The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-28

AN PARIS

AN AMERICAN PARIS.
Our object is to mako Chicago like
Paris" That was the keynote OF ar
important meeting held the other day
in the Columbian directory's quarters
The members Of the assembly had me-
in response to an invitation sent out by
the Union League club, and they repre-.
sented all the best interests, social and
commercial, Of the oity. Their subse.
quent action showed a clear conception
OF some of the most pressing needs OF
every ambitious city. Chicago, it was
felt, would become the eynosure of all
eyes in 1898, and there was unanimous
agreement that it was the duty of all
patriotic citizens to aid the city to show
to greatest advantage. How that object
was to be accomplished, the report of a
special committee set forth in detail. 1t
shall be the business of the association
to cooperate with and support the con-
stituted authorities in all practical ways
in securing the observance OF municipal
requirements pertaining to street and
sanitary regulations. It's aid shall be
given in creating a more vigorous pub
lie sentiment in favor of identifying the
city and increasing it's attractiveness.
Where and when it is found desirable,
it shall urge the adoption of new munic-
ipal regulations to restrain street en-
croachments aud secure the fullest pro-
lection and freedom in street travel.
Plans for the embellishments of the city
are to be suggested and encouraged.
Through the agencies of example, COM
plant and active endeavor, the %associa-
ton hopes to enlist the cooperation of
citizens and corporate bodies in main
tanning cleanliness in streets and alleys,
IN securing the removal of unsightly OBJ
lects and structures, in abating prac-
tees and nulsances injurious to the
good name of the city, and in such gen.
eral improvements as shall tend to i'm
part attractiveness to it's public thor
oughfares.
In the formation of such an a%ssocia-
ton with such objects in view, Chicago
does herself honor. The western ne
tropolis is gong to reap vast advantages
from the Worlds fair, but none of them
will be OF more permanent benefit
than the results of the associations
work. Its spirit, its object, it's
methods are all deserving of imi-
tatlon. 1t is not every western
city that ear hope to become the site of
a future universal exposition, but there
Is not or that cannot reap advantage
from the movement Initiated in Chicago.
Ii Helena hopes to see the fruition of
the hopes that many entertain for the
city, it must take action on similar lines.
We want just this same cordial cooper
alton from all our best citizens. From
all of them. He is a niggard who hangs
back and let's others expend their
money, in the hope OF future profit
which he has neither deserved nor
worked for. Helena has such men. Let
them look to Chicago, feel ashamed of
themselves, and take hold. We need
the creation of a healthy public senti-
ment in favor of the identifying of our
city. Municipal ordinances are all very
we'll IN their place, but they are not all
powerful. Back of them we want an in
telligent public, with the clear idea that
the Improvement of the city means in
creased population, increased work, and
increased prosperity. And we are not
going to reach the goal we are aiming
for by the injection of national politics
wholesale into municipal matters. The
Chicago men have recognized this fact.
They do not meet and enquire the poll
tics of each others. They did not DIS
cuss the political chances of either
Blaine, Harrison, or Cleveland. They
had more sense. 1t was as citizens of
Chicago that they came together. For
the time, Chicago was their first and
only interest. They were determined to
show outsiders that an American city
could vie with any foreign one in the
cleanliness and the beauty of it's ar
engagements. But to do it, they had to
take a leaf out of the foreigners book,
and they banished all mention of poll
tics from their municipal council! table.
And they are going to be successful; not
a doubt about it. The members of that
association are the best heads IN the
city OF Chicago to-day; and, when they
put those heads together, success is sure
to be the outcome. The Inauguration
OF the association and it's work means a
new and better future for Chicago, and
thec% citizens of Helena cannot afford to
neglect the lesson.