The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1878-09-07
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT.


Il
Berkshire Co., Mass.
This association had its beginning in
the year 1858, and was set on foot en-
tirely by the efforts OF one devoted lady
| now Mrs. j. q. Goodrich-whose
personal and untiring labors to arouse
| the people resulted in an organization
which has not only secured to the town
| incalculable benefits, but has become
the inspirer and the model Of similar
associations in other States. An ac-
count of more recent effort of this
kind was given in February.
After thorough canvass of all por-
tions of the town, by way Of prepara-
ton, a meeting was held in August,
| which proved On enthusiastic success.
/ Besides it's own citizens. many sons of
j the town, settled elsewhere, were
PRESENT, or responded by the proxy of a
liberal subscription. All the prelimin-
aries of regular organization under
the General Statutes of the State, were
transacted. By it's constitution men,
bership was obtainable by an adult on
the payment of 81, and of twenty-five
cents by child, or, on the part of the
latter, by the planting of tree under
direction; and every child was en-
couraged by this means to erect a
memorial of him or herself, to bear
thereafter the name of the planter.
A remarkable knoll, where magnifi-
cent rocks are overhung by forestry of
oaks and pines, was purchased some
years previously and presented to the
| village as pleasure ground, by a pub
ic-spirited citizen. An abundant un-
! growth of Laurels, suggested name for
the locality, and also the name of the
association. An aggregate of about
81, 400 in cash and available subscrip-
tions enabled it to commence operations
with yigor. It's attention was primarily
directed to improvements upon this
hill; then extended to the village ceme-
terry, whose ruinous fence was replaced
! by tasteful structure of marble and
iron, within which, year or two later,
was set hedge of Norway spruce.
! The latter is now kept fifteen feet in
height, and is a superb wall of perennial
green. Within this enclosure walks and
drives were constructed, shrubbery and
trees planted, leaning monuments set
perpendicular, and provision made for
repeated mowings. Then the streets of
the village were taken in charge; side
walks Strengthened, trimmed and gray
eled; crossings laid; cutters constructed
with regard to thorough drainage, and
shade trees set along the sides of every
street. Year after year these improve
ments were pushed farther, and along
the roads leading into the town, and the
opportunity for pedestrian exercises
| greatly enlarged. In undertakings
involving more expensive labor-such as
grading and working the roads through
and near the village--the association
has acted in concert with the municipal
| authorities, adding its own to the towns
appropriation, and thus securing di-
rection in the enterprise. The two have
thus enjoyed mutual aid, to the inyalua-
disadvantage Of both.
The question is often asked us: Were
there 40 opponents of this crusade of
improvement? Yes-but they were not
numerous, and no long time was requir-
ed to conciliate them entirely. It is not
in human nature, when one puts his
premises in order and beautifes them
with taste, for his next neighbor to en-
dnre for long the contrast suggested by
the neglect and dilapidation on his own
premises, and the chances are that he
will not only fall in with the prevailing
spirit, but become formidable rival in
betterments with the other. The little
labor and trifiing expense necessary to
effect change in his surroundings, of
which, when made, he can not but be
proud, ere long convert him from a
brake to spoke in the wheel of pro-
gress, particularly when he comes to find
las he will-that there is money In the
operation.
Once a year, in the month of August,
| our Association holds its festival on
Laurel Hill. A turf rostlum built
against huge overhanging cliff is the
nucleus of operations. On that rural
platform sit the officers and invited
guests. Around and in front. beneath
The shade of the oaks, on the level plat
that once formed the Council ground OF
the Housatcnic Indians, stand or sit the
towns people: the numerous summer
soiourners and visitors from the neigh
boring towns, whom the occasion
attracts, forming an appreciative audi
ence. sometimes of several hundreds.
After prayer (and often music als0), the
choice of officers, and the annual Report
of the Executive Committee, an Grafton
/ is pronounced usually by some distin-
guished native Of Stockbridge which is
supplemented by brief offeringss.in prose
or verse, and extempore speeches from
visitors. After some two hours OF these
pleasant exercises, the occasion is closed
-at times with dance by the young
people on the verdant sod, to the music
of the band. This is peculiarly the viii
lage festival, and tends to keep alive and
transmit the influence Of the institution
to which so much pleasure and profit
are due. In the course of its existence
of TWENTY-FIVE years, the records OF the
L. II. Association show an expenditure
of Sc, ,692, with the following as some OF
the results:
|. The acquisition by legacies OF more
than 81, 900, most of which has been in-
vested IN public funds; the revenue from
this. with the annual subscriptions, af-
fords available means and secures the
permanency of the association.
q. The setting Of 1885 trees, besides
several hedges. These, from mere sap.
llings have become magnificent speci-
i mems 10 AIIOtb6 u SIheCkaA cA0NaO nAN W
| the 10y and pride of coming generations.
8. Well ordered streets, sidewalks,
CUTTERS and crossings, rendered locomo-
/ fion convenient and agreeable at oil
seasons.
| A. 4 general tidying up of all the
private dwellings, and premises through
out the community, rendering ours, ex-
| ternally. the finest village in Western
Massachusetts-the subject of admira-
tion by all visitors and sojourners.
s. The growing education Of our peo-
pie in the beautiful in nature, aided by
art, tending to diminish rudeness, and
to the promotion of morality.
| 6. An Increased value of real estate Of
| from twenty TO one hundred per cent.
! Trees planted by the association in its
I infancy in front Of some humble prem
ises, have, on the acknowledgment Of q
later purchaser, added $500 or 81, 900 TO
his offer therefor. Seldom is larger
income returned from SO small an out
lay.
7. An example which has been copied