The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-01


than 100 cents on the dollar
Indication of Prosperity.
The prosperity of Kansas is shown
in many ways Our bank deposits OF
24.110,576 are the largest per capita
of any state-an increase OF Szs,OOut
coo in the year 1915; our "a. 162 auto
mobiles-that's what it was Thursday
and they've increased since-and VIII
increase still more rapidly as we inn
prove our roads-as we wili-gives
one car to every sixth famfly-a rec
ord equaled by only two other states
our $50 telephone companies with
their s31 exchanges and $4,000 tele-
phones. give a phone to every fam
lily of five-the largest percentage OF
any state; our farm products in 1918
of S341. $4,000 and our livestock valr
ued at 1910, 1000; our $s25, 100000
of manufacturing products in 1915
all give US reason for CONCENTRATION
The state has a permanent school
fund of $10.4S5, 299. and has invested
in its school property more than SzS-f
Oe0. 00o-an increase of one and three-
quarters million dollars this year. We
spent in the last year. $12.210,o 600 for
educational purposes-an increase OF
almost 100000 We have enrolled
in our colleges $1,000 students-the
largest college attendance in proper
ton to population of any state. Our
State university Agricultural college
and normal schools received from the
state S1.660. 600 more last year than
their cost of maintenance decado
ago; so while our schools are not all
that we are going to make them. We
are making progress, and the state
may be proud of the fact that we have
less than two per cent illiteracy-next
to the lowest of any state in the ma
/ ton.
Some Things We Do Not Have.
Yes. Kansas Is prosperous state
| but there are some things which we
| do not have. More than half million
of our BOYS and girls never saw an
open bar room; we have only fourteen
women in Kansas prisons; we send
only about two-fifths as many men
per one thousand population. to
jail as does the nation as whole;
we have a great scarcity OF poor
farms and paupers; we don't have
nearly so many funerals as dc other
states. our death rate being extremely
low; we have fewer tenants and more
home owners in proportion to popula-
ton: and we drink very little booze.
With these exceptions 1 think you
will agree with me that Kansas is all
right. and that this celebration today
is timely. appropriate and well mer-
tied.
do not think we can find anywhere
else on the face of the earth million
and three-quarters of people who viii
grade up as we'll; who have a greater
: to the demands of decency ard fair
/ ness and the higher standards of citi-
; zenship. 1 believe We have here the
i finest example in all America of a
: pure democracy standing firmly for
| the rights of all men without regard
5 to race. creed or condition.
: Privilege to Live Here.
1t is a privilege and a blessing to
live in a state with such a record as
: Kansas has made and to have done
something toward making that rec
ord. We have only to go on in The
= spirit as we have begun. Indeed our
development in citizenship as gagged
by its future possibilities h. just be-
: gun in Kansas.
s Never in the history of the state has
[ Kansas been in better condition
s physically and financially and never
e have our people been more keenly
h alive to our opportunities for progress
u and our possibilities of true greatness
9 We are entering the year 1915 with
: most brilliant prospects From the
t bottom of my heart. I congratulate
: the people of Kansas upon what we
: have already attained and upon OUT
L opportunities for the future.