The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-14
this city will have a club in that organ ization next summer.
A puhIic snunrp.

''why don't the city authorities make that part of Washington strees between Alabama and Selma, ana which for so many years was occupieo bv inc market house, a kind of pulp lic squareY remarked a citizen tooay. The idea seemed a novel one and when questioned further on the subject he said:
 with little trouble and small ex- pense that strip in the middle or Washington Street could be made veritable oasis in the middle Of the business district of the city. For years 1t was occupied by the market house and council chamber and the drivers of vehicles have gotten used to driving their teams down the street close to either sidewalk. Even now they continue to do that, although the old market house has been removed and that part of the street which 1t occupied has been fixed up.
 Tt will be many a year before the little store buildings on that part of the street will be torn down and large business buildings put up :n their stead. The sidewalks arc narrow and really make the street in that block look much wider than elsewhere, and In truth the street Is actually almost ten feet wider.
 Now, at a very small outlay Of money the city could put a nice Iron fence around the space that was occu- pied by the market house and council chamber. The ground could Dc plowed up, fertilized and planted in some nice grass which would grow rapidly. A large number of nice shade trees could also be planted in the lot and in flow years they would give an abundance Of shade. Then have nice gravel path down the middle with plenty of nann1n fn aft lOtIn GA on and Selma would have an ideal pub lie square.
 "Besides trees and grasses, there could be planted many different kinds of flowers which would help very ma terially to make the spot attractive and inviting, and before long this part of the business district of the city would be Q popular place for its citi- zens to como and rest few moments while up town. It is true 1t would not be very large square but 1t woGild answer the purpose just as well and be source of enjoyment and pleas ure to many citizens.
 "Of course the space Is not large enough for lake or anything of that kind to be put in, but a nice fountain could be erected in the middle of 1t which would also lend an additional charm to the place. Have you ever noticed the peace of mind and the sense of rest that falling water gives to one? I have rested near fountains In parks in a number of cities and have always seemed better for having watched the fountain and listened to the music of the falling water. No doubt others have experienced like effect and would be benefited by such a fountain set in a bit of woodland in the heart of the busy city.
 Some citizens will perhaps say that Selma Is already beautiful and that the many hundred magnificent lawns and shade trees afford enough woodland scenery for the city. but those lawns are private property and the public has DO right to enjoy them except from | the outside of a fence.
 eff I am not mistaken, I believe q number of ladies of the city banded themselves together a few years ago, their object being to make Selma really more beautiful than 1t naturally | is. I do not know whether this organ ization is still in existence, but if it is it seems to me that this idea of mak- ing this bit of land a public park would be an opportunity that they should not ly than nature intended.
 Selma has no public square, and it seems there is no space for the city to have one anywhere unless large price is paid for the land. The idea that I have advanced may not meet with the approval of many, but think it would be quite an improvement to that part of the city,