The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-09-15
THE OBSERVER
Morristown From the View Poiut of
SoJourner.

Morristown From She View Point o.
a SoJourner.
Desiring a residence in the vicinity
: Of New York, the Observer cast about
5 for location considered most adYan.
! tageous by those well informed on the
f subject. Several requirements were to
be met. First, the distance from the
city must be within reasonable com.
muting time for the business men OF
J his family. Second, good schools avail
able for the growing children, and suf.
: ficient fresh air and play ground room
! for the smaller folks Above all the
! home town must be clean and carefully
J kept, and salubrious and wholesome
from every point of view.
J The subject was thoroughly investi-
gated, and several towns considered,
keach having its own superior claim.
TO the Observers mind, however. the
balance of favor lay with Morristown.
buthis inquiries elected from. several
authorities replies like the following:--
Yes, naturally considered, Norris
town is the most desirable place for a
home. Its location is unsurpassed,
aud its scenery most beautiful. Its
!. people are cultured, hospitable and
charitable, but, Glands raised in dep
recation) the town is so untidy !
There seems to be no enterprise there.
Public health is menaced by the con-
dition of the streets. cutters are filthy,
roads are bad, sidewalks rough and
broken and-well Morristown is fifty
years behind the times. Why, it is
only just beginning a system of sewer
age"
+ This report led to personal visit,
and despite the fact that some of the
Icriticisms were verified, the Observer
found the advantages so greatly in ex-
cess OF the disadvantages, and the lat
ter SO easily remediable, that he and
his cast in their lot with it's people and
became residents of Morristown. This
is not a very recent occurance, and
sufficient time has. elapsed to render
the Observer, from self interest and
actual experience an honest critic, and
withal, he hopes, not an unkindly one.
Moreover, responsibility of citizenship
produces feeling of jealousy as to the
reputation of the town, at home and
abroad, and an enforced residence dur
ing the summer months has given him
opportunities of observation denied to
those who pass but portion of the
year in this environment His con-
clusion. is that the elevation Of the
physical tone of tie rown to standard
whUse criticism and Lewiston shall be
djsarmed, is a thing imperative.
1t has been felt by the Observer and
his people that vital necessity was
the organization of Town Improve
ment Association, composed of the
representative men and women of the
place, who, themselves aroused to an
appreciation of its needs, should wake
the people from their Rip Wrinkle
lethargy, and endeavor to inculcate in
old and young, concerted, action in
the pursuit of that virtue which |
stands next to Goodness, and without
which no, human society can thrive
The lesson taught by civic righteous
ness too, results In the elevation of.the
mental and moral status of the indi-
vidual as well. No soul can expand to-
it's fullest dimensions in an environ
ment of physical filth and degradation,
the 9 Beloved Vagabond and other
attractive myths to the contrary, not
withstanding. There was no evidence I
Of their desire in any direction, andI
during many hot days of this exceed
ingly hot summer, in his rambler about
town, greeted by the effiuvia arising |
from stagnant pools in the Streets.
and losing his footing through tread
ing on fruit skins and loose stones, the
Observer has YEARLY questioned his
wisdom in selecting for a home, a so-
cality where apparently the loss, Of
healsh W ne the last things thought of.
Then suddenly, on one of the hottest
mornings, there burst on his gratised |
vision, several bright new metal cans.
at different intervals on the business
portion OF South street bearing the
pleasing legend Morristown Civic
Association, waste paper, fruit skins,
rubbish. /" AHA, theree'' he solil-
oQuized, there is such a society, and
here is the promise of better things.
These people are not dead--only Sleep
ing, and this is the first note OF their
awakening"
Never the less, a few feet furtheron.
the Observer was brought to a sudden
halt, by the unspeakable odors ascend |
ing to heaven, from the open doors of
vaults and cellars belonging to certain
public business houses facing the Park.
The polluted atmosphere was, too over
powering, and he was obliged to, face
about and retrace his steps. Not once
only did this experience ogerwheln
the Observer and several of his friends
also, but frequently, and he was led to
exclaim angels and ministers of
grace defend us!" Can these things
exist and Powers that Rn lzy,c.u, no ,,,,l,+