The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-06-18

only unsightly but had become indeed
nuisance Through the efforts of a
committee from our society, with the
aid of the city council, the owners were
notified of the deplorable conditions
and requested to better them in some
way at once. The result is alike graft
flying and beneficial, and removes one
of the many plague spots in our domain.
| The new M )dern mOrtuary tomb is
also the result of an agitation begun by
our members.
We have kept in touch with the ad-
vance of civic betterment through diff
| ferent publications, and occasionally
valuable papers by leading men and
women upon the movement have been
read and discussed. We tlatter our
selves that at no time have we allowed
our interest to flag.
We are under deep obligations to The
Republican Journal and to reporters
for other papers for aiding us in keep
ing our work so faithfully and continu-
ously before the public. The seeds
planted in this way have been widely
scattered and have been fruitful in
good results. Even the far away State
of Colorado has at least one improve
ment association the direct outgrowth
of our own.
We regret that some of our most
cherished plans have not matured
those of interesting the children in
floral culture and civic righteousness.
We have all learned the educational
value of good pictures in public schools
and it must be patent to the average
interested citizen that if our boys and
girls could be taught the general prln-
ciples of our work, that the problem of
civic betterment would be more easily
solved than in any other way.
We are prompted to suggest that our
efforts for the immediate future be
directed to some means looking to this
end.
We have held 81 regular meetings
with by special call. We have en-
rolled Up members in good standing.
II have withdrawn, are deceased
We have 10 nonresident members.
Our corps of officers have each year
been carefully selected and have been
able and progressive women, making all
undertakings as far as possible sue
| cess. This has been most important
| factor in our progress. The entire CO.
operation of the city officials has ell
abled us to overcome many difficulties
the past year.
| The work of eight years has brought
| us to a point where nothing less than
the very best cleaned from our ex
perience and the knowledge gathered
| from those who have blaZed the track
to the ''new conception of the city
beautiful should satisfy u.s. And may
no false or stupid notion mar the har-
mony or the whole-souled devotion that
| have characterized our work IN all
| these years.
There is much of great significance in
cur personal association that should be
an inspiration to us and the thought
uppermoSt-hoW can we best advance
the work so vital to us all.
We feel that in closing a word of
commentator should be given our
president who has shown earnestness
and rare capability in many directions;
| to our vice presidents who have proven
| themselves possessed of just the need
ed qualities for the position and have
extended genuine hospitality upon all
occasions when it was due. Our treas
! urer is an experienced business woman
and fitted to fill any position of trust
and at all time to render properly bal
anced accounts. Our collector ana
other officers have been corresponding
| ly faithful and to the heads of the
various committees belong much praise
| for diplomacy and zeal in handling mat
| tiers placed in their hands.
In again returning the trust with
| which YOU have honored me so many
| wears, | wish to thank you heartily tor
your unfailing patience and kindness,
and to once more remind you of our
special mission, and that if we pursue
it tactfully and conscientiously, certain
| it is the time will come when no fur
ther argument will be needed to enlist
the friendly cooperation of all our
citizens in the object upon which so
largely depends the prosperity OF our
city-its attractiveness and up-to-date
methods.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH l.. BRACkETT.