The Russellville Democrat., 1878-02-21
RUssELLvILLE, ARK.
OUR TOWN.

importance which demands that the slovcnry which may have been ex- cusable in the past, when we made no pretentlons toward being any thing but an unimportant hamlet, should be put aside and give way to a spirit of order, neatness and pro- gressive improvem ent more in keep ing with the times. The town has enjoyed steady and reasonable growth in population, in buildings and Tn business ever since the rail road was completed to this point
 The progress we have made will compare very favorably with any town on the line of the road. Indeed we feel safe in saying that, between Little Rock and Van Buren, our place is the most important town on the road. But to the stranger or visitor external appearances would not indicate thls. Were we to be judged by our streets, our sidewalks, and by the absence of any town hall, market house or other public i'm provement, we would yet be put down as a mere country village. External appearances have great effect upon the visitor and the first impression that stranger gets or our town is derived from what he beholds at first sight. The energy, enterprise and public spirit of the people is judged by the condition Of the town. Such test often does in- justice to towns, to be sure, but this is the test by which strangers pro- nounce judgment. In the case of our town it does gross injustice, for we say positively that no small town has better business men or more energy, enterprise and public spirit among it's citizens than has Russell vile. Our citizens cannot be accus- ed of stinginess or sordid appetite. They are generous and liberal in their expenditures. The trouble is they don't spend their means wisely. Their efforts are misdirected and altogether devoid of any beneficial results. They fail to comprehend the situation and consequently do not spend their money where it will do most good. What we need now more than anything else, more than any dearly purchased "puffing' or advertising in the papers, is work upon our streets and sidewelks, a thorough cleaning up and straight ening out at home and the addition of such public Improvements as our town domands-such as a town hall, good commodlous school house, &c., &c. Our streets to-day indicate no improvement over years ago. They are muddy, ungraded and beautifully destitute of sidewalks. We have no town hall or place for holding public meetings at all. We have no public school buildings suf- ficient to meet the growing wants of the town. Strangers take all these things in at glance, and all the "pufiing" we can get done for big pay through Chicago or St. Louis papers, will do us no good so long as this state of things exist The mon- ey spent for such blowing ifexpended so as to show upon our streets and highways would do far more good
 So, fellow townsmen, let us wake up to the wants of the situation and get squarely down to HOME improve ment. Let us demand of the city government greater display of en- ergy In making public Improvements. Let them have eur streets graded and pavements laid. Let them use the authority given them to inaugu- rate public Improvements. Let all our citizens clean up and straighten out things around their premises, such as putting out shade trees, painting and white washing fences and giving such an air of neatness and cleanliness to the town as will impress the observer with the con viction that we are live, wide awake people. Let us give our support and patronage to all home indus tries and enterprises. Let us con
 tribute freely for the purpose of building fine and commodious pub lie school house. Let us take stock | Tn the Pope County Agricultural and Mechanical Association, and | last, but not by any means least, let as give a hearty support to our home paper. Our word for it if our citlzens will do these things it will 1 c.. tlc hnraHt af sl