wichita also made short addresses.