The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-09-11
The village Improvement question

L
The Village Improvement Question.
BENNINGTON, VT, Sept. 10th, 1891.
Editor Bdnner:-The article from Mrs.
Valentine, president of the Village I'M
provement Society, proves that the valor
of 177T, and the courage of 1901, is still
the inheritance of free people. General
John Stark battled against vast odds,
even the congress of the people assaulted
him, but he gained ultimate and decisive
triumph. The Village land town. I'm
provement Society, contends against
odds; even the people whom it serves
and defends seem hostile, but the battle
goes bravely on, and triumph must re-
suit. 'f2 ...-
Suggestions provoke discussion; argu-
ment confirms the majesty of the cause,
and conflict, patriotism, reason and
necessity, secures triumph for the cause
of public improvement. .->.
Suggestion: Organize a committee of
one hundred citizens committee or
council of safety, who pledge to pay five
dollars each year for five years (say from
April LIST, 1892, to 1897 inclusive), to pro-
mote the health, happiness, adornment
and prosperity of Bennington, stipulat-
ing that this committee may, by a two
thirds vote, correct any possible misap-
plication of the fund, Or betrayal of trust.
This would be popular, and not an
oppressive, subscription, also a nucleus
for other, larger or lesser contributions.
l am confident that the ladies can secure
two dollars orvalue for such expendi-
lures, where men would not get one dol
lar of service or return.
True, suggestions are not ian ample
fund.- neither can one, deny that "ntis
easier to struggle with surplus than a
deficit e. ....a- ~. ..,.. ........
My purse and inclination are at vari-
ance, hence can only aid, coupled with
every desire and good wish, popular APP
probation of the worth and value of the
heroic efforts of the improvement So
ciety. .,.;-... t A. P. CHILDs.
P.S. beg to include letter from
Capt. Fred w. Childs, Estey Guard, Brat
tleboro, Vt, which explains itself.
A.P. C.
BRArTLEBoRo, VT, Sept. Sth, 1891.
DEAR BRoTHER:-Replying to your
queries re Village Improvement Society.
The Society was organized for the pur
pose of improving and identifying the
village. 1t is democratic in its organiza-
ton and work. 1t has president and
number of vice-presidents, executive
committee whose chairman has charge
of the work in hand. 1t is the aim of
the Society to select some one who has
taste and executive push and who will
secure the most work for the money.
Mr.. Hawley is the chairman of this COM
mittee this year and others have had
their turn at it. The subscriptions are
largely secured by the young women of
the town who are elected at the annual
meeting. Besides we manage to have
an occasional entertainment for the ben
eft of the Society's exchequer. What
do we accomplish? Well, we keep the
streets clean in connection with the
bailiffs who work in harmony with the
Society. We trim the turf along the
highways, and border the walks inside
with strips of turf to make the whole
uniform. We plant flower beds at the
junction of the streets, and change the
flowers with the change in season, for
instance; in the early part of the season
hyancinths, then tulips, then roses and
geraniums and so on. The beds are in
different shapes and are kept up by one
or two men who are engaged by the sea-
son. Besides it is the duty of these men
to cut the grass along the highways and
keep the street tidy and free of stones.
You would be surprised to know how
much good mau can accomplish in a
season with some one to look after the
work. Besides this there is general
effort of the people themselves, to keep
their premises tidy and attractive.
Some of us, as in our peighborhood,
club together and hire man to 90
around our places or around the terrace
and clean the roadway and cut the turf
once a week, in this way we supplement
the work of the improvement Society
and generally have a clean and attractive
highway which adds greatly to our prem
ises.
You ask does this pay? Ask the prop
e~ty holders if it has paid. We believe
it materially adds to the value of our
bones and it certainly attracts summer
boarders to the town, which is one of the
chief sources of income to our people.
The Improvement Society is no longer
an experiment but one of the institutions
of our town and many places throughout
New England have patterned after our
work which has now become pleasant
feature with our people.
Once each week the bailiffs send
teams through the main streets and all
refuse is carried away and the streets
are thoroughly cleaned. Everybody is
willing to contribute to this work and
the subscriptions are generous at the
dollar figure. The work is certainly
worth all it costs and we could not do
without this society, without injury TO
our property. Nothing attracts the eye
of visitor like.clean and tidy streets,
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