Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-04-12
BEAUTIFY THE TOWN
THIS Is A WORK THAT IS BEST
UNDERTAKEN BY WOMEN.
What Can he Accomplished by
Arousing Interest In This Most Inn
portant Matter-There In No Town
That Cannot he Improved.


The later years of the nineteenth
century have given us an indication of
advancing civilization that is destined
to have a much greater influence on the
artistic tendency of the coming gener-
atoms than is generally realized says
Velma G. Melville in The Housekccper.
refer to the town and village associa-
lions that are being rapidly organized
in various parts of the country and
which are bound to increase more rap
idly as the results already obtained
awaken interest among people. 1t is
very evident that the work of beautfy
ing the smaller places must be under
taken by women. Weeds and rubbish
must be cleared away and unsightly
places made beautiful. Already local
clubs have taken up the matter, and it
seems that the movement only lacks
the adoption by the great federation to
make 1t universal. When 100000 in
telligent women scattered throughout
every city, town and hamlet in the
United States shall become interested
in reform, it is not at all difficult to
ElculCI Blullu NiClOIys
There is no town. however small or
poor, but may be benefited by the asso-
ciated efforts of its residents. The
streets can be kept free from weeds,
the walks mended and mudholes filled
up. Rubbish receptacles can be pro-
vided and merchants persuaded not to
use the sidewalks for storerooms.
Then, whether there is an association
or not, the women of every town
should make it their business to look
after the advertisements that are per-
selves and their children. What is
more distressing than to see the side of
a building or some showboard covered
week in and week out with the latter
ed remains of highly colored clowns,
horses and other circus attractions If
|. nothing worse?
One evening the woman's relief corps
of certain village had the use of the
city hall for some charitable gathering.
Toward night they spied man FASTING
handbills of a cheap show in conspcu-
GUS places about the halls and building
and promptly ordered him to take them
ed, but they soon convinced him that
for that day and night the city hall
was theirs. There are many women as
bright and determined as these who
would never have taken that stand
simply because the matter had never
been presented to them in the right
light. Even one person can create pub
lie sentiment Don't let us urge that
we have no influence, for we cannot so
easily escape responsibility. 1t is diff
cult to estimate the influence Of any
one person and equally impossible to
pverestimate the silent influence of
village or town that Is kept neat and
beautiful.
A prominent member Of a most ener-
eetic improvement association in Mont
rlair, N. j., says: "One of the first ben
fits derived by women from public
work is that they gradually lose sight
Il the narrow, personal views of life
nd find themselves on the higher, al
Rustic plane. In forming such an as
ociatioD as ours we must remember
hat our aim is to offer assistance and
i've suggestions and not to direct the
peal authorities"
In later paper this same woman
rites: Under the supervision of the
rect commission galvanized iron bar
Is were placed at intervals along our
ain thOroughfares for the reception
rubbish. ShOpkeepers were begged
keep their premises in good order,
I'D If they failed to comply with the
quest the association sent man with
wheelbarrow, broom and hoe to clean
for them. 1t was seldom that the
tne shopkeeper compelled us to do
S more than once"
1ere, as elsewhere, the different COM
tees have their tasks for which they
responsible. The children's auxil-
y numbers over LOO school chill
(n. all of whom have pledged them
YES to do what they can to make
ir town beautiful. The humane
hmittee sees that neither children
animals are abused and that there
proper sanitary conditions at the
ce station. In this town especial
Pntion is given to the circles and tri.
les at the functions of the streets
e of which are exceedingly attrac.
ready we find business companies
ng up this work. Some six years
n manufacturing company in Day
o., inaugurated a reform along
line about their shops and prem
which ought to be advertised al
the country for the benefit of less
ressive business men. At one time
ocation of their shops was known
idertown, and 1t was famous fol
ing and bad characters. The mer
d not live near the works, for they
not afford to raise their families
and this set the president of the
any to studying the situation will
w to lettering it. He began by in
the men to state their grievances
st the shops and premises and of
bggestions for Improvement.
results which have sprung from