Prairieland Magazine from Fort Scott, Kansas • 3

The Prairieland Magazine The Prairieland Magazine PUBLICATION OFFICES, 211 MARKET FORT SCOTT, KANS. PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE PRAIRIELAND COMPANY. ENTHRED AT POSTOFFICE, FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, AS SECOND-CLASS MAIL MATTER TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: One Year Six Months 50 Cents Single Copy 10 Cent6 Foreign Subscriptions. Postage Prepaid to Countries in the Universal Postal. Union 12.00 per year.

Advertising rates quoted on application. The right is reserved to cancel contracts for unreliable or otherwise objectionable advertisements. Offensive advertisements not received at any price. Contributions should be accompanied by postage to insure their return if unavailable. Payments should be made by Draft, Money Order, or Registered Letter.

Address all communications, and make all remittances payable to The Prairieland Company, 211 Market Fort Scott, Kansas MEDITATIONS. By The Free Lance. an EHERE is nothing so dreary as the spect of the bare and naked prairie in the bleak winter sensou, nor is any thing more cheery or glowing than its shimmering S) CO' i ting of green in summer. It is for the people who SHE Kansas Day Club, an organization originally intend ed to bring to the fore the young republicans of the commonwealth and by the power of unity force the old ward heelers and political bosses to move over and make room for new ones, held a large and enthusiastic annual meeting, to the great delight of the Topeka shop keepers, in representative hall on ihe twenty-ninth of January, the birthday of Kansas and also the day upon which we commemoiate the birth of the martyred president, William McKinley. Young Homer Hoch, the native Kansan who responded to the toast of honor, gave an unusually happy expression of the sentiment of modern chivalry.

When addressing bimself to the Jadies in the gallery he said in part: "But by the way, members of the Kansas Day Club, lei us not delude ourselves with the thought that the men of Kansas are the whole people of Kansas. Far from it! However lofty a place you may hold in the industrial or social structure, you certainly must admit that the ladies are above you. What, I ask, would we do without the gallery attachment to Kansas civilization?" For his pains he was showered with flowers. Since that memorable night, on which occasion other well read youths of Sunflowerdom also delivered themselves of diatribes over and against opposing parties, as well as lauded and praised their own political faith, and some who had been democrats explained why they were now republicans as is befitting one who changes his course late in life, a great many bouquets have been thrown at the Kansas Day Club organization and its speakers. Some of the flowery aggregations were made up of the most ill smelling buds and offensively odoriferous full blown blossoms.

I am of the opinion however that all of the criticisms launched are out of order and poorly taken. This is a free country where free speech, free lunches, treats and freedom of thought are symbols of our nationality. I affirm positively that every gathering of men or women where expressio is given to committed thought, not in itself vicious and unlawful, is beneficial and leads to a better life and broader refinement of our people. The almighty dollar must be considered in connection with every transaction, and its acquirement is an absolute necessity if we would live decently and walk independently among men of this material age. But a barrel of money is no solace to the fellow who has it and nothing else, especially if his mind has a basis wider than a rut in the public highway.

Therefore, let it be resolved by the young men of the west that as they ripen and age they will not be wholly absorbed in constantly adding to their stores of precious metal, tawdry trappings and other trash thought valuable by those who worship only at the shrine of Filthy Lucre. It is not a matter of national interest whether the average prominent citizen prepares and delivers a speech at a prohibition convention or a democratic gab-fest. The mere act of concentration, of allowing the mind to dwell for a time on some subject of sufficient respectability to be presented in public, of withdrawing for an hour from the intense nerve strain incident to our life long scramble for wealth, ie the remedial and health giving action which saves us from anarchy and vitally affects our national life, progress and public safety. Wherefore, let the girls and boys, as well as the old women and old men, burn the midnight oil, prepare their addresses on "Who Wrote Shakespeare's Works. I know I Didn't," "My Party Is Better Than Yours" or "Equality of Man and Equal Ownership of Property Are My Slogans, If I Had More It Might Be Different." Every public meeting is a potent agent looking to world wide civilization, for when we gather together we show only our better parts.

And as God gave to no two individuals the same face be likewise supplied each with somegood point not intuitively obtained by his neighbor. Therefore, wherefore, let every state in the union have a "Kansas Day and all political parties and religious denominations possess many similar organizations whereby with an exchange of ideas and through meeting your brother who resides elsewhere, you may teach your home folks to be men. live in the level and rolling country of the great west that this magazine is published A life long residence among them, and a large experience with the different classes of them by direct contact, and through having traveled extensively within the confines of the states comprising the prairieland, have given the writer considerable knowledge as to their wants and needs, and the right to address them. It will be the constant endeavor of the editor and publishers of The Prairieland Magazine to not only entertain, but instruct and broaden the minds of all who peruse its pages. While it will have a distinct literary tone, I shall endeavor to print regularly a faithful and extended discussion and review of the best that is said, or-may be said, showing the condition and progress of the professional, mechanical, mercantile and agricultural callings in which the citizens of our prairies, slopes, hills and dales are mostly engaged.

I cannot express my appreciation in black ink for the handsome encouragement received. This magazine an untried periodical in a crowded field has with its initial number the largest paid up-in advance circulation possessed bv any publication printed west of the Mississippi River To merit a continuance of the patronage bestowed will be my constant endeavor I confess my astonishment caused by the liberality of friends and citizens. Even at the present rate of progress the magazine will reach twenty-five thousand different families during the 'first year Of this I am positive. For the benefit of advertisers 1 will say that the work of solicitation goes merrily and every dollar of income will be expended to better The Prairieland, and extend its circulation. You will get the benefit of a trial distribution in addition to the present and ever increasing regular circulation.

This publication is absolutely independent, and cares nothing, forthe demands or desires of any man or beast. Some errors will be found in this issue. Some omissions and some curtailments were made necessary owing to the lack of acquaintance of all parties concerned with the task of editing and printing a magazine. Next mouth it will be different. I thoroughly appreciate the courtesy extended by sub-scribers and I hope that the reader who has not put his name on the list, will do so at once.

The eastern gentleman of culture insists that a successful monthly cannot be published in the west. I need your assistance to prove the contrary..