Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-28
Trustees Report.

The board of Trustees of Oakland Cemetery
association, in this, their annual report to the
lot-owners, can add but little to former reports,
except as to the increase of prosperity indicat-
ed by the past fiscal year. Progress in the
right direction as matter of course is to be
expected of cemetery association properly
conducted. The fiscal year just closed has
been the most prosperous that, the
association has known, and the in
creased outlay for local and general improve
ments has told materially on the develop
ment of lovliness for which the grounds
have natural adaptation.
By reference to the Treasurer's report it will
be seen that the year has. added materially to
the available assets of the association. Not
only has the fund for perpetual care of lots
been considerably increased, but the fund that
may be available for special and general i'm
provements is becoming a very import
ant one. There has been delay in
the commencement of the mortuary chapel
and receiving tomb which it was in conlempla-
tion to erect in the grounds during the past
year, and for which the fund would have been
appropriated. That delay has been caused by
the large augmentation in the cost of labor
and material, due to the increased aggregate of
improvements in the city, and the consequent
unwillingness of builders to take new con-
tracts except at a heavy advance in price.
While the trustees are anxious to carry out
the plan as early as possible, yet they believe
that the necessity for its construction is not
so urgent as to justify an extravagant expen-
diture. The plans are all prepared, and there
will be no delay in the erection of the building
after the trustees become satisfied that it can be
done consistently with the exercise of proper
economy.
The cemetery presents this summer au un-
usually beautiful appearance. The
timely and beneicent rains have given a
fresh brightness to the foliage and deeper
and fresher greenness to the sod. In dry sea-
sons the lot owners have sometimes been
ready to complain of what was chargeable,
not to the neglect of the actuary, but to the
dryness of the season.
The business of the association is carried on
methodically and efficiently. The system is
year by year better understood, more thor
oughly digested, and consequently more strict
ly adhered to. Should there seem to be, to
some, an excess of strictness in enforcing
rules and regulations, it must be borne in
mind that in no other manner can the ceme-
terry grounds be preserved from dissertation.
Perpetual care on some of the old lots has
been secured, but there are many lots whose
propretOrs have not paid the additional sum
requisite for the purpose. An appeal is once
more made to all lot owners who have not al
ready paid attention to this important matter
to do so without delay.
There have been erected, during the year,
quite a large number of tasteful and costly
monuments, and many others will be placed
there within a short period.
A larger number of new lots, in the most at
tractive part Of the grounds, have been graded
and improved, ready for sale, and thus every
variety in size, price and situation are open to
the choice of purchasers.
Congratulating the association on the pro-
IL l. - ffrrIIu n,rh
mitted. Fl. H. SHELLEY, President.
REPORT OF TREASURER.