The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-06-08
BELFAST IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

hS Nhhuai mOOeth6 VI eAC bCudot 1ul-
provement Society was held Monday, June
8, in the Common Council room, Memorial
building, and was called to order at 3 D. m.
by Mrs. c. A.Pilsbury, President. After the
preliminary routine work and unfinished
business the reports of the secretary and
treasurer were submitted. adopted and by
unanimous vote ordered to be printed, as
follows:
To THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE
BELFAST IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY:
This is the fifth year of life for the Bel
fast improvement Society and we are GER
tain that a review of the work done and
being done must bring sense of pride and
qualification. Each year has witnessed some
improvement, something accomplished, for
the welfare of our city. When we recall
that small but energetic group of women
which resolved us into existence, and the
limit of their modest aspirations, we see
what even slight movement in the right
direction means. We do not hesitate to de-
clare that our society has been an excellent
investment for the amount Of funds placed
with it,
1t has, as you are well aware, required
courage, tact and ability on the part of all
to carry on the work, and the way has
oftentimes brstled with difficulties. We
have had occasional quel u!ous complaints
that we were not doing enough nor as much
as we could do, and again there has come to
our ears the sharp remark that all our eff
forts We're ''botched." We admit that or
CARNATIONS as well as individuals must
sometimes make mistakes. still we point
you to results. 1t is not alone personal
pride we record, but the opinion of nom
members we'll qualified to judge. We have
received the approval of many who were
closely interested in and had the kindest
,r1 fntn rfsl
and keen Judgment, who recognize in our
society practical demonstration of right
principles, and have not failed to discover
the value of organization. Our plans have,
too, for the most part been aided and abet-
ted by city officials and those employed by
them. We believe it is fitting at this time
that we should take retrospect of some of
the events that have marked our progress.
The first work of the society in the sum-
mer of 1900 was the rebuilding of the band
stand on the city common, and in the erec-
tiOn of this neat substantial platform about
S15 was expended. The same season con-
venent gravel foot-path was constructed on
NOrthport avenue. We regret to say that
the city council has not fulfilled its obliga-
tion in keeping this path free from weeds
and open to the public The curfew law was
put in force at this time through the per-
sonal effort of one of our committees. On
Oct. 25, 26 and q of this year the spectacu-
lar play Zephra was presented in Belfast
Opera House under our auspices, adding
large sum to the treasury, and with great
satisfaction to the public. The comment of
our local paper upon this occasion was in
part as follows: at is difficult to decide
just what to say of this production. To
speak of it as it was would SAVIOR of exag-
geration, yet no words we can command
would be stronger than the concentrations
heard on our streets after the first perform
ance. Many declared it to be the best en-
tertainment ever given in Belfast by local
talent
In 190l-02 prizes were offered by the So
clety to members OF the freshmen and SOph-
omore classes of the High school for the
best essay on Civic Improvement. A granite
carriage block was bought and placed in
front of the public library. During the
year we placed a fine reproduction of some
famous paintings in eleven of our public
schools. These were prettily framed and
add much to the attractiveneSs of the
rooms. The Parthenon in the High school
and Aurora in the Upper Grammar were
expensive carbon prints of first quality.
All the others were valuable pictures This
has been considered by many as the most
important and far reaching event in our
history. 1t certainly aroused IA desire in
teachers ANA pupils to add other appropri-
ate pictures, bas reliefs and sculpture for
benelt and pleasure in years to come.
The principal work OF the year 1o02-3 was
the building of the pavilion bath-houSes
and shore ovens and other picnic convent
enceS at the foot OF Coudon street. The
pleasure derived from this by the people is
too well known to elaborate. A large pub
lie clambake this year netted us a hand
some sum. Barrels for rubbish were also
bought this season and placed at convent
ent points about the city and water car
ried to and throughout Grove Cemetery
through the instrumentality of this society.
In October the spectacular play Evangeline
was given under our auspices, netting $40
for the treasury. The receipts this year
from all sources were S591. Al
While carrying on the work of keeping
the streets clean from rubbish and insight
ly weeds cut along many walks, etc, dur
ing the year 1904, the supreme energy of
our members was devoted to securing an
appropriation for city park. In this we
tending from Northport avenue to the shore
of the bay, were bought at our request by
the city government 1t is most com
mendable thing and one that cannot bring
tinge of regret. January 4th of this year an
appropriation of $50 from our funds was
ization that has been a credit to our city.
A course of first class entertainments were
also given under our auspices this year
In this brief resume of our past we have
said nothing of the social functions given.
which are not less beneficial than many
have, we are aware, been the subject of Sc
we're criticism on the part of few members
and some others, but We have not exhaust
ed even tithe of our income in this man
ner, for nearly all expense OF this kind has
been met by contribution, and no one will
dare deny that the Old Home Week enter
tainments and receptions to city officials
and the public have not been prolific of
much good.
We come now to the work Of the past
year, which perhaps may not all be seen IN
immediate practical results, still 1t Is not
without effect upon the beauty loving part
of our community. Early in the season a
new set of strong, neat rubbish 1arrels
were purchased and placed. A number OF
pretty. durable rustic seats for the conven-
fence of the public were arranged about the
city and have been greatly appreciated
The lighthouses and pavilion were kept IN
condition for use during the warm season
and a small sum realized from the bathers.
The pavilion and oven have been always
free to individuals and parties: Only one
public entertainment has been given direct
ly under our auspices. This, concert In
March by the Glee and Mandolin Cluos OF
the University of Maine, was unusually
fine, and the dancing party which followed,
arranged bya committee OF young men from
our city, was thoroughly enjoyable A
goodly sum was netted The society also
"The Grangers Daughter" by K. T. Chase,
and from this $50 was added to the treas
ury. Since the earliest days of our existence
certain effort has been made by special
committee on forestry but without result
,,nt;l rooontl.r ,,,.inly haeauSp of tine great