Connecticut western news., 1899-03-02
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Corn wall, Conn, Feb. 26. 1899.

0Ofn Nhli. 1Onu., c6D. ZOs AoSo. Editor Conn Western Nescs.
 May say, for the benefit of some of your recent correspondents, and of readers outside the town of Cornwall who may have gathered mistaken opin- ions from our free manner of criticising ourselves, that the place is not SO dead. so unsooial, 90 troubled by cliques, as might be supposed, though not yet perfect Witness these facts.
 During the last week at Cornwall Bridge there was a dance; at West Corn wall church sociable; at Cornwall an entertainment by the H. V. Institute Literary Society, and on the 22i . Washington party which brought the General himself to life again, dignifed and antique-though we did not before know that there was so much resen- blance between him and John Harrison The array of colonial attire was striking and admirable. Then, on Friday night there was Christian Endeavor rally en- tsrtained by the society in the First church, as which 75 sat down to Corn wall supper, and the chapel was after ward filled for religious service at which Rev Mr Ferns presided, social season intervening. In this rally there was a noteworthy degree of heartiness, sociability, and union, and as all six so- cieties in tho town were represented (none by less than seven present except Junior Society," it is hard to believe that serious division prevails any where. l have had four parishes, in East and West, in city and country. and I never knew one so harmonious. so little di- vided by cliques, as that of Cornwall. l cannot easily believe the other sections of the town are badly of in this respect And here, at the least, the social condi- ton is exceptional. Nobody who is we'll behaved is unable to move in good so- ciety, and there is no division whatever on money lines. Of course the Univer- sity Club does not include the illiterate, nor are all alike invited to every gather ing. But have you not noticed. Mir Editor. that the people who complain of social cliques and inequalities do not themselves invite everybody. any moe than do those whom they criticise?
 The people who complain of want of public spirit are generally those who are not themselves doing anything. or giv- ing anything for the public. to which, however, Pro Bono Publico is an excep- tion. Thus, in the eleven years that I have been in Cornwall, several residents have given for the school or for the ed- ucation of pupils in it. tbesides the Beers bequest) and have helped pupils from one end of the town to the other to . fair education, the gifts of the living donors averaging, so nearly as can judge, at least $500 year. The library furnishes free reading to many. and good reading at low price to all who will; either that at Cornwall or at West Cornwall. There is no little done for our common schools at private expense. There are many ways else in practice for serving the public, part of the roads have been SO cared for without cost to the town, sidewalks made. school books furnished, etc. etc But do not know that ever heard anybody who was do- ing these things complain of the want of public spirit.
 Another striking peculiarly of the place is its care for the sick. the poor. and unfortunate. Nobody except those who can work but will not. is allowed to suffer. There is more done for mutual assistance than ever knew to be done elsewhere. A long stone wall reminds me. when I drive along it, that it was built to furnish man work. I think. at cross-road, of how one of our select men and his neiehbor gave each two days, with man and team and them selves, to mending it without charge While I write these words . circular comes to say that by invitation of citi- sens of Cornwall Farmers' Institute ii to meet at West Cornwall chapel nex. Wednesday, March 1st, to which all the earth is invited, and supper st 6 p. m. furnished for whoever will stay to the evening session.
 It must be admitted that our roads are not very good. but probably there is not another town in Connecticut where it is harder, perhaps none where 1t is 80 hard, to maintain them. Corn wall expends almost all its 12 mill tax on roads and schools, though all the more advanced pupils go to the Insti' tute. The beauty of the Cornwall hills and valleys cannot be enjoyed withou, keeping roads that ascend and descend where every rain washes them badly. It is not want of public spirit that causes this difficulty; we do not sigh for some great roller to turn our scenery in. to flat prairie; we are trying to furnish beauty and pleasure at onr own cost. co far ss our pockets will allow. to summe, visitors, to passing tourists, to the neighbors who enviously look across our boundaries, to those who help ui on only by criticism. and to every body else. Respectfully Yours,
 E. c. 8. RESOLUTIONS