Putnam patriot., 1909-07-30
To Combine All Social Energy 10 Benefit
 the Community.

As society grows older, and people begin 10 study the effect of refining in- fluences on their daily life, to bestow upon them comfort and happiness, they turn their attention to the prob lem of how to surround themselves with such influences al all times as an atmosphere. Naturally the first to be considered Is the home. When that Is satisfactorily completed, IL Is discov- cred to be only one step in the right di. rection. Then the problem is taken up as whole and 1t Is seen that one home is but part of one great whole. When the adjoining homes are properly ad- justed then it is still but beginning. The mind then takes In the entire city, then the county, the State, the nation, the entire world. So long as there is any spot in the world that lacks the re- fining influences desired, 1t Is working As an opposition force, to deter the at. tainment of refining influences.
 The magnitude of the difficulties to be overcome to reach perfect condi- lion Of refining influences, should not be a cause of dismay or even of un- easy solicitude. When an individual does ali that Is possible for him to do to bring about the perfect state that is to give comfort and happiness, he has secured 1t as certain as though his dream were realized.
 Act we'll thy part,
 In that the honor lies.
 People, young and old, are educated in many places to learn that cleanliness is kin to godliness, and refinement con- duces to happiness. Parks are being demanded in all cities for health and happiness to their people. Cities are being cleaned and beautified for the same reason.
 Last Arbor Day in some of the South ern cities the people devoted 1t to clean ing public places, removing evrything that was offensive to the senses, and they enjoyed the work, and the com- munity was happier in the conscious ness of being in . purer atmosphere and feeling greater self-respect.
 In New York city boys have been o: : ganized into brigades, and . part of the city assigned to each brigade to be kept clean by it. The boys enjoy the work, evidently from a consciousness $ they are doing useful service, and un- consciously they are being made good citizens.
 In various ways boys are trained to become good and useful citizens uncon- sciously by placing upon them respon- abilities thai demand self-control and good behaviour, and of which they are proud. In some cities they are organ i.ing police brigades, enlisting some of the worst boys to be found, for the ser vice. With their badges of authority they become faithful in their dutles, which are confined to looking after wayward boys. When they arrest any caught in mischief they take them to court with all the dignity of veteran policemen.
 The law of development Is simple one. The powers and faculties of a hu- man being can be developed into good or bad according asl they are trained. It becomes more and more difficult 10 change habits the older we grow. 1t Is therefore important to have ideals of what city should be to begin train- ing the young in everything that leads to perfection.
 The city of Putnam has relied alto gether on the legal public organizations To look after and care for all the iDte r. ests of the city. But their authority is restricted, and public opinion and desire can only be made effective by organization.
 When the public has an organization sustained by the entire community, it l. more powerful than any legal body not so sustained. But il must embrace the main portion Of all good citizens to be potential in accomplishing it's purposes. A divided community is helpless to accomplish anything to be- support of all worthy citizens to be effective in it's efforts and purposes.
 The Putnam Business Mems Associa- ton has been organized for the purpose of bringing not only prosperity to the city but to elevate 1t in every direction to make 1t an inviting place for an in- teliigent class of people to make 1t their permanent home. It is already pro- vided with many of the most impor- tant requirements for refined people. To secure what is lacking can be ac- complished only in one way, namely, to get the men of the city to give char actef and power to the Business Mems Association to accomplish its declared purposes, by joining its ranks and thus give IL the full force of their influence. Next, to get the ladies to form a socie- ty--with Or without gentIemen--to in- tefest themselves in whatever will adofn and beautify the city, and espe- cially to expose all offensive sights that can be removed: and that their Iabors and suggestions De submitted 10 the Business Mems Association 10 have them carried into effect. Then, not to omit the younger people, to get them oraganized into | society also, with