Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-17

lhat might be obtained by this small ex-
pense; the greater ease in keeping our
houses clean, so much dirt not being
brought in by the peoples feet; the benefit
to the shops by more custom, etc, etc, as
buyers could more easily get al them; and
by not having, in windy weather, the dust
blown in upon their goods, etc, etc.
II sent one of these papers to each
house and in day or two went round to
see who would subscribe an agreement to
pay these siXpences. 1t was unanimously
signed and for q time well executed All
the inhabitants of the city were delighted
with the cleanliness OF the pavement that
surrounded the market, 1t being a con-
yenience to all, and this raised general
desire to have all the streets paved and
made the people more willing to submit to
a tax for that purpose.
After some time l drew a bill for paw
ing the city and brought it into the assem-
bly,. 1t was just before l went TO England,
in 1901, and did not pass till / was gone"
In the same clever way he secured the
lighting Of the streets. though the idea was
another's. When the plan adopted was not
complete success, he invented a kind of
lamp that made it so.
The old globe lamps, admitting no air be-
low, became smoky and cost much pains TO
clean daily. Besides, an accidental stroke
of one of them would demolish it. Frank
four-paned lamp, with a long funnel above
to draw up the smoke, and crevices ad-
hitting air below.
Already he had written a paper on the
means of extinguishing fires. and had or
ganized a company 01S6) for fighting fires
the forerunner of many like companies.
Still other public spirited plans grew up
in his mind, 1.-The city watch was one OF
the first things that l conceived to want
regulation. 1t was managed by the con-
stable of the respective wards In turn;
the constable warned number of the
housekeepers to attend him for the night.
Those who chose never to attend, paid him
six shillings a year to be excused which
was supposed to be for hiring substitutes,
but was. in reality, much more than was
necessary for that purpose and made the
constableship place of profit; and the con-
stable for a little drink often got such
ragamuffins about him as a watch, that re-
spectacle housekeepers did not choose to
mix with. Walking the rounds, too, was
often neglected and most of the nights
spent in tipping.
these irregularities. but insisting more par
ticularly on the inequality of this siX-shil-
ling tax of the constabes, respecting the
circumstances of those who paid 1t. since
a poor widow housekeepr, all whose prop
erty to be guarded by the watch did not
perhaps exceed the value of ESQ, paid as
much as the wealthiest merchant who had
thousands of pounds worth of goods in his
stores.
ION the whole proposed more effectual
watch, the hiring of proper men to serve
constantly In the business, and as more
equitable way of supporting the charge. the
levying tax that should be proportioned
10 the property
As result of his agitation law was
passed establishing a watch.
In 1871 Franklin set on foot a project for
n subscription library, which was organ
ized. and, as he tells us, was the mother
of all the North American subscription
libra ries.
arhese libraries" he writes 'have i'm
proved the general conversation of the
Americans made the common tradesmen
and farmers as intelligent as most gentle
men from other countries
1t was Franklin who, in 1913. suggested
the organization of the American Philo-
sophicaI Society. Philadelphia was to be
its center and there<wer always to be at
least seven members, wiz, a physician, a
botanist, d mathematician a chemist, a
machanieian, a geographer and a general
naturl philosopher" In the following year
IL was established, with Franklin as its
first secretary.
Several other societies with a like pur-
pose were then founded. Franklin then Sc
cured their amalgamation and became pres
ident of the united body.
After preparing the minds of the people
of Pennsylvania by a pamphlet entitled
Proposals Relating TO the Education of the
Youth In Pennsylvania" he set on foot a
subscription for opening an academy. The
project succeeded. and in time became the
University of Pennsylvania,
He next turned his activities to the
founding of a hospital. II was erected, and
as he says simply. has been found useful
and fourishes to this DAY.
was shown even in his will. for he left 2.oeO