The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-03-30

Owing to counter attractions of
both public and private character,
q rather slim audience was present
last night to hear DR.. Northrop
lecture on ''Village improvements"
Those that did attend, however,
were highly pleased with the adj
dress. President Dole and other
government officials were noticed
in the audience.
Following is a verbatim report of
the lecture
It is my privilege here to address an
audience of such culture as will prefer
practical hints to any verbal ornamen-
tations. I shall, therefore, present
the subject in it's plainest way. At
the outset you will ask what has been
done in village Improvements in the
United States. The earliest associa-
tion was one formed by James Hill
house, long representing Connecticut
in the United States Senate, who or
ganized the Public Green Association
and raised $500 for grading the green
and planting elms. For such devo-
tion to his town he is more honored
today in New Haven than for all his
valued services as United States Sena-
tor at Washington and for many Off
cial positions at home. He began
mOdestly with scant means when New
Haven was small place; his infu-
ence and example is still felt in main
tanning a healthful local pride, insur.
ing liberal appropriations from the
city and legacies from individuals for
public improvements. The earliest of
the later associations was one started
by Miss Mary Hopkins, a kinswoman
of Mark Hopkins, President of Will
bridge was thoroughly transformed.
The society was incorporated and dur
ing the last forty years has received
many large gifts; one of $25, 900 for q
reading room and lecture hall, by her
husband, J. G.. Goodrich. Another OF
$4,000 from Cyrus w. Field, and dur
ing the last year of his life his brother,
David Dudley Field, gave to Stock
bridge fifty eight acres of land for
beautiful mountain park, and $1,000
for its cultivation and improvement;
The anniversary of this society has
been fitIy observed on the fourth
Wednesday of every August; COM
last August, forty years
Of successful work. Every acre of
land and every homestead in Stock
bridge, has appreciated by reason of
the work of this society.
How can we organize an improve
ment society where there is little pub
lie spirit is q question frequently
asked. Experience shows that the
best way to begin this work Is to in
terest all classes by free lecture ex-
planning the aims and results of sOci-
cites elsewhere, and then at once to
make an organization. It is essential
to maintain an entire separation OF
local affairs or state and national poll
tics. The best services of an efficient
society is the solvent it
provides for the animosities of politics
and sectarianism. In furnishing
safe, common ground for the exercise
and mutually beneficial activity,
society engaging all classes, instead of
One or two, will be more successful
than when it includes one class or set.
The main difficulty is at the outset,
and is due to the inertia of indiffer-
ance or Of ignorance of this subject
Most communities wait for the inn
pulse of q leader. Many efficient asso-
eiations have been formed by women
and Of nearly all, a part of the officers
are women II the executive COM
nittee numbers fifteen, advise that
eight should be women. There is
growing number Of such societies com.
Drlsed of women, to which men
are admitted as honorary members.
Women succeed better in getting
money and in securing cooperation Of
al classes. The CO. operation of all
classes once aroused, there are few
,hings that these societies cannot do:
heir aims varying of course with
ocal means include municipal re-
orm, sanitary imp. .ovements, especf-
Ally as to water supply and sewerage
md disposal of waste; the improve
nent of roads, of sidewalks, of parks,
and other public grounds
those around railway sta
ions, organizing free town Libraries
md removing Duisances ard front
ences. They are the rural counter
parts of the urban boards of trade; the
of those who will really
erve their town with no thought of
he lOaves and fishes. The funds for
hese societies come from member
hip fees, life memberships ranging
rom $40 to $780,. according to the
wealth andliberality of the community
md often from nOn-residents, form
.rly natives, interested with the im-
of the old homestead. We
ire living in a new era of benevo-
ence. Gladstone says more money
las been accumulated during the last :.