The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-02-28
VALUE OF PUBLIC SPIRIT.
How Massachusetts Town Has
PTcfitsd by Ii.

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What an active public spirit and an
energetic campaign for civic improve
ments can do is shown by what the Vii
lage Improvement association Of Fran
ingham, Mass, has accomplished.
Then there was the experience with
the hencoop on the common, says the
Boston Herald. That is a charming
piece of ground in birmingham Center,
with the old town hall at one end. a
high school at the side, two churches at
the far cod and well planned houses on
the fourth side. For years there had
been desecrating hencoops and poultry
yard in front Of the high school.
The association attacked all that. It
was a small matter so small that no.
body at first seemed to have interest
enough to act. Then one morning the
town set to work, tore down the coop.
/ plowed up the hen yards and began i'm
proving the common. The school com
mittee, which had been somewhat apa-
thetic in its attitude, spoke glowingly
in print soon afterward of the good that
had been done by taking away the
coops. The Improvement association
smiled and did not charge anybody with
having stolen its thunder.
Then, again, there is the case of the
old town hall, center of activity,when
the business was in birmingham Cen
ter as it is in South birmingham at
present. The building was going to
pieces The improvement association
set out to get it. 1t took time, but
finally by an almost unanimous vote the
association was given charge of the old
white building at a nominal rental. 1t
is going to be an expensive piece of
business too. The members of the as
ISOLATION have pledged $1,000 already
for improving the exterior and the in
terror arrangements of the building.
and there will be an ultimate expense
Of about S., 900. The return? Simply
the belief that good has been done and
the certainty that there will be a CON
venient place for dramatic and other
entertainments, lectures; social gather
ings, clubrooms, dining rooms, kitchen
in fact, as one member puts it, "A
complete center for the improving and
Strengthening of the social and educa-
tional life of all. "
Now that the association is custodian
Of the place it is question merely Of
time when there will be pretty improve
ments on the common side of the hall,
now not very artistic, and the common
will be framed all around in excellent
style.
Take even another instance of accom-
plishment. Soon after the association
was formed lightning not only struck
and damaged a Sir Christopher Wren
spire Of one Of the most beautiful
churches in birmingham, but defed
precedent by striking it again. There
were signs that the undermining spot
would improve" the damaged spire.
The editorial committee of the associ-
alton became active at once, and today
the spire is on the church in all it's
original grace.
There is pretty hill in birmingham
Center wooded with pine trees. Some
time ago a rumor was spread around the
town that there was plan to buy the
land and cut off all the trees. Near the
knoll lives member Of the association.
not wealthy person as wealth goes
even in birmingham. The place APP
pealed to her on account of its natural
beauty, and rather than see the trees
cut down she bought the plot.
Near the house Of this member is a
little triangle where roads meet and
cross. There was an old wooden sign
post there. 1t was said that somebody
proposed to buy up that little tract and
put some building or other on it. The
member bought that place. The old
wooden sign went down, substantial
column with pretty signboard went
up, and climbing vines were planted by
the member at the foot of the column.