The Republican journal., 1905-03-30
AN URGENT NEED.
Better Provision for the Care of the Dead at
Grove Cemetery.

1SCttoI IfOvl11Om IOF JIG O"AO VA S.AO A>O0u a.
Grove Cemetery.
A public meeting, called by the Improve
nent Society to consider the ACCESSIBILITY of
erecting building for chapel, receiving
tomb and office at Grove Cemetery,
was held in the court room Wednes-
day evening. March 22nd. Mrs. Chas.
A. Pilsbury, President of the Improve
ment Society, called the meeting to order
and stated its object The attendance
was not large, but the interest was great
and all were of the opinion that something
should be done at once in the direction in
dictated. Among those who addressed the
meeting were Rev. A. A. Smith, Mr.. j. F.
Wilson, Collector James S. Hartman, Mr..
C. R. CoOmbs and Mr.. James F. Fernald,
the latter the sexton in charge of Grove
cemetery. After some discussion it was
voted to hold an adjourned meeting in the
court room next Saturday evening at 73O
O'Clock. AS The Journal had no reporter
present at this meeting Mr.. Coombs kind
ly furnished us with the substance of
his remarks, which covers the case COM
pletely:
MRS. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLE
MEN: In taking up this subject suppose
it is better to begin at the beginning or at
need is so constantly forced upon me that l
cannot realize but that everybody must
see it as clearly do. The first thing that
greets the sight on approaching our ceme-
| terry is our present tomb. 1t is needless for
me to call your attention to this blot upon
the landscape; but | presume that only a
small percentage of the citizens of Belfast
| realizes the shameful condition inside this
tomb. 1t was originally built with capa-
| city for Is old-fashioned collins, and the
modern burial case being larger will not go
| into the lower tier Of shelves. There are
now q bodies in this tomb, and they are
piled tiers deep, just as boxes OF merchan-
disc would be piled up; and in order to get
[ into the tomb to deposit remains the bear
ers are obliged to walk on top of boxes con-
tanning remains prevlousy deposited there:
This, | claim, is not only disgraceful, but
exceedingly inhuman. -Four more deaths
in Belfast will fill the tomb to the roof.
| So much for the need of immediate action
| in this matter AS to what we need will
| give you an outline of my personal ideas:
The first consideration is more commodi-
Gus tomb or place for depositing the re-
mains. The next is a superintendent Of
fee, where the plans of the lots can be kept
| and which would also constitute kind of
| ladies' waiting room. where our supetlntend-
ent can be found and consulted about anyand
| all WOIk Ill anu dIOunu Vie CeHleteIS elC.
! The next consideration is chapel, or place
| where services can be held over remains
| brought from away, and where the minis
tiers and friends will be protected from the
| inclemencies of the weather to which they
are often exposed while having services Or
| prayers at the open grave The need OF
chapel might at first thought be considered
| a luxury Or something not absolutely need
ed but can assure you l am in a position
| to know there is a constantly increasing
call for such place. But to go back to the
tomb. The first thing that would be neces-
ton, ventilation, etc. Over this would have
| to be built brick and granite building and
in order to make such a building look in
proportion and be ornamental and struc-
ture to be proud of, it would furnish ample
room to be applied to chapel at very little
and the demands of the public would so far
! outweigh the little extra expense that
think you must all agree with me
that we want all of these conveniences.
My idea is to have good, high, we'll
ventilated and lighted basement to be
only one floor above this to be divided
into an Office for the superintendent, also
| to serve as a ladies' waiting room and
chapel to occupy all room not otherwise
needed in the building. l would provide
convenient elevator to convey remains to
| same when necessary.
There seems to be only one way to secure
these necessary improvements, and that is
for the city to build them. Everybody will
receive the benefits directly or indirectly.
If the taxes had to be raised to pay for
same it would only be for one year, and
those who last year paid a tax Of about $50
| would only have to pay from $1.5O to $500
additional and that for only one year, and
it is very probable that the expenses could
| be curtalled in other departments to offset
part or the whole of this.
We have arrived at the place where it is
absolutely necessary to overcome the exist
| ing conditions and immediate action should
be vigorously pushed to that end
There have been two more added since
| Ed. Journal.