The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-09

without it's business leagues. commerGal clubs, improvement societies and other organizations and l will, show you d town absolutely dead and its citlzens merely existing. On the other hand show me a municipality that possesses these active organizations and it win be found live and active, its citizens enterprising, cheerful and prosperous and the sur roundings beautiful and attractive.
 T would not have the Mayors to think that I. would for one moment shift all the responsibility of the city government on the civic organizations or give these organizations all the credit for the pro gress and beauty of their cities, because a progressive and enterprtsing Mayor will always be found in harness working as a private in the various organizations.
 ''The power and influence of these or- ganizations is >boundless, and wish that I could impress, forcibly, upon the Mayors present. the necessity and i'm portance of this momentous question.
 There is a strong and growing senti- ment in every section of this country for active organizations in cities and towns. It seems that there Is an epidemic Of feeling along this line and even our pat riotc women have caught the inspiration and in many instances are taking the lead in beautifying the cities and towns.
 Tt is not necessary to recall more than a dozen years when leagues and improve ment societies were unknown to the smaller towns, and the larger cities, if
 
 unsuccessful. Up to a few years ago 1t seemed that all that was necessary was a Mayor and several don't care kind of men who represented their respective wards or precincts-merely % keep up appearances and the charter of their town-honor was what they sought. The city government was left to take care of itself, and the cobwebs were greatly in evidence in every business house. Time has wrought many changes, and especial l ly along this line.
 Tt matters not if it be a Mayor. whe | represents a city or 75.000 or l0.000 peo | cutaway coat, feasting on a salary oi $e00 per month, or if it be humble. un' assuming gentleuan. who !nanipula:es the reins of the government of two oi | three thousand people. and who is forced to chew his stingy green tobacco. anc wear home spun clothing. drawing sal ary of only the perquisites of his office he must be live, energetic, progressive any enterprisng. To do what is expected from him by his constituency and iC accomplish his desires and ambition. he must have these public benefactors-civic organizations, to lend their influence and assistance.
 "In the smaller towns of our State ceived by the Mayors, it is necessary important that an organization of some kind be established to work in conjunc- tion with the city authorities. Select
 
 not so easily discouraged. as officers in the organizations. and occasionally en- courage them by saying a good word in the Mayors monthly report to the City Council. It is strange but nevertheless true, that it is easier. far easier. for an organization to secure liberal donations for any purpose than for the Mayor or City Council. However, the City Council and all organizations in the city shouli work in perfect harmony to secure good results.
 "I feel qualified to emphasize and dis cuss the benefits derived from the various organizations. Before agitating this step in my city, I made it study for several months, reading literature that touched exclusively on this subject. I saw at once the necessity of the step and I went act lively to work and organized a business league. The first twelve months was an uphill business, but finally the league demonstrated by its activity and persist ence that it meant business. Gradually the business men and citizens seeing the demonstration of a few members of the league, fell in line and assisted in making some substantial improve ments. It is fact that before