New Ulm review., 1901-03-27
The question of
Civic Reform
Discussed by the
Women's
Literary Club.


At the last meeting of the Women's
Literary Club the question of the reforms
needed IN this city was one of the prin-
cipal topics of discussion, and the views
Of the society upon this most important
matter were given voice ID the follow
ing interesting and instructive paper by
Mrs. A. J. Alvin.
Mrs. Alvin said:
If 1 were mayor and city council of
New Ulm-if, TO use popular slang
expression, I were the whole thing in
the government of our city and could
exercise my best judgment in behalf of
its people, I would endeavor to accom-
plish few things which consider nee
essary reforms and Improvements upon
present conditions
1t is probably unjust for any individ-
ual to say what ought to be done in the
way of reforms in any city while Others
must do the work and | shall, therefore.
not be offended if you differ with me,
taking the word reform in its broadest
sense.
The laws of the city should govern
three different conditions in human life
the physical, the moral anu the men
tai. Tne physical by providing good
streets, good water, good light and good
sewerage, and by scrupulous cleanliness
of streets and alleyways and by prohib-
iting dumping places within the city
limits, even though they are covered by
grading of streets, as has been done.
The moral condition by elementary train
ing and guarding against all influences
detrimental to the moral purity of its
inhabitants. The mental condition by
establishing and maintaining education
al institutions to the best of the city
ability without dissipating the best re-
suits by personal and political tavorit-
ism.
AS to streets, I would have Minnesota
street paved, for the only thing that
keeps it from looking like a street in
a southern border town il the early
spring and on rainy days is the absence
of "razor- backs" diligently roofing for
their daily meals. There is material
enough for good and lasting pavement
right near the city and, in fact, one of
our citizens once offered to give the stone
if the city would do the paving, and as
Minnesota street is the principal business
street of the city there is no excuse for
not having it paved.
Our light is good, and it wilt, no
doubt be but short time until the city
will own it, but l would light the streets
not according to the calendar but ac-
cording to the needs, for I have gone
home nights when the calendar promised
full moon but it was so dark that could
not see my hand before my face.
The moral effect of beauty is probably
not appreciated by tue majority of the
people but it is, nevertheless, a mighty
agent in moral and mental culture.
"Mother Nature" has literally provided
US with beauty in the shape of natural
parks surrounding our beautifully situa-
ted city. The beauty of our town, in
fact, consists in its surroundings. Cut
down the woods and leave the bare hills
and the city is shorn of its beauty. A
great deal of the wooded land is within
the city limits and I would preserve it
for park purposes. Also that which lies
across the Minnesota and is known as
the island where thousands of birds make
their homes. The law imposes fine of
SIS for shooting sat" song bird and I
would strictly enforce the law within
the bounds of my Jurisdiction, that is
within the city limits. By city limits /
mean not only the principle streets and
thickly settled parts of the town but al
so that portion which is not so densely
populated where many of our feathered
songsters make their homes, seeking the
vicinity Of dwellings to escape their nat
ural enemies, the hawk and the owl, on
ly to be hunted by their more wanton
enemy, the "town boy"
| would have the Jail screened from,
the view of the street. Many a time
have | gone by and heard the prisoners
sing rlbald songs and make remarks tc
young girls passing on their way tc
school, and call little children to The
palisade and converse with them. an