The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-06-16
BELFAST IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY

BELFAST IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
Holds its Annual Meeting. Omcers Elected
for the Ensuing Year.
The annual meeting of the Belfast I'm
provement Society was held Monday, June
18th, in Memorial Hall, Mrs. H. Il. j ohm
son, president, in the chair. After the pre-
liminary routine work and unfinished busi-
ness the report of the secretary was sub
mitted, adopted and ordered printed, as
follows:
To the officers and members Of The Bel
fast improvement Society: While in the
there must necessarily be much that is
stereotyped, yet in and through it all we
aim to make the'great underlying principle
of our work prominent, and to show by
what has been accomplished that there is
great power in organization.
At the close of this, the fourth year of
our existence as society, we have cause
for congratulation that SO much has been
done directly and indirectly through our
efforts for the good of the community. 1t
should be matter of pride to us as well,
that we we're in the vanguard of this great
movement for the promotion of civic better
ment, and not only in the attainment of our
ambitions, but in the fact that we are
really fine example of ideals for others.
Several other towns and cities are today
enjoying the benefit of our experience To
be sure we have often been scoffed at and
many of the proposed innovations dubbed
as useless fads, but they have become facts
and factors, to which not only our members
but the community can point with satisfac-
ton, and some who were first to decry are
ready now to say "all honor to you who
have done this thing"
In all the relations of life ''women are the
half workers" and their influence in pro-
noting the work of the other half is Won
derful. The object of this organization is
cooperation in things of strictly civic sig
nifcance, and there is no reason for fric-
tiOn. Some one has said that ''the leaders
of any village improvement society need
grit and idealism, for the kickers OF the
opposition are many" 1t is certain that
our members have demonstrated that they
have both qualities, and in the future as in
the past we are bound to succeed, for our
work has the sanction of an advanced CIV
iliZatiOn.
At the commencement of the present
year labor upon the pavilion and picnic
grounds on Condor street was nearing COM
attractiveness and utility all that was
promised. A huge public clambake was
given there July 8th, which, together with
concert by our fine band, was made very
delightful. 1t was upon this occasion that
a beautiful, large flag, presented to the
Bradbury, was first thrown to the breeze
Later, the society entertained its members
and invited friends in like manner, and
on every pleasant day of the season the
grounds and lighthouses were occupied by
private parties, who certainly appreciated
the privilege afforded them 1t was con-
ceded by the many to fill long felt need,
and some who at first were bitterly opposed
to the expenditure of money in this way
were won to believe it a wise project. Our
sincere thanks are due MeSsrs. Durham &
Gichrest for the lease of the land without
price.
During the summer and autumn truck
man was hired to remove rubbish from the
streets, and in some localities trial was
made of metal litter barrels. This latter
not proving satisfactory the society are ne
gotiating with the Steel Basket Co. of Cedar
Rapids for some of different manufacture.
Through the effort of our committees weeds
and grass have been cut on the avenues and
many unsightly places made clean as in
previous years Recently number of SUBJ
Stantial rustic lawn seats have been pur-
chased and will be placed at convenient
points about the city for the use of the
public Early in the month of September
Ii =
entertainments to be given under our aus
plces, and a contract was made with the
White Entertainment Bureau to furnish
four of the best on their list. This was in
way new departure and the result has
taught US that for the present at least we
must foregO such expensive talent. With
one exception, however, the entertainments
were delightfully."- pleasing, and had the
weather been favorable and the price of
admission not placed SO far below the ordi-
nary schedule of other cities, it would have
been, too, I, success in a financial point of
view.
Great credit is due the committee in
charge for the efficient care and manage
ment of every detail in connection there
with, and the members appreciate the kind
ness of the publc-spirited citizens who
stood back of the enterprise, notwithstand-
ing there was no tax upon their pocket
books.
The crowning effort of the year, and one
for which we have much reason for con-
graduation, is the securing an appropriation
for land for a city park. For more than
two years this has been cherished plan of
some of the leading workers of our Or
ganizatlon, and notwithstanding the many
disappointments and difficulties hurled at
us, there has been ''no shadow of turning,"
the enthusiasm has not Waned, and when
one method has proven itself not feasible,
another has been taken up. The latest,
huge petition of all the leading taxpayers
of the city, has borne the coveted fruit, and
we are rejoiced that the present city council
has been wise enough and broad enough to
accede to our request and purchase for pub
lie use the fifteen acres of land with shore
privilege and extending to NOrthport ave-
nue., suitable in all ways for a city park. 1t
is a commendable thing and your city gov
ernment should ever be held in grateful re-
membrance.
Too much praise cannot be given to the
ladies of the committee who have labored
untiringly for this object, or to our citi-
Zens, particularly those members of the
city government who have so heartily
endorsed the movement. We know we
voice the sentiment of every member of
our society when we say it shall be our
pride to labor now for the improvement of
the park. We cannot vie with the splendid
park systems of large cities, where so much
money is spent yearly, but we can lay out
paths and driveways, plant trees and fine
a mirror lake, in fact, with comparatively
poseful spot and tangible evidence of the
The social side, upon which we count
much, has not been overlooked During
Old Home Week, in response to an invita-
ton from Mayor Small and his Council,
our society gave very enjoyable reception
to our citizens and out of town visitors,
the refinement and social pleasure of which
was remarked by many.
Nov. 9th public supper was given for
the benefit of the association, the net pro-
ceeds of which, on account of severe
StOrm and some other reasons Wnra muob