Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-03-22

conspicuous place it occupies. and the
public use to which it is put. 1t would
cost but little and would be money well
expended. Look to the appearance of
school property. Attractive buildings
and orderly grounds are noticed and
are credit. but il neglected. and have
a rundown look they show palmer than
would look of educational enterprise.
Your court house looks very well. and
l have no suggestions to offer except
that improvements be kept up. But it
seems to me that you badly need a
separate building for city and county
Jail and sheriff's residence. The post
office struck me as rather a dingy
ill.kept, unattractive place. is far be.
hind what it should be for city Of your
prominence and size.
Be considerate of the comfort of the
patrons of this city and make it a
place where 1t is pleasure for them
to come. Study their wants and cater
to them. Anything you can do to draw
the farmer to your city is an adver.
tisement that pays big dividend.
once favored drinking fountain in the
park and giving farmers ami their
families permission to eat under the
trees. A band concert or speaking on
Saturday afternoons might also be q
drawing card.
All modern cities have q depart
ment for street cleaning, and it is sur.
prising how clean some of them are
kept. This, moro than anything else.
has lowered the death rate very mater
tally in all the larger cities. l do not
mean that Great Bend should or could
have such a department.; still much
might be done with little expense to I'M
prove tho appearance Of your streets.
If every resident would take an interest
in this work and hold himself respon.
sible. for the land in front of his house,
in would be long step in the right
direction. The business portion could
be kept clean by a single man using a
rake and shovel. The collections put
in covered galvanized iron cans to be
hauled off and dumped or used for fu.
ell. I believe that in short time the
public would help ont themselves and
make it a practice never to throw lit
ter in the streets, but put it in the
cans.
A dark city is unattractive, there
fore it Is policy to have light if it can
be afforded. Many of the smaller
places. and suburbs of larger cities
are using Weiisbach burners and gas
lights in preference to electricity. They
claim that it makes better light and is
less expensive. A very fine gasoline
light made, using the burners. and seem
to give excellent satisfaction. These
lights are used in the regular gas lamp
posts and are at the proper height to be
of some service. When arc lights are
not used these other lights are substi
tuted. An incandescent lamp placed
over the center of the roadway is not
economy as too much light is wasted.
With your wide streets too many tree,
is impossible If they are properly trim
med and they do give any place such 9
dressed up appearance and look of com
fort.
Paved streets are to be found now il
even the smaller places, and could b.
ciassed as one of the modern improve
ments. 1t costs money aud l dom
mean to say that it can or should b,
done in Great Bend immediately, still i
is a matter worthy Of your attention
and should receive a most careful con
slderation. In time the principal bust
ness streets should be looked after.
i In writing about public Improvement
l am tempted to say few words in re
gard to your opera house. 1t ma
answer the purpose very veil at pres
ent, but it strikes US that there is
chance for improvement here that un
doubtedly will be attended 10 in time
There may como day when q sma
but modern opera house will be cor
sidered necessity. A good one Gel
tainly is q credit and luxury to hav,
Public servants do much to make or ma
city and tho utm .,st care should b
exercised in their selection PrOgtes
) slve, public spirited men. carrying IL
{ city . welfare III their hearts shoul
not be back v ard in accepting trust {
fail To heed the call TO duty. TheI
may be difference OF opinion ON oths
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