St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-12-06
ST. JOHNSBURY'S FUTURE.
Some Moral and Legal Aspects for Citi
zens to Think OF.

81. JOHNSBURH'S FUTURE.
Some Moral and Legal Aspects for Citi-
zens to Think OF.
AS was intimated in these columns
last week, when the electric light ex-
citement has subsidized there will be an
opportunity for little serious reflec-
ton on some matters of more vital i'm
portance to this towns welfare. There
are several considerations that should
lead to sober thought. The men who
have given the town a name and in
fiuence and whose munificent benefac-
tions and wise counsel have made St.
Johnsbury one of the best known and
most desirable places for residence in
all the land, are nearly all gone.
Death and emigration have made sad
inroads, and the men who are to give
shape to affairs for the next decade are
mostly new and untried. The ques-
tion comes without the asking, are
they sufficient for these things? St.
JOhnsbury cannot live and thrive
much longer on the reputation of what
it has been. If it shall maintain and
perpetuate what is worthy in it's record
it can not much longer refuse or neg
lect to grapple with the evils that
threaten its peace and prosperity.
Prominent among threatening evils
is lawlessness. This shows itself in
many ways-from the boys who attend
the public schools or carry their fa-
thers' dinners and who wantonly curse,
quarrel and use indecent language, to
the grown rowdies who parade the
streets evenings, hang about public
places and street corners in groups,
emitting tobacco juice and vulgarity,
and making insulting remarks to or
about every woman or girl that passes.
If the boasted civilization of this place
is worth anything the weakest and
poorest person who lives in it should
be protected in his or her right either
on the street or in places of public
gathering. Not only should the wives
and daughters of the place be free from
personal danger on the street but also
from the slightest approach to insult.
Every one who witnesses the reckless
throwing of snOwballs, stones, crab
apples and other missiles, in the busi-
ness part of the town especially, must
be aware to what risk the people who
have q right to the streets, especially
helpless women and children, are need
lessly subjected; while women and
girls whose business or pleasure takes
them to pOst-office, store, hall or
church evenings, are liable to gross
insult. No citizen can raise fruit in
this village. Apples are stolen while
yet green, and if the fruit trees are not
broken and injured by these vandals
| the owner may be thankful. Nothing
about ones premises is safe from youth
full marauders.
Such a state of affairs brings up the
natural enquiry, where are the authOri-
ties and officers of the law, elected for
the express purpose of protecting the
people in their inalienable public
and private rights Echo answers,
"Where ?" This town is of such size
and is made up of such elements that
the appointment of officers that will
dispense stern justice is imperative.
Otherwise citizens may as we'll give up
entirely to the hoodlum and lawless
element.
If the above are few plain facts, as
many readers know them to be, the
duty of the citizen is not far to seek.
His first duty is to save the youth il
possible from the evils which SO seri-
ously threaten him. To this end the
parent is first and largely responsible
The second step is to elect peace of
ficers who will see to it that the dear
est rights and privileges of the citizen.
male and female, are not trampled
upon.