The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1897-04-22
Town improvement Society.
Somerset Argus

Somerset Argus
With the permission of the editor, |
would like to give report of what we
have been doing in the Town Improve
ment Society during the past year.
The work taken up during the spring
and summer months of ,9G, for the i'm
proYement of our town, began upon the
places where dumping had become a
nuisance. This was brought to the
notice of the town officers and notices
were put up, that no more dumping
would be allowed upon the banks of the
river on Vest Front St, south side. nor
upon the corn shop grounds, north side.
Railroad iron had been thoughtlessly
left beside the sidewalk, upon south
side. BY request, this was removed to
more suitable place, and a big stump,
that had annoyed the passer-by for
years, was given dose Of dynamite and
thus removed.
The committee placed basket in the
Post Office to catch the paper that is
sometimes thrown into the street. to
become an annoyance, and serve to
frighten timid horses. Now (of eoursel
no one will be SO needless. as TO
throw even a scrap of paper. into the
street. Our town officers have also
built shoot upon the north side of
North bridge (by request of committee)
where every business man upon the
street, that has refuse to dispose of will
be snre to put it, through this shoot
into the river, instead OF throwing it
from the sidewalk, on to the bridge or
banks, as usual.
We might, and ought to have, the
prettiest banks upon our lovely Ken
nehee, and if each man and
woman would see to it, that no refuse is
thrown upon them, they would soon be
covered with grass, vines, and wild
flowers. Through efforts of a com
mittee, water has been put into North
side cemetery, the roads made better
and refuse removed.
BY request the sewer upon Cross
street has been repaired, and
the street filled in. Other work
done has been, the clearing up of
the library grounds, and having the
grass cut weekly, through the summer.
Posters have been removed from electric
light posts and other places that were
made unsightly by them. A bill board
WAS removed near the end of the North
bridge. Burdocks have been dug up or
cut, upon many streets and weeds in
North side cemetery dug up, We hope
the coming year will be more fruitful in
good works, through the help of all the
towns people; as it is certainly as much
for the interest of one as another, that
the rough places shall be made smooth
and the town be made, in fact, "The
Garden spot of America
Three lectures were given in the sum-
mer by lawyers of our town, upons Munici.
pal Government "property rights
and "Wills," all of them interesting, aud
instructive. In the fall new depart
ment was added to the society, called a
parliamentary Glass The meetings
began in Sept. and continued until April
2nd, being held every second and fourth
Friday of the month. Lessons in parlia-
mentary law were given, at each meet
ing, Mrs. Clara b. Leayitt being in
structor At many of the meetings each
member made impromptu speeches and
questions were taken up and discussed.
Several of the subjects talked upon
were, "Woman's tendency to initiate
mar" GLOW shall our boys and girls be
taught to respect person, property, etc -
One afternoon we were entertained and
instructed with a fine paper, upon the
"Transvaal'
Some of the discussion were upon the
following questions:
ReSoircd, that immigration to the
United States should be restricted
ReSoired, that it is right for the United
States to assist Cuba in her noble
struggle for liberty.
ReSoircd, that woman suffrage would
be benefit to society.
ReSoired, that the kindergarten is the
highest form of education
ReSOired, that an education in morals
is of more Importance to the scholar,
than college education.
This department has been profitable
feature in our society and the interest
has steadily increa sed. The officers are
the same as last year, excepting secre-
tary. Mrs. Robinson resigned and Mrs.
Alice Lang was appointed in her place.
The directors are seven in number
Mrs. Caroline f. Philbrck, Mrs. Martha
Wing, Mrs. /ina Miller, Mrs Emma
French, Mrs +. A. Bickford, Mrs. Ii
Gilman, Mrs. Abby Robinson.