The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-04-24
mmuniclf

Communicated.
Now that the spring has really come,
and it is rather 4 pleasure than Otherwise
10 he out Of doors, il strikes MS that a few
W Is of advice, dictated by q true spi it of
loyalty 10 our dear old town, will not be
amiss, and viii have the effect, we hope.
OF inducing some of our property holders
and tenants TO give the matter some con-
sideration at least. 1t is generally con-
ceded that on account OF our salubrious
summer climate, beautiful scenery. lovely
drives and fine accommodations, becoming
known to our city cousins, every summer
brings them from their urban dwellings TO
spend the season with US, aud enjoy the
luxury of pure air and fine rural Ger
Our town does not really possess a rep
utation as 4 summef resort, but Is every
year gaining q more extended and more
favorable distinction. Most OF this lame
we owe TO the natural features OF the
country. And. il hom no other feeling
than a desire to be well thought OF by out
siders. which, though a powerful incen-
tive 10 appear neat and clean in our sur
roundings, we shall presently see, should
by no means be the weightiest reason,
we should pay some attention to the ex-
tcrnal appearance Of u houses; should
endeavorssto make our yards beautiful; and
not stopping iRtrd mona we should take
pains TO have our pavements clean, level.
and well laid, and see that the streets be-
fore our houses and properties are cleared
of such rubbish as old tin cans. brick
bats, pieces of board, crockery, ashes and
decayed vegetable matter. We don't ask
nor expect any great outlay, for 10 comply
with all thse directions would require but
a mOdicum of the article, money, though
il might call for q little labor and the ex-
ercise OF good Judgment. But a regard
for the good opinion of strangers should
only be a secondary consideration for these
things; for when we think OF the infiu-
ence our surroundings and associations
have on the formation of character, anG
tie sweet, peaceful content engendered by
beautiful and well arranged walks, fences
and grounds, we really wonder that men
of intelligence who believe in progression
would need to be reminded of a truth so
trite. We should love beauty, order and
cleanliness for their own sakes. y cru
SADIE in this direction is a very much-to-be-
desired movement, and we hope to see it
undertaken in temperance, that 1t may not
efiervescc in a few short hours, and with
energy, that something may be accom-
plished.
In walking down Main street the other
day, the principal street as its name indi-
Gates Of the village, we were iorcibly re-
minded of the condition OF the pavements.
The stone slabs are thrown together IN
such a promiscuOus way as to lead one,
u"nacuualnted with the real facts of the
matter to suppose there had been q violent
earthquake OF other upheaval OF the earth.
On a dark night it is as much rs "A mans
life Is worth To traverse this street, and on
the occasion of the least shower the water
collects in little pools on the pavements,
making lCcOmotion or walking almost In
possible, and rendering navigation danger
Gus, to say the least, from the many perils,
breakers and rocks sunk beneath the va
tiers. We don't wish to deal in hyperbole,
but We wish TO call the attention of the
citizens TO this matter, believing that they
are public spirited enough 10 see the force
of the criticism, and abate the evil.
These stone pavements, unless laid with
very great care. have TO be relaid every
spring TO be kept in good condition, as the
frost coming out of the frozen ground ele-
Yates some, tlepresses others, and democrat
lies the pavements generally.
Most OF the alleys OF the town are at
present in an absolutely filthy condition.
They are made the repositories OF accumu-
lated garden rubbish, stable eXc~resences.
refuse of tables ahd kitchens and the
waste Of the winters fuel. We believe
there is a borough ordinance prohibiting
persons from depositing any 4 OF
dirt or filth on The streets or alleys, and a
compliance with the directions OF the or
dinGnce in the very spirit, ought 10 be the
aim and desire of every citizen, without
calling in the aid of the law 10 enforce it.
OF course il is the duty of the Street Com
missioner 10 see that the streets and alleys
are cleaned. but it certainly can do NJ
harm for private citizens to take an inter
est in the matter and assist. by all reason
able means. the accomplishment OF the OBJ
ject in view.
The grounds and surroundings of some
OF our public cdifces need some attention.
We have noticed with pleasure the demo-
lition of the ugly, cumbrOus board fence
which formerly separated the court yard
from the grounds belonging to the jail
and SheritTs residence. Ii would add
very much TO the appearance Of those
public grounds if no partition were put up,
but if it is deemed necessary to have the
two yards separated by a fence, we hope
one will be put up which will meet the
requirements, beauty and good sense:
Lei it be pretty, light and graceful struct.
ure, either a fine iron or wire fence. And
while on the subject of fences we would
that a new one for part of the
western boundary and for the whole Of
the northern boundary is really necessary,
and the Commissioners cannot attend to
the matter too soon. With the exercise
of a little care and discretion these
grounds could be made charming.