Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-19
BEAUTIFYING THE CITY.

BEAUTIFYING THE CITY.
getty Improvement Associa-
tion'--Ofhcers Elected--Report of Rev.
DIR. Dana-- Objects to be Attained.
The adjourned meeting Of the citizens Of St.
Paul, who have been inspired to undertake the
good work of effecting an organization having
for its object the elevation of public taste and
some concerted action in the adornment and
identifying of our city, took place at the rooms
of the chamber of commerce last evening, and
was attended by some twenty or
more of our leading citizens in
Guiding the Rev. DR.. Dana who had
been mustered in to assist in the movement as
one who had not only come fresh from the
realms of tasteful and cultured New Eng
land, but who had evidently given no little
attention to the practical workings of similar
societies in those older commonwealth.
Col. Hewitt was called to the chair, and Mr..
VIM. D. Rogers chosen secretary. In response
to a call for the report Of committees appointed
at the previous meeting, Mr.. McClung read
and submitted the draft of a constitution and
plan Of organization, in which
Getty IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
is declared to be the name and title of the
society, pIoV4ueS 1Ol VIC USUAL uuIuDoI VI u
icers, a life membership fee of $1.00 Zone dol
lar), etc., etc.
Before adopting the constitution, however,
further report of the said committee was
presented by the reverend gentlemen above
mentioned, as a subcommittee, and which re-
port is so entirely comprehensive of the full
intents, purposes and possibilities of the as
ISOLATION, we feel warranted in giving it in,
full:
Report of subcommittee read and submitted
by Rev. Mr.. Dana.
As an assurance to the public that the above
association can really accomplish much in the
line of promoting the adornment of this city,
particulars in which its usefulness may be felt:
First-It can influence the occupants of
houses along our residence streets, and holders
of unimproved real estate, to set out such
shade trees as would add to the comfort and
healthiness of their respective premises.
Second-It can diffuse through the press,
and by means of printed circulars such infor
nation may be needed in reference to the
kind of trees best adapted for purposes of
shade and ornament; the proper time in which
to set them out and the methods to be followed
in the various wards of the city to secure uni
formity and success in transplanting.
Third-Furthermore, this society can take
measures to have little plots of ground, now
unoccupied, and either belonging to the city or
within the acquisition, enclosed, and converted
into comley little parks, adding greatly to the
attractiveness of the streets, and lending a
new charm to the general appearance of the
city.
Fourth-1t can produce, by moral or legal
means, the filling up and seeding of
unsightly and unhealthy localities, preventing
their being used as at present, as catch-alls for
garbage, discarded cans and bottles, whereby
some unoccupied lots in the very heart of the
city, were rendered positively repulsive and
sanitarily dangerous.
Fifth-Moreover, this organization would be
the right agency, through general subscriptions
to its treasury, or by personal gifts, to secure
the erection of fountains and pieces of statu-
ary, for the ornamentation of such public
squares and parks as we now have, which, in
turn, would be notable witnesses to the taste
and public spirit of our citizens.
Sixth-lt could also, by keeping before the
public the duty of caring for the establishment
OF the city in the ways already enumerated, de-
velop a taste among all classes of our people,
for the Improvement of their door-yards and
lawns. for the display of more variety in house
architecture, and for the employment of bright
er colors in the painting of buildings and their
roofs.
Seventh-It would come within the province
OF this association to correspond with nom
resident owners of property in St. Paul, and
influence them to inclose their lots, grade and
turf them and put out shade trees along their
street fronts, thereby rendering them, even
while not built upon, ornamental to the CITY.
Eighth Having in view the future of St.
Paul, this organization could labor to promote
greater regard for the tasteful and economical
lay out of new streets, for a wise and early
agreement upon their grade, and urge upon the
authorities the protection of certain localities,
now possessed of great natural beauty, and
value as the city extends and builds up, from
the vandalism that would destroy them.
In all these ways your committee believe
that this association can practically contribute
to the improvement of st. Paul, and in q shor,
lime, through the public interest awakened il
this matter of it's tasteful ornamentation anc
through the cooperation of individuals anC
ward committees, of property owners and ten
ants, add greatly to the embellishments of ou
city, securing for it increasing repute abroad
and making it more attractive to strangers ant
those drawn hither for purposes of business O
residence.
Your committee in conclusion, would re
mind all, that whatever contributes to tn
advancement of st. Paul in external finish ant
urbane beauty, will render it more worthy O
the pride of its citizens, enhance tic .;lue o
| property, and make it more healthful to thos
| now dwelling here, as we'll as more popular a
place of resort.
! marks of appropriation, and heartily adopted
Then followed the
| ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION,
which had been previously submitted BY Mr.
McClung, and which provides for the perma
nent organization Of the society, by the cleo
ton of president, three Independents,
| secretary and treasurer, and an executive com
| mittee of five.
After remarks by Messrs. Castle, Robertson
Becht,s Rev. Dana, and others, the election O.
officers was proceeded with. and resulted a
follows:
President-T. M. Metcalf; three vice presj
dents-Messrs. Becht, Johnson and Castle.
Secretary-Dr. Schiffman; treasurer
W. Griggs.
President Metcalf was escorted to the chair
delivered himself of very modest speech, an,
demanded the further procedure of business
On motion of Major Becht, the chair appoint
ed committees from each ward of the CITY te
canvass for membership and report at mex
| meeting as follows:
WARD COMMITTEES.
First ward-John K Davidson, Jas. J. Hill.
Second ward-John D. Graw, II. C. Becht.
Third ward-J. P. Pond, J. W. McClung.
Fourth ward-Gen. r. w. johnson, Adar
| Finch.
Fifth ward-F. Willius, Chas. s. Rogers.
Sixth Ward-E. II. Wood, J. B. Fish,
Following this action q general discussion
conversational in manner. took place. durin
which nearly all persons present walked mn t
the secretary's desk and planted down thei
respective one dollar membership fee. Dnrin
this closing debate the wording of the constitr
ton was interpreted to admit 'sall persons !
Guiding the ladies, to membership of the sooiet
upon payment of the required fee.