The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-05-20


Cows are not particularly valuable as
grass cutters in streets or along other
highways. 1t might be necessary t,
ask the aid of the law in some Cases
or TO persuade the local editor to de
vote less space to disenergizing and
dlsorganizing party politics and the
cries Of finance and more to the advo.
cacy OF policies of progress and village
economy; but much will be accom-
plished if few of the leaders of local
opinion scatter, by work done aaou'
their own homes, the germs Ct i'm
proyenent. 1t will be found 10 be a
contagious disease, hard to be resisted
and will soon develop into friendly
rivalry of most gratifying character.
Most Southern towns are, Of course,
handicapped in such a field by a GER
tain element among their population,
but thoroughness of example and pa
thence in applying the right kind OF
pressure will accomplish much in that
direction. 1t is very difficult to drive
weeds out of a garden, but it can be
done, even if some of the weeds are not
reclaimed
Individual action may, by compare
lively slight exertion, accomplish much
in Transforming the hot highways into
cool and shady avenues. The corpo-
rate work Of Charleston in replacing
IS rapidly as possible the handsome
trees destroyed by storm is hint for
residents of towns where trees are
scarce. They should have an arbor
day, and by proper care they will in a
few years add much to the beauty,
comfort and healthfulness of their sur
roundings.
At this point it may be necessary to
secure the cooperation OF the author
tiles. While the individual may i'm
prove his own lot by draining his waste
water from his premises even in an
open cut, the indirect means of taxa
ton may be necessary for the construc-
ton of an underground system that
will remove the sewage to point
where it will cease to menance health,
and to change the highway from a
mud-hole in winter and a dust-hea D
in summer to a wellgraded surface Of
rotten rock, macadam, fibre, oyster
shells or planks. Good drainage
means cleaner and more wholesome
water supply even where dependence
has to be had upon surface wells. The
experience of Memphis is an illus,ra-
ton on large scale of the excellen,
social and business results of sanitation.
Good roads mean cleanliness for houses
bordering on them, economy for traffic
over them and, as they are gradually
extended into the country, an encour
agement for the farmer to engage in a
little village improvement by straight
ening up his fences and outbuildings,
whitewashing his barns and suppressing
the weeds everywhere.
These general suggestions should be
adapted to the needs of different To-
calities. Attention has already been
given in many towns to this feature or
that, and hints applicable to one place
may be superhuous for another. For
perfect success, however, it should be
generally borne in mind, first, that
public spirit and cooperation intelli
gently directed are primarily requisites
for the improvement Of the average
community; second, that the means
are attention to cleanliness and neat
ness, sanitation and safety, comfort
anG convenience of visitors and resi-
dents, and, third, that the results will
be not only an actual reduction in Ger
tain expenses in the long run, but also
an enhancement of the value Of prop
erty, progress for the community, and
for the individual happiness, that quail
ity which cannot be reckoned on a
cash basis, but which is rather to be
desired than great riches.
Persons who are troubled with indiges-
a., ~