The Press., 1896-12-10

Il NfSNA' and his family will leave town Monday.
 The w. 0. T. U.s will hold their regu, lar meeting next Friday, at o'clock, with
 Mrs. A. N. Nichols. A full attendance is
 desired.
 A party went to Orcuttville one evening
 this week and played whist with repre- sentatives of that village, who thought they had sure thing. The result show
 ed the superiority of the Stafford Springe
 players, but a chance will be given Or cuttville to even up.
 The annual meeting of the borough be- ing near at hand, the question comes up 1 in the minds of some whether the citizens | will instruct the court of burgesses to ask I for an amendenent to the borough charter, or the matter be allowed to go over a while longer. Under our biennial legis- lation system whatever is to be asked for or obtained from state authority must be brought up this year or passed over until 1898, and the resultant good obtain ed three years hence, or in 1899. Few, who have given the matter thought, fail to perceive the weakness and costliness of our present system of annual change of officers, often bringing entirely new men into action to complete, or undo, the work of the departing board. Seldom does 1t so happen that board can insti- ute and complete, within one year, all the work that occasionally becomes necessary to be done. It oftimes happens that work begun passes entirely out of the hands of men who commenced 1t. A new board essays to finish it and chops off, substi- tutes or modifies plans, and at the end of their term another new board comes in who set to work to undo all or most of what their predecessors supposed they had permanently esta tahlished. The public even patient to a certain degree, submit for b season, then bestir themselves and proceed to make 8 new turn and elect others to still further undo or overturn. For years it was do, undo, do over, and renew and replace what the proceeding board had done. While the system of dirt roads prevailed the extra and useless cost could be borne and much of the unneces- sary expenditure laid to our hilly roads and costly grades. Now that we have started upon a system of stone roads we cannot afford to risk the undoing and overturning of grades and lines. Good plans must be matul ed and held to. It is not necessary to specify any of the many changes made by new boards take any one that comes to mind, and supposing three of the six burgesses had been on the board the year previous to the times of the work in hand, would there of been a hap-hazard doing or undoing of the work Would the three new burgesses, contemplating the succeeding year of their responsibility, permit shabby, inn perfect, or qnWarraqted work to be con- pleted? Would the three older burgesses consent to their years work being qndone? Not at all. On the other hand all steps taken would be we'll and carefully consid- cred before being put into operation Why not, then, take steps to have the borough charter amended, SO that in 1897 we will elect three burgesses for one year and three bqrgesses for two years, and each year there after, elect three hQrgesses for two years. By this system four out of seven new men can be put in the board each year, if desired. The only objection ever raised against the plan has been that of. the difficulty of getting the right man to accept the office for so long term. To thoughtful men, seeking the best in- terest of the borough, such argument is painful to contemplate; refecting as 1t does upon the true public spirit of those who have much at stake. True it is hard to get any man who values peace of mind and the good wishes of his fellow citizens to accept 8 reelection to the court of burgesses. But why2 It is because the duties are so terribly trying9 No! In spite of the fact that he who does bis duty manfully and cPeditably gets the "cuss- ing" of men, who would be heartily ashamed of themselves ifthey fully realized the position in which they placed them- selves. before tine welfare of the commun- tty. 1I1 spite of these unpleasant experi- ences, ehe office would be accepted and it's disagreeable burdens borne patiently and faithfully if the certainty of an ex- perienced board of co-workels could be assured. Once the plan of longer term of office was well established the results would prove so satisfactory and such source Of pride to the offices and public that much of the dislike for the office would pass away, and 1t would be looked upon as more of privilege and honor to be associated with those who had part in developing and truly improving the borough. In order to avail ourselves of the privileges of the next legislation, we have no time to loose, for the matter of an amendment to the charter must have three weeks publication before the open ing of the general assembly. Starting with the week of our annual election we have just time and none to spare.
 Stafford.
 Do you want something for a Christ mas present Step into Mrs. Simonds' millinery store and see her line of Christ mas novelties.
 MT. and Mrs. E. c. Pinney returned Saturday from trip to New York.
 Annual communication of Wolcott Lodge next Thursday evening. A full attendance desired.
 Mrs. J. A. Slmonds was away the first of the week selecting Christmas goods for the holiday trade.
 The topic for the Y. P. s. c. E. next Sunday evening is: "How to strengthen our faith in Christianity"
 Do you wish to enjoy rare treat? If so, attend the vesper services at the Uni versalist church some Sunday evening.
 The Bible class of the Baptist church will meet with Mrs. Annie Black next Friday evening at 730, for Bible study.
 The Ladies' Aid Society, of the Baptist church, will meet next Wednesday afte1- noon for work, and will serve supper as usual from 5.30 until 7 o'clock,
 The body of Charles Smith, who died in Westford, was brought here for burial in the Village cemetery Monday, Rev. J. l. Bartholomew, of the Springs M. E. church, officiating.
 In the absence of Rev. F. L. Batchel- der, Rev. Asa Randlett occupied the pull pit of the Baptist church last Sunday and preached two very interesting sermons, morning and evening.
 Mrs. James Holbrook had narrow es- cape from serious injury Monday. She was descending the basement stairs, when she fell, striking on her head. Fortunatly no serious cOnseuuences resulted