The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-07-30
MOntpelier's Needs.

Eduor Of the Vdtchman With so many
elegant residences, commodious public
buildings churches of modern mould, the
best band in the state, postal accommoda-
tOns, charming scenery, splendid water
supply, well lighted streets, etc, it seems at
first like crticising an approximation
toward perfection in calling attention to
the needs of Montpelier, and of course,
readers beyond the circle Of our village will
so understand these letters. A village is
the visible and concrete expression of the
personality of its inhabitants. Cowper says
that God made the country, but man
made the town." and both makers express
themselves in their work. The man who
found a city of brick and left it a city of
marble expressed himself in the form and
quality of the new surroundings, and men
are doing this the world over, from the
midst of circle of Indian tents all up
through the grades of civilization to the
polished and symmetrically shaped lines of a
cathedral. Byron, perfect in every other
way, had one deformed foot. Now it would
be maniestly unjust in speaking of Byron
to exhibit that foot as representing the
whole man. 1t will be understood that
these letters concern only the deformed
foot of Montpelier if she has one.
The deepest needs of the village may be
met by cultivating spirit which shall de-
mand their supply. They can be met in no
other way The young men must have
tastes beyond the street corners and the
saloons before a Young Mems Christian
Association room, cheerfully lighted and
thoroughly furnished with the best liter
ature of the day, can successfully compete
with the street corner and the saloon. We
need such a room, but we must have a de-
mand for it on the part of those for whom it
is intended before it can be a success In
Brattleboro, st. Johnsbury, Rutland, Bur-
lington and other places it is a success, and
should be here.
Entertainments during the fall and winter
seasons by the best moulders of speech and
song the nation offers would seem a de-
srable thing but if burned cork" is in
demand burned cork will hold the au-
dience against all comers, though De-
mosthenes should rise from his Grecan bed
and Jennie Lind from under the English
daisies. One is reminded of the laconic
criticism Abraham Lincoln made on an
essay gentleman almost forced him to
hear. He said: Well, if a man likes that
sort of thing, it is just the sort of thing he
will like" This entertainment business is
one of the toes on the deformed foot of our
village.
Our Capital hall is by no means palace,
and should not be extensively advertised as
a model building for the transaction of pub
lie business. Perhaps this is the big toe on
that foot. If it is kept in the interests of in
frequent gatherings and short meetings it is
a grand success, for nobody would wish to
go there often or stay long. 1t looks all the
more uncomely beside the beautiful struc-
lures rising up all around it.
Perhaps some benevolent citizen is al
ready thinking of giving the village pub
lie park. 1t is just the thing we need, with
walks, flowers, trees, fountain and a band
stand where the evenings could be made a
delight to all grades of society in the COM
munity. Our cemetery of course is beauti-
full, but it seems a little out of harmony
with the fitness of things to ask the dead to
provide for the pleasure of the living. Yet
the cemetery is the most attractive place
we have We do not wish it less so, but q
park would be paradise to many a weary
worker and an honor to the villag'. What
Mr.. Williams has done for Woodstock, Mr..
Billings for Burlington and Mr.. Fairbanks
for St. Johnsbury some one will yet do for
Montpelier in the gift of public library.
Great praise is due TO those who have built
up and sustained the library we already v
possess 1t has prepared the way and
aided greatly in creating taste for the
| good writing of the age, which can not fail
to be fully gratfied in the near future.
Here is another chance for benevolent
action-the gift of a beautiful drinking
/ fountain for man and beast set in some
| conspicuous place in the center of the viii
/ lage. But the question would arise, per-
| haps, in some mind I" Is water the popular
! beverage among us?" There's the rUb
Cleanliness should be permanent and uni
CerSdl among us. Remember, we are only
speaking of that foot. The village as a
whole is clean. To speak of it as other than
this is a libel on one of the most healthful
villages in the state. But One has said
" He that is clean needeth not save to wash
his feet" That is our condition. The un-
clean foot of the village must be washed
1t is a big one, perhaps, but the board OF
health has it in the bath-tub, and it will
come out all right. Keep it right. The
length of the cleaning period should not be
governed by the death-rate. If the pig
must go, let him stay gone. But that pig
may not be the worst we have to deal with
There are different kinds of pigs. We need
thorough, systematic work in the matter OF
cleansing the village, and a responsible
person in that department, who shall be
sustained in his action by the undivided
] slrength OF public opinon. RespectfnllY.