Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-04-29

human being to try to be a better
man or woman, don't you feel it has
i been worth while?
Looking upon another ana a lit e
more selfish side Of the matter, can
We estimate how much benefit to
4 our town, the proper care and court
esy shown the visiting teachers here,
may ultimately bring us?. OF what
profit may it be to the city event
ua1ly that up and down the length
and breadth of the state, Grand Rap
ids is spoken of as a town where
i they DO things worth while" because
the people pull together for certain
ends! We are known as town
opposed to unsightly bill boards,
dirty back yards, upclean size walks,
waste paper, glazing advertisements
and all other things that tend to
retard civic growth
We are also known as a town with
fine natural advantages which we
are endeavoring to preserve am
beautfy-as town with splen1il
school system which we are striving
constantly to improve; OF town
that looks after its sick and poor,
and helps to improve their moral as
we'll as physical conditions.
We hope to be known as a town
fond of good music, fine art ami
architecture, and elevatlng literature
and amusements. Do you think that
such town, with added parks and
picturesque drives, with the hum of
business activity ever increasing,
would attract people, and Increase
business, and eventually help to
bring better conditions about?
Would this be worth while trying to
create? Can you estimate what an
addition a fine $4,000 library bull
! ing set upon a splendid site would
be to the esthetic side of our city?
| believe we cannot estimate the
amount OF influence these things
have, we only know it is all good.
But before any good thing can be
accomplished in any community, it is
necessary to bring before its people
again and yet again and in different
ways, the idea which we would have
carried out. This work is the true
mission of the Federation and so
long as this body shall, through its
! meetings and the local press, keep
before the public the consideration
of needed reforms and improvements,
so long will our city continue to
| grow in civic cleanliness and beauty.
If you are one OF the number to
do these things, one who works cheer
/ fully for the advancement of your
town in all directions, can you feel
that the effort, the strain, the time
given to this work, was not truly
well spent?
The assistance rendered the CT
| floors ct
year by chairmen and members of
committees has been most loyal and
efficient, and we well realize that
this is the reason that almost every
project considered, has proceeded
quietly and persistently on to success
| You know that Emerson says "Dis-
tinction does not lie in attaining high
positions, but in filling with dignity
and grace those We are called to-
| And if this is so, l can surely say
that never have committees render
ed more distinctive service than
those given by the standing commit
tees of the City Federation for the
/ past year.
And now l am going to ask you to
| pledge to the new officers and the
new work Of next year, the same I'M
ending service and enthusiasm which
you have ever rendered to the old
regime.
If you would have our undertake
ing, and they are large ones,
ings, and they are large ones, sue
coed, you must be ready when called
upon to accept promptly and gracious
ly the part assigned you. And
having accepted you must fill your
office, assuming all responsibility
and work Of the same and only ask
ing advice and permission of your
presiding officer to carry out your
ends.
A little thought upon this subject
will convince you this is only just,
as the Presidents duties are various
and almost without number.
Let it be your endeavor to light
en- her load in every way, for
strength and endurance for the many
duties, must not be entirely absorbed
by any one. Let it be your pleasure
to learn exactly what duties are ex-
pected of you in your position, and
then with your best effort endeavor to
fulfill your place. All positions are
responsible ones, but none more so,
than chairmen and vice chairmen or
the Divisions. They are the Captains
/
ranks with enthusiasm, that each
good fight may be won.
! The chairmen of Committees are
equally necessary, they with their
committee are the especial corps sent
to gain the desired nights; the work
must be done by the corps, but the
directions must come from the Gener-
al and his staff, or as we know them
the President and the Board of Di-
rectors.
The other members of the organiza-
ton are the rank and file of the
army which must step in and often
fill the breach and by Their pres
ence in numbers send the enemy in
to head-long flight.
Members of the Federation, are
you ready to take up the good fight
and carry it on to perfect victory?
1t is not a flowery pathway l have
pictured to entice you to go for
ward, but l am sure you will none
Of you waver for all of that and to
strengthen US that we may bravely
press onward let us recall those