The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1907-03-22

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" By Mrs. \
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''The ideal city" said the, late Ben
jamin Harrison, ''must be a city
where people diligently mind
their own business and the public
business, and do both with de-
cent regard to the judgment and
the rights Of others. A city where
rhere is no Boss Rule in anything,
where all are not brought to the
measure of one mans mind, or to
the heel of one mans will. A city
where citizens are true and brave
and generous, and who care for their
own. A city having community's
spirit out not the communicate spir
it. A city where people live in
homes where there is room for
morning glory or sweet pea, where
the children Can every day feel the
spring of natures green carpet,
where brain and manners, and not
bank ratings give standing, where
life is comfortable and honorable.
Unquestionably. the most potent
single factor in the present day
movement for civic improvement is
the influence of women. They are
natural domestic housekeepers, and
what more proper than that they
should become civic housekeepers?
They abate nuisance in the house.
hold; why not in the city2 They
make the home a place of beauty, a
Joy to the eye; why not the city9
Wherever women are gathered to-
gether to discuss the question, what
can we do TO make our city more
beautiful end attractive, the first
questions is that of cleanliness.
The first element of sbeauty is
cleanliness, and it naturally fol-
lows that anything which is spot
lessly clean is more to be admired
than that which is only clean
enough to be tolerated.
The appearance Of cleanliness is
not enough. First, how can we
get our streets cleaned2 Second,
How clean the vacant lots and
clear all rubbish2 Third, How get
the back yards and alleys in Or
der2
To the question how eau we get
our streets eleaned2 1st, by each
individual doing their part in
keeping it clean; get the garbage
cans off our front walks and have
the waste paper picked up; have
the crossings kept clean in sum-
Nor and snow removed in winter.
How clean the back yards and
alleys2 BY removing all rubbish,
and have the weeds cut, and all
manure piles removed, instead of
leaving it to pile up for two years
or more, without respect to either
the health of the city or Of those
on the premises. The vacant lot
is general an eye sore; why not
make arrangements to have these
vacant lots cultivated? Have the
consent of the owner of piece of
vacant property, and the families
near by, be accommodated with a
space for cultivation. These neg
lected spots may provide garden
space for those who care for it. In
almost every case the returns from
the garden would more than pay for
the outlay involved. A small yard
need not have it's surface graded
with cinders, topped off with tin
cans and rubbish. The ground may
be carpeted with flowers, aud the
fence and wall be covered with
vines. AS one man put it, flowers
are more healthy than filth.
1t is one OF the paradoxes of re-
form that no absolute social saliva
ton can be brought about unless
children can be reached, while the
only possible way to reach the chill
dren is through grown people.
There seems at first to be but lit
tie connection between paving
stones and prayer book, but it is
plain when we come to think about