The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-16
"WHAT Ais TSP"

George r MOrehouSe, whose ser
vice as a state senator from Morris
county has given him first hand in
formation concerning the states meth
DDS of doing business and the needs of
the commonwealth, is among those of
prominence who join the State journal
in its diagnosis of the ailment from
which Kansas is suffering. Mr.. More
house writes
To the Editor of the State Journal:
When one is thrilled by a fine ser
mon or address, he feels like COM
mending the speaker. When the
beauty and strength of a work of art
attract and hold our attention, we
praise the artist. 1t is also proper to
praise the editor when he writes some
thing which reaches a plane of excel
lence far beyond the ordinary.
Only now and then in lifetime does
it fall to the lot of newspaper man
to be in position to express himself
upon topic of so much concern to
great commonwealth as was covered
by your recent remarkable editorial
entitled, What Ais Us?"
The question, What is the matter
with Kansas" has been answered
many times; but never in as full and
practical manner as your recent dag
nosis.
Without any design of flattery or
undue commentator, 1 am free to
state that, considering the breadth of
the subject discussed and the fearless
and complete manner of its treatment,
the editorial is in class by itself and
in state Importance excels any express
sion of its kind during the past
twenty-five years.
1t is very strange that some one had
not beat you to it" and the people
of Kansas should profit by seeing their
delinquencies depicted and a way
pointed out for Improvement.
Had you remained in the state you
never could have written it; but con-
tact with other states, people and COM
munities gave you that broader view
which so few public men and editors
possess. f5l
l am mistaken; for they do possess
those broader views" but most of
them are rabbits" and upon many
proper state and public policies are
afraid to express themselves for fear
of displeasing that terror of a con-
You say: THE serious, the whole
and almost the only trouble with Kan
sas is that she is stingy" In this you
are correct; for you proceed to prove
it IN dozen particulars; but, why is
Kansas stingy? She has been educat-
ed that way by the methods of the
newspapers and the public men of the
state. Our candidates, regardless of
party, preach low taxes to gain pub
lie favor-no matter how profligate
they may become when in actual DOW
er. Our party editors and officials.
to establish a record, advocate all
kinds of silly and sentimental re
trenchments and reforms" to cater to
and catch the voter; and they will not
stop at anything to please the tax
payer and thus help to put the other
fellow or party in "the hole" Every
body knows that this condition pre-
walls in township. county and state af-
fairs. zz
Your plan of a great system of pub
lie highways is fine: but under pres
ent conditions, can it be kept out of a
partisan riot of pork barrel politics?
AS a state We are "stingy," as you say,
and we also are prone to place party
politics above practical business meth
DDS in public administration; and we
also brag too much of our per cap
tia" in the banks and our other wealth
and resources.
A bright travelling man recently told
me that the principal objection he
heard from farmers and others to the
plan of war preparedness" was its
cost, that it would make taxes high"
an argument which reaches to the
same dignity of patriotism of the Pop
ulist Kansas congressman, who, in
speech opposing naval appropriations,
said, What is the use of battleship
to a Kansas farmer? It can't plant
corn
In other words, Kansas is in dan
ger of becoming too self satisfied, toe
materialistic and proud of her unde-
veloped or unused resources, and is in
danger of losing her former lofty
ideals of great state-which, if lost.
will deter her from advancement "sto
the stars along the highway of a bet
ter and broader civilization.
/ It is hoped that the clear notes of
ers to express similar sentiments and
that Kansas may yet take her proper
place among the great states of the
Union.
GEO. P. MOREHOUSE.
/ PINK PHILOSOPHY.