Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1905-06-09
A STRANGER GIVES
TIMELY SUGGESTIONS
His Observations on the Carnival
and on the Opportunity TO
Secure Other Recreations.

people pass through the streets and
on to the grounds of the exhibit.
The aged man feebly, but so tenderly
leading the little child; the youth
and maiden, we'll pleased with Sc If
and each other, happy and hopeful,
the matron taking to herself little
relaxation from care of the house
hold; The professional and the busi.
ness man, who as they passed Off
i the street and out to the show seemed
to cast away care and take unto
themselves the spirit of the hour !;
the invalid carefully taken to
the entertainment and thonghtfully
cared for by the dear friends who
wished him to partake SO far as pos
sible of the cheer and goodness
afforded. And ! said these things are
fine for do they not show the esse n
tial goodness that is in humanity?
Namely the desire for self good and
pleasure, but better the wish to give
the same to others less happily cir
cumstanoed. Another reflection
came to me. Youth is immortal, for
was there not the same look of happy
expectancy on the face of the aged
man as on the ohild's? Yes it is true
the germ of unfading youth is in us
all, years and bodily decay touch it
not
am led from these reflections to
inquire if we cannot have more of
the educative and refined brought in
to the life of Grants Pass In the recrea-
tion and amusements we seek Such
cannot come from crazy house,
high dive or coarse dance There
were though commendable feat ures
in the late carnival, like the glass
blowers, the deep sea diving, but in
the main it had little to interest or
instruct. Granted we need the farce
and comedy at times, for they quicken
and give healthy rebound, but such
should be in proper propoi tion, never
a surfeit of them. To get the carni-
val here cost its promoters $3.50. The
$50 for extra police and incidentals
gives sum Of not less than 500.
Did it bring that amount of increased
business to the city? Indeed are we
not all the poorer in many ways for
having had it? In the way of pas.
times we might secure those, that
while amusing and pleasing, would
tend to raise the moral and intellec-
tual tone of our people. Dramas of
high merit could be secured and
which would prove entertaining and
instructive. Concerts. both vocal and
instrumental, we could have from
musicians of reputation here and
abroad. Noted lecturer could be in
duced to come here, thus putting us
in touch with thought in the leading
intellectual centers OF the country.
A peoples forum could be organized,
an institution found in many pro-
gressive towns, place where matters
of local interest could be discussed.
This organization would be helpful
in many ways to our people. Grants
Pass has many amateur artists Of
considerable ability, whose work in
photography, oil and water colors,
crayon and pen sketching would make
an exhibit both interesting and in
structive to the public, and helpful
in developing a higher artistic taste
in our city.
Grants Pass having no public
park ii would be wise move to
secure from the railroad company
that part of the depot grounds about
the flagstaff, and make of tia place
for recreation. At an expense but
little exceeding that that secured the
carnival a park could be laid out
and made very beautiful. Trees and
ornamental shrubs of all species
found in Oregon might be planted.
Flowers and plants set out and walks
and settees provided, the band stand
put in attractive, serviceable condi-
tion Then would indeed we have
place where all could enjoy the
beauties OF nature, breathe the fresh
pure air and take that recreation
that is helpful to the old and the
young. This enterprise could well be
carried out by the Womans Club, or
board of trade, If there were one.
Strangers coming to Grants Pass get
at first but a poor idea If tue place
The foothills lie so closely about the
town as to convey sense Of COM
preston to one. But this feeling is
quickly dispelled by ascending any
one Of the eminences in proximity to
Grants Pass One of the grandest and
most impressive views to be had is
from the summit Of the butte lying
to the west Of the reservoir hill.
From this vantage point perspective
Of miles iu extent can be had. Al
our feet lies Grants Pass, It's parallel
streets, crossing at right-angles on a
gently sloping site. that is as though
designed by nature as q place on
which TO build the metropolis of
Southern Oregon, as it surely is de-
stined to be, and its large business
blocks, handsome churches and pu
Luildings, its many beautiful hoi
all impressing one with the SUBJ
tisl and progressive character OF
town. Beyond is to be seen
Valley Of the Rogoe. one Of the
picturesque on the Pacific G,
stretching away for miles, dotted
farms, whose we'll kept fields,
cbards and homes convey the i'd,
she thrift and prosperity Of its pc,
n IL. 4