The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-03-26
TEE OLD RECEIVING TOMB.
Vhy 1t should be Abolished "A F'ea ior
Something Better

Why 1t Should be Abolished A"'
Something Better.
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL Ii
these few words, addressed to the cltizehs
of Belfast who have the improving ana
beautifying of our city at hea1t' anu es-
pecially to the members of the heLas' In
provement Society, are deemed by you OF
sufficient inheritance, | would be pleased to
have you publish them
1t has seemed strange to me that 'ne ci''-
zens of Belfast, and especially those WHO
have lost. by death, members OF thelr lam
lilies. or friends whom they dearly loved' OF
those who are at all interested in our oeau-
tiful cemetery, should make no ehor' W oo
away with or improve the antlquatea re-
ceiying tomb, built so many years ago ana
which is at present an unfit place IN which
to Law our beloved dead. 1t Is no longer
suitable in size, or in any other way. us
an unsighty, gruesome place, IN Whlch the
roma;ns of our precious dead must be piled
tier upon tier, while the beautitui noral
tributes of love and respect from 1riehdS
are piled in heaps in the corners. IL Is
a crowded. damp and most decidedly I'M
healthy receptacle, and should pe aooilsheu.
This tomb was built when all that couid
be had for burial purposes was the ola uh-
slightly painted collins, and like the ola COL
fins it should be thing of the past
These conditions can be attested TO oy
many of our leading business men, who
have been called upon to deposit, as bearers,
the remains of some close friend; or py
visit to the tomb, where can De seen the
great need for something better. Inc su-
perintendent of the cemetery or the UNDER
taker will open the tomb for inspection at
any time.
MY idea of what we should have in the
place of the present tomb is that there should
be built a large brick building, DIS large as
the full space will accommodate. Ii should
be of pleasing style and an ornament not
only to the cemetery but to the city of Bel
fast In this building should be receptacles
for at least fifty baskets OF modern style,
with place for flowers accompanying each.
This room should be light, Weli-ventllated,
and open to the public who have friends
deposited there.
In the story above should be provided a
chapel, wherein services could be held over
remains of such persons as may be brought
from distant cities. or in cases where no
suitable place is otherwise available. There
should also be provided an office for the
superintendent of the cemetery, where he
max be found and business connected with
the cemetery be transacted with him. Such
building, feel sure, could he erected for
5000 to $4,000.
II the city of Belfast is too poor to raise
and appropriate such a sum of money for a
purpose so beneficial as this would seem to
be, | would suggest another way. There
is at at the present time about $500 IN the
Perpetual Funds which is placed by the
city where it draws 3 per cent. interest.
This Perpetual Care fund is constantly in
creasing There are now over $500 that
know will be deposited therein within few
months, and by little canvassing among
lot owners this fund could be easily and
| quickly swelled to $4,000
| Now should the city use this fund, and
assume and pay thereon the 3 per cent in
terest, what objections could be raised? 1t
would only amount to $3.50 per year.
| Surely the old complaint that for years
| has met and been used to kill every prOpOS-
| ed Improvement to and for the City OF Bel
| fast, viz: the increase of our taxes, cannot
| be brought against this.
| Are there any of our citizens interested III
| such a matter as this:
A CITIZEN.