The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-08-02
Friday, Aug. z, 1889.
improvements Possible in Small
Towns.

From an article under the above
caption we make liberal extract.
Rising Sun has avaiIed itself Of
several of the suggestions of the
writer from which the town has pros
pered greatly but their are others
which might be adopted with profit,
and one of these is what is said in
reference to roads and still another
which will bear special considera-
ton in regard to the local paper
But here are the writer's suggestions.
Good roads represent one of the
most important improvements that
can be made. They facilitate ingress
and egress, and wonderfully help
the growth of a town as trading
center. Between two places, one
reached by smooth, hard road, and
the other by a miry, rutty track,
many persons would choose the for
mer for marketing, even if twice
TIE distance. A good road is an
every day convenience enjoyed by
all, and it conduces greatly to the
thrifty appearance of the place
through which it runs. Road max.
ing, it is true, costs no little time
and work, or there equivalent in
money; but where the people are
energetic and public spirited, ana
while some contribute funds others
furnish labor, the object can general
ly be accomplished, where an expen-
sive public building would be out OF
the question.
Good churches and schools do not
necessarily involve a great outlay
of money, for it is the institution
aad not the building that is the
chief consideration. This is matter
in which the character rather than
the wealth of tie inhabitants is con-
cernei, and the fact that town has
a high religious and educational
status will assert itself without the
aid of costly structures. In the
same way, public library and read
ing room is not an expensive insti-
tuition. A modest building will give
all the needed accommodation, and
books and periodicals are cheap.
The local newspaper, if there is
one, should be well supported
Money spent in aiding the journal is
we'll laid out, as it advertises the
place in all quarters. and from it
strangers draw differences favorable
or otherwise as to the community.
The people should insist on having
alive, enterprising publication, and
should not grudge the requisite sup
port. We do not approve of the
petty spirit of interference which
makes subscription conditional on
on the insertion of an item, but the
men of ability and business force in
town have it in their power to
educate and strengthen the hands of
the editor in many ways, and a wise
editor will welcome the suggestions
of such men, if made with puplc
motive.
Many simple and easy improve
ments might be mentioned that COL
lectively would make a great differ
encc in the condition and appearance
of a place. Every town can have
shade trees along it's streets, giving
beauty to the most monotonous and
converting pretty avenues into liv
ing pictures. Good sidewalks add
to appearance, comfort and safety
and trim, neat fences are the ones
worthy the name. The keeping of
streets and yards free from refuse
and the encroachments of stray ami
mails, as tending to general health
and we'll being, ought to commend
itself sufficiently, without any pre-
MUM to encourage the inhabitants
to the effort,
For all such improvements Ger.
tain leadership is wanted, and there
are generally in every place indiv.
iduals qualified to direct. Let one
of these breach the matter, and let
those willing to take hold, constitute
themselves an Improvement com
mlttee. Besides general improve
ments there are needed in almost
every town, certain industries that
unlike a cotton mill or furnace.
require only moderate capital to
start, Undoubtedly by a Joint
effort industries might be established
that would pay in themselves and
open the way to fnrther progress.
In the same way many business facili.
ties might be introduced that would
make the place more desirable as a