Friday, July 14, 2000 | 8:42 a.m.
Note to readers: This column, written by Morning Sun Publisher Hank Greenspun, appeared Oct. 15, 1951.
If a small group of men who are determined to keep Nevada small, and, who are doubly determined to keep the southern part of Nevada in an inferior position to the rest of the state, could have heard a speech yesterday at the dedication of St. Peter's school in Henderson, they would have realized the ridiculousness of their position.
Bishop Thomas K. Gorman, bishop of the Reno diocese, spoke at the ceremonies and predicted "a mighty community in Henderson whose growth no man can confine."
He said that if anyone had prophesied 20 years ago, when he first arrived in Clark County as bishop of the newly created diocese of Reno, that he would someday be dedicating a school in the midst of what in that day was a barren stretch of sand and sagebrush, he would have been laughed to scorn.
"Yet what a tremendous development we have seen; what portents for the future. Anyone who can still persuade himself to sell Clark County short, civilly or religiously, as so many persisted in doing through the years, certainly deserves the 'Oscar' for the pessimistic championship."
The Bishop also wanted to know who will dare set bounds to the future development of this community?
There are a few people who dare Bishop, but I, too, believe that their efforts will be un-availing. Trying to stifle our growth is akin to trying to empty Lake Mead with a quart milk bottle, but the small minds who try to control the state cannot envision how puny their efforts really are. They are that persistent.
The future growth of Clark county cannot be stifled so long as there are men who possess the will to carry through. Men like Father Peter Moran who as the Bishop described: "literally with his two hands, with slender resources, with indomitable courage, with unfailing confidence in the future prospects of Henderson and with astute negotiations has raised this school" which was dedicated yesterday.
I imagine that Father Moran must have met with many obstacles, which at times seemed almost insurmountable, but still the school was built. I received a fair example of the "astute negotiations" when I first met Father Moran yesterday. No sooner were we introduced when he "borrowed" a cigar from me, saying, "Not for myself, mind you, but for a friend."
There are times when one must negotiate "astutely" for the good of the public-at-large. For instance, the men of the Las Vegas water district have had a "few obstacles" thrown in their path because they tried to deal with men who were less honorable in their intentions than the men of the district.
Perhaps the district officers should take Father Moran's career as an example. I know the water district commissioners have the will and the confidence, but only appear to lack the quality of "astute negotiations."
Las Vegas will get a new supply of water, Bishop Gorman is right. Nothing can stop our growth.
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