The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-11
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Rural Improvement

l was much interested in reading a leader
of considerable length in the Journal re-
Gently under the above caption. 1t was IN
the main a truthful picture and worthy OF
the thoughtful consideration of the inhabit-
ants of the rural districts, to whom it was
specially dedicated, and who do unquestiona-
bly, pay too little regard to the comforts
and charms of their homes and surround
ings. However true the picture, l could
but think at the same moment that while
the writer of the article was so wildly see
ing these great needs and neg
lects OF his rural friends in the
distance, how imperfect his vision
was at a short range; for he
surely ought to be able to see neglect
and needed improvements everywhere
o. the city, and he ought to have
thought of another fact, when he was de-
scribing the horrible muddy roads OF the
country, that when his country friends came
to the city in their "best bib and tucker"
reaching here with unsoiled clothes, bad as
the country roads are, that they cannot even
drive up to the sidewalk to alight from
their vehicles without danger of having
their clothes ruined by stamping of horses
in the filthy and unsightly cutters along
every street in the city-notably, that
leading thoroughfare, West Washington
street And now right here, and in the name
and behalf of the American people, let me
ask whose duty is it to atate that shocking
nuisance, the filthy cutters.
L was not only pleased to notice the article
referred to, but also to notice another, imme-
diately following it, entitled "City and Coun-
try Cousins" as it seemed to bring to the sur
face a latent horticultural spirit that once
prevailed in the city in the days of Beecher'
and along up to the money-making mania
that succeeded the war, which seemed in a
great measure to ignore and neutralize its re-
filming influences, except at intervals and in
isolated cases here and there, and in place
thereof feeble demonstrations OF taste i'll ex-
travagant floral displays at weddings and
funerals by people who too frequently, il not
generally, cannot afford it. The same rule
applies to wedding presents and expensive
funerals, where the last dollar and credit goes.
to keep up appearances.
= horticulture, III the general acceptation of
the term, takes a wide range, including t1ori-
culture, ~pomOlogy, landscape gardening, etc.
And Notwithstanding this apparent decline
that appears upon the surface, there is, and
a0o ~ - NNhNE 1850 -
organization with its headquarters here, and
q Marion county society, with occasional
creditable exhibitions of much interest, but
which is scarcely known to exist by the
great mass of the citizens of Indianapolis,
where so much wealth and luxury abounds,
the true enjoyment of which could be i'm
measurably enhanced by a more perfect
study of natures richest treasures, scattered
profusely as it is about us everywhere. Even
''the foliage of a newly-clothed tree, to the
eve of a discerning man, in every leaf dis
plays a volume of the wondrous works of our
Creator" 1.-THE world is a lane from the
bower of Gods beauty, the sun a spark from
the light of his wisdom, and the sky a bub-
BILE on the ocean Of his power"
Ii will not do to say or suppose that all of
our citizens are indifferent to horticultural
taste or landscape art, for they are not, but
the masses are. II the newspapers of the
city would devote only a small corner of
their paper to friendly or unfriendly men
ton, as they may deserve, of the improved
or neglected places about the CT ty, according
to the observation of an intelligent reporter,
great good would be accomplished. Take,
for instance, the residence and small grounds
of Alfred Harrison, corner OF Meridian and
Michigan streets, as an example OF neatness
and completeness, which is not surpassed by
any place in the city, and vet it is by
no means what may be called an elegant,
stylish, or expensive place, but there
are few more complete in their plain, tidy,
homeiike appointments. Then, on the other
hand. take the dilapidated and forsaken-look-
ing grounds fronting the new capitol prop
erty between Ohio and Market streets, ex-
cepting the part of residence owned by Gov.
Hendricks. Is there no power vested in the
city to compel improvements and abate nui-
sances2 These are only isolated cases that
occurred to my mind for hasty comparison.
l was also not q little surprised that while
the writer in the Journal was cogitating over
The fruitful thpma Of rnraI i'm DrnyPmRnfS
and embellishments, how he could help see
ing what was in sight of the Journal office,
and at once make some suggestions
in regard to the needed improvements
of the place known as the Governors Circle.
Any admirer of beautiful grounds is shocked
at the bad management and neglect that
mars what might be a place Of beauty and
general admiration. just so long as those
dwarfed, stunted, starved, little, scrubby, ill
looking s~aplings are permitted to remain on
the grounds they will absorb and take up the
moisture and substance OF the soil needed
for the development of the body and
branches of those that might grow into fine
trees, making a grateful and beautiful shade
and enable grass, if frequently cut, to occupy
all the naked and unsightly spots and pre-
sent a rich, soft, velvety appearance. But
two-thirds of all that are within the grounds
must go and go quick if the beauty of the
others and those around the Circle are to be
preserved.
The same remarks are in a greater or less
degree applicable to the other parks about
the city which | may refer to, as well as the
finely and badly-kept places that l may no
tice from time 10 time in my morning and
evening rambles. FOOTBALLS.
INDIANAPOLIS.
The Present Political Status.
To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal.
Political Darties can exist but for one mr.