Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-11-02

70 discuss as has been snggA'ted TO me. but
to recall few of those in this pla"" in the
past three decades, as possibly imn shng a
specimen or sample fer the future to excel
All the churches and school buildings of
this village in this pe,i,d have eith' r been
greatly improve or entirely rebuff They
ave a credit to those who built and occupy
them as well IS representative of the best
element and solid worth OF our community
OF them you need no details.
The improvements in many of the build
ings in various parts OF our village have
been very otable in the decade JUST past,
and though OF private enterprise they indi-
cate a GOO d public spirit and aid in Great
ing good impressions. A few grass and
flower plots have been made at some
points, the generous contribution OF private
enterprise Even the winter and early
$, ring plants in our home windows are
public benefit in that they give good i'm
pressions not only of the home but of the
town.
Oak Hill cemetery, our city Of the dead,
with all its sad and tender memories, |
should not be forgotten as among the most
not able improvements of our village. Nor
vet the chairman Of the cemetery commits
sioners, who has bad almost the entire
charge of the building of the same, who
has SO freely given his time to it and who
is soon to make a fine addition to the
entrance-Mr. j. G. Day The good
work in it and The fine view frem it attract
the attention and admiration of all visitors
ar strangers who pror ounce it as among
the most attractive in TIE Connecticut val
lev. The improvements in it have been
constant every season for many years and
our own people do not fail to appreciate it.
| Other improvements would include our sys-
t. m of water supply, sewerage, telephone
and electric lighting. Thus it will be seen
that our place has kept abreast with the
times and other places of its size.
Here / might add what has come to my
mind while sitting upon this platform this
evening, in hearir g the exec lent music by
the choir and orchestra, that the advance
aud progress Of music in this place in the
last 20 years is worthy OF mention among
the improvements Of our village. Good
and in it there is lots of good preaching
Let us return for moment to a promi-
nent business event in our history preced-
| ing those related in the foregoing. In
1869 We had no place at all adequate for
the purpose of public gatherings. Some
20 men therefore-there may have been a
few more associated themselves together
for the purpose of erecting business block
which was also to contain a public hall,
the result of this was Union hall 1t
was this union of our people that gave it
that name and to this day it has proved
constantly useful and valuable even for its
original purpose as public hall 1t was a
good combination of both business and
public spirit.
Eleven years ago our town hall building
was erected. In many respects it was an
important accession to our village. The
first meeting held in it was one of the most
enthusiastic and free spirited gatherings
ever held in this town. The object of the
meeting was to lay the foundation for
a public library. There is "policy in
war" and therefore in the notice for this
meeting it was announced that the scenery
of the stage would be exhibited for the first
time at the close of the meeting. Over
700 people were present and OF course
they stand to the close. The meeting be-
ing organized Judge Read-whoI am glad
to know is to speak here this evening-wa,
the first person to address the audience.
He made one of those stirring speeches
which the people on that occasion were
ripe for and glad to hear, and closed by
offering a liberal subscription for f ee
library. For few moments we raised
a hundred dollars minute. From this On
our campaign for library went up to
nearly $4,000. Among the generous gifts
soon after was one of $1,000 from the same
gentleman who pre- sented this church with
this organize Hon. William A. Russell.
This brief relation of our efforts at that
here tonight, since you were in it and very
generously a part OF it, but it stands out
as one of the best instances OF public spirit
ever manifested in this place, and it could
not we'll be omitted.
} More as to our village history in the
past 80 years, either as incentive or exam
ple you do not need, therefore let us press
on to other fields Of usefulness and i'm
provement for the future.
4 Some OF you will see half of the next
century, more will see the first quarter and
we will not doubt your will tor public
spirit and high standard. OF course not.
You will be greater in numbers and greater
in resources You will not let the moss
grow in your pathway, nor refuse to look
at the new moon on account OF the respect
YOU entertain for the old one. Oh, no,
4 YOU will stand firmly for that public spirit
and impro, ement which shall elevate the
religious, mental, moral and social happi-
ness of a community.
An incident as to motive power was so
neatly brought out at the recent Christian
Endeavor meeting here that it is well
worth repeating, because it applies so
WE'LL though most of you very likely heard
it. 1t was the Chinaman's story Of the
American-Spanish war. Said he, 1.-The
Spaniards they talkee, talkee, but the
Americans they doo-ee, doo-ee." dewey,
Dewey. 1t is the positive moving power
that wins, and the union of business pros
perity with improvement and public spirit
will bring happiness and contentment to
a people in both church and state.
i n II