Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-03-21
Rural DEVELOPMENT.


1t is very pleasing to notice the tend
ency toward rural life and the progress
being made in rural development. This
has been caused To some extent by the
Introduction of rural mail delivery and
the rural telephone as we'll as by the
building and extension of electric roads.
The isolation of farm life has been brok-
en- up by these agencies and rural life
made more attractive To former residents
of cities. A large portion of the people
prefer country TO city life if the means
of transportation and communication
enable them To keep in touch with affairs
and not be shut in from the business and
social privileges which are becoming
more necessary to the comfort and hap
piness of people with each succeeding
year.
There are various things which rural
people can do to still further develop
their localities. In early times every
person in the country and in the city
took an active interest in all public af-
fairs that pertained To their welfare, but
the age of specialties has reached public
as well as individual action, and people
are inclined TO leave such matters to
those who assume to direct matters for
them. Not only is this true in matters
of transportation as provided by the
maintenance of roads, and in matters OF
education rs provided in the maintenance
of schools, but il is also true in matters
of politics, religion and society. That
which was once done by all is now by
common consent committed to the direc-
ton of few.
The old-fashioned town meeting when
every voter went to the polls early and
remained until the last town officer was
chosen and the last appropriation voted
has been superseded by the practice of
allowing few to transact the business
and direct the affairs. The old-fashioned
school meeting when every voter in the
district attended and voted when the
school should begin and end, who should
provide the fuel to warm the school
house, and at what price, and who
should board the teacher by bidding up
on the price of board, has been super
seded by practice which allows three
persons to transact all the business per-
tanning to the schools of the town.
Three or four people transact all the
business affairs of the church in place
of score that once attended the busi-
ness meetings of the society. The
highways of the town are managed by
one man instead OF twenty surveyors
as formerly. and one selectman practical
ly takes the inventory and makes the
tax lists in three or four days instead of
three men spending two or three weeks
in doing it.
All this may be in the interest of econ
omy and better service, but it tends to
lack of interest among the people
in these and other matters and to a
neglect of their duty in all public affairs
We cannot expect such rural develop
ment as might be made without the act
i've interest of the people themselves.
The three most important matters under
this head are the schools, roads and
town improvements. The latter include
roadside adornment aud village improve
ment. To direct the management OF
such roads, schools and improvements in
such a way as TO really develop town
requires liberal action aud broad ideas
in the interest of the people ra her than
skillful management of selfish nature.
1t needs the influence and active interest
of such men as have become successful
in developing business enterprises and
in patriotic work of general public in-
terest. Statesmen are needed in towns
as well as in states aud the nation.
The difference between prosperous
and decaying rural communities Is more
the presence or absence of men OF broad
ideas and progressive tendencies than
favorable or unfav"rable natural con-
ditions. We have often noticed the
prosperity of town and the general
thrift of its business through the activity
of one energetic, publlc-spirited man
whose enthusiasm for 1t seemed con-
tagious and was imbibed by all it's cit-
zenS, and we have noticed towns that
seemed to decline from the lack OF even
one such person. One of the greatest
causes of rural decline in some localities
has been the lack of faith aud confidence
of the people in its possibilities.
We believe the present development oi
rural communities can be materially
promoted BY the efforts of the rural
people. They should take an interest in
providing better schools, better roads
and better public conveniences of all
kinds. This can be done by more gem
erally attending the meetings where such
matters are discussed and acted upon.
Ii eau be aided by taking An interest in
state legislation affecting these matters
in a favorable manner, and by instruct
ing their representatives in state and
national legislative bodies as to their
desires. However able aud loyal their
representatives may be, they should
have no hesitancy about informing them
of the needs of the people within their
town or district. 1t should not be un-
derstood that after electing persons to
manage the affairs of their town, state
or nation their responsibility ceases and
the persons chosen assume it all. Rural
development will only be secured
through the efforts of the people resid-
ing therein, by constant agitation of the
matters affecting their interests and by
doing their part in bringing them about.
However much may be said to the con-
trary, the people still have it in their
hands to cause the rural development to
which they are entitled.-Mirror and
Farmer