The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-10-29
Concerning Local Improvements.


of towns and villages.
In oldcn time, French and English vii
lagos were mere novels, rudcly built,
with clay or stone floors, and windows
large enough to let i'll the sum
light, which God so freely gives to both
rich and poor.
The serfs even in Queen Elizabeth's
reign, of happy memory, lived i'll low
matched cottages, gloomy and cheer
less The heavy clouds of ignorance
and superstition which covered Europe
so denscly in the middle ages, had not
then entirely rolled away, and the
dark shadows nowhere lay heavier than
or the small country towns. The rays
of intelligence and civilization of the
great cities, of halls and castles, had not
vet penetrated the villages which
were cOmfOrtless, dark and often filthy.
How different the state of things to-
day, especially i'll our OWN country.
Village life, as it exists in the United
States, is truly one Of the happiest fe;'-
lures of modern civilization. Comforts,
convcnienccs, new inventions and strlk-
ing Improvements are scarcely known
in New York, st. Louis or New Or
leans, before they arc brought to the
villages and towns thousands OF miles
in the interior.
Modern life has real advantages over
ancient life-our houses may be lighted
by gas, warmed by steam, and cheered
by the soft tones of the organ, or the
stately notes of the piano. Daily news
papers, with the latest kilograms from
Berlin, Paris and London, lie on our
breakfast tables. New books, literary
magazines and illustrated weeklies,
reach our doors almost as soon as they
fall from the steam press. Tropical
fruits, fresh from Cuba, Bermuda and
st. Thomas, may be purchased i'll our
streets. What more can we reasonably
ask for in the form of physical comfort
or intellectual entertainment?
But while this century and country
have given such happy development to
town and village life, what have we
done to achieve this glorious perfection
The general appearance Of Monroe is
quiet, cheerful and pleasing. Many of
the dwellings have an air Of comfort,
and are tolerably neat in their surround
ings; their porches and verandahs, their
windows and shutters, -door-yafds and
trees, are pleasing features; but yet is
there not much room for improvement,
Improvements too, which are simple,
desirable and easily obtained, requiring
only united cooperation?
How shall this be secured: We be-
licvc this grand work could be accom-
plishcd by Local Improvement Soci-
ETY., the chief object of which would be
to render our town more healthy, more
cheerful and more attractive; to aid its
usefulness, its importance, its pleasant
ncss-in short, to develop and increase
it's true civilization. Such a society
could greatly aid the Town Council and
the Police Jury in all improvements,
architectural or artistic; and if COM
posed of influential citizens, it would
act as Il general stimulant to these cor
to be wakencd up to Il more animated
activity.
In walking over our town, we can
observe here and there, spots capable
of great improvement, ut very little
cost \ tree might be planted to shade
and bcautify this pl;,cc--a rustic chair
or bench sat under that old oak whose
widespread arms and cooling shade
invite repose and contemplation.
IIygicnic improvements should form
ono of the first objects of consideration.
An ample supply of water is absolutely
indispensable for health, for cleanliness,
for Observation-Disclosures as Il protection
against fire, an ample supply is far
more effective than all the salamandel
safes in the town. This would greatly
aid the fire company, whose efficiency
and energy is no less crcditablct to them.
selves than appreciated and admired by
the citizens.
\ green plat, or public square, OF
park, where old and young, lads and
together on Il summer evening to breathe
the fresh air, chat with their neighbors,
or listen to the thrilling notes of the
brass band, as they gently die away
amid the beams of the setting sun, is
not only greatly to be desired, but is Il
public necessity. Civilization demands
it. We are glad to lcarnthat All appro-