The Press., 1893-09-28
AN IDEAL INDUSTRIAL CoMMUN
 ITY.

AN IDEAL INDUSTRIAL COMMUN-
 ITY.
 For over quarter of century it had been our purpose to at some time visit the town of Manchester, more particular ly South Manchester, village of nation. al fame as an ideal factory place and as containing the greatest manufactory of | fine silk goods on the continent. Located just off the main line of railroad it has seemed an undertaking to get there. Ii will seem easier, hereafter, also the in. ducements to go there will seem greater. | When announcement was made that the September meeting of the Connecticut Editorial Association would be held al Manchester there seemed to exist com. bination of circumstances to attract a large attendance of members and theil wives in tho desire to see the town, in the pressing and hospitable invitation oi it's people through genial Brother Ella of the Herald, also the desire to do honor to MT. Fla, who as president and member has done so much to make the associa- tion a practical benefit to it's members as we'll as harmonious and pleasant social organization
 Containing larger population than some American cities, the town of Man. chester is like great pleasure park where none are crowded. The surroundings at the station are not particularly noticeable, and the railway passenger gets scant idea of the beauty of the town. South Man. chester had seemed afar off, and the place much scattered. Yet in this scattering lies the charm of the town as fully inspect ed. It is picturesque in it's rambling way, particularly so as we enter the wide spread community known as South Man chester. The branch road leading to this village is but two miles long. You never know just when you get within the village limits. You ride into great park, get out at an unpretentious but pretty sta tion, and see amid the thick foliage here and there 0 tasty building, public or Ies- idence, and everywhere fine lawns, with broad well kept avenues and walks. A great group of brick mills standing with in well kept lawns is the chief indication that there must be a great village hidden somewhere in the groves about you. Op- posite the station is fine brick structure, a public hall, built and cared for by the Cheneys, free to every proper use, and which has never paid cent of revenue to it's builders. Any church or society may use it; it's doors are always open, and a janitor always present to keep proper light and warmth. A fine pipe organ and grand piano are free to use of any prac- titioner, the only privilege enjoyed by the owners above those of the community be- ing that of paying for and caring for the property. Hall is but the modest name for fine theater of large capacity grand ly finished in hard wood, having well fitted stage and scenery. The freedom of the building extends to the floor below, where well fitted lodge room gives a free home to every village society, the happy family of these numbering thirteen, the masonic fraternity alone owning a hall of their own. Adjoining the lodge room is large furnished banquet room and kitchen.
 The building described is one of seve- ral illustrations of the liberal spirit of the founders of the village, the Messrs, Che ney. We did not visit the fine free libra ". Any one is free to come and go, and feel all the sense of proprietorship they may in these and many other magnificent pl ovisions for their comfort.
 So we stroll through the avenues of this great public park, past cottages and mansions in democratic proximity, now and then a mill, church ol store. The school building is the most metropolitan edifice that meets our gaze, being in fact a great group of buildings in their well kept park, and wherein 900 systems oi ideas are being trained to shoot aright. A little further on we come to a cluster of stores, also fine brick building which VIC enter and find to be one of the finest country hotels in the state. Orford Hall is new building, opened to business last July, and is finished throughout with hard woods, brass bedsteads and rugs in all sleeping rooms, gas and electric lights, heated throughout by steam, etc. Has elegant banquet and ball rooms, the latter first opened for this gathering, fine To- cal orchestra filling the time before the opening of the association's business meeting. This fine hotel, looking out upon the Park City (Bro. Sharpe of the Seymour Record gives it this fitting name, is an ideal travellers rest. South Man. chester is proud of it, and it has need to be nice to take rank among the good things of South Manchester.
 The silk mills it is great pleasure to inspect, we shall always feel grateful foI this pleasure as afforded us under the guidance of Hon. John s. Cheney and those detailed by. him. Over 30 acres oi flooring and over 2000 operatives. J.S Cheney just remembers the raising of tho first mill building, in 1886. A six horse power engine and 12 employees was the working force. From this small begin ming has come this mighty plant. Eigh brothers were interested in the start, anc the sons of these now direct the works
 
 AAkelAn.