The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-05-18
The CITY Cemetery.

refinement of a community. If we 60 into
northern towns and to the cities of Europe we
find the cemeteries are tastefully and carefully
laid out, ornamented by stone, flowers, ever
greens and are kept in such a condition as
plainly indicates the past, that their loved
ones, though hidden from sight, are still dear
in their hearts.
The condition of our city cemetery is a
matter in which all our citizens are interested.
few days since our reporter spent an
hour in our cemetery, and instead Of finding
a neatly organized place, laid out in tasteful
walks and drives, and ornamented with flow
ers it resembled the open brush. The intend.
ed roads and passages were overgrown with
weeds and brush, and in many cases were in
such condition as to prevent lady or child
getting near some of the graves. The wooden
pailings were in many Enclosures broken and
mutilated, and everything around indicated
state of decay and a state of things which
savored Of gross neglect and which rebound
ed not to the credit of the heads nor hearts of
our citizens.
The cemetery is the property of the city,
and should be cared for by the corporate
body. The income accruing from the sale of
grave plots, if applied to improvements, should
be sufficient to keep the cemetery in proper
state of repair. This could we'll be done, and
should receive the attention of the council.
The grounds should be properly weeded, the
wooden pailing removed and their erection
prohibited, small stone barrier being erected
to supply their place. The grave lots should
be laid GU, on plan to secure a uniform ar
rangement, simplicity and uniformity being
the man thing. Water should be supplied,
and as it is easily obtained by tapping the sup
ply to government hill, there should be no
difficulty in this respect The present want
of water is fatal drawback to the cultivation
of flowers and such plants that add
charm to the scenic beauty of
our peaceful shades. Now flowers
cannot be cultivated without hauling water to
the cemetery, which entails an amount of cost
and trouble which few can stand. There
should be lodge at the cemetery and a city
official, called sexton or registrar, who should
be paid officer and who should reside upon
the premises. He should be required to see
that the cemetery was kept in proper order,
held responsible for its care, and have an Office
there where registrar of graves can be con-
veniently kept SO that an inquirer could
be directed to the grave he seeks.
Properly worked at fair cost, the fees for
interrments would cover the expense.
1t may be that some of our mossbacks hold
opinions similar to those Of Nottingham
Councillor, Sam Wright, who objected to the
erection of wall to surround the nottingham
cemetery on the ground "that them ats out
doesn't want to get in, and them 'ats in can't
get out" but such objections are unreasonable
and in the end will fail to stay progress in this
direction, for in any case the adoption of the
Improvements here urged is simply matter
of time.
Let the city do its part, clear the weeds ar
range matters in a respectable way, give
supply of water, and the cemetery will not
only be credit to our city but financial sue
cess. And when these improvements are made
or even'began. the friends of the dead will
take pride in seeing the graves of their be-
loved so cared for as to add an additional
beauty to the spot designated in the Anglo
Saxon Gods acre, hut while the cemetery is
in such disgraceful condition few are desr-
Gus of doing much in that direction, and there
is no encouragement for them to do it
Some of our readers may say this is Ill
very well, but can it be done! A-e
the ideas here enunciated as utopian
as they are commendable, or are they prac-
ticable! Experience demonstrates that these
ideas are not only practical but advantageous
in every way. There is, however, evidence of
this near home. Let the doubter take the
trouble to walk across the road where he will
find the military cemetery where as stated at
the entrance,
On fame's eternal camping grounds,
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
Enter then the gates, where he will find a
registrars office, and pass on. Although sep
arated only by few feet from the city ceme-
terry, he can think that he is outside the bane-
| full influence of moSsbackism. Around he
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