Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1909-02-26

ering this year of 1902 Ii is very
important question; more vital 10 the
| health and material interest of the city
than the great body of our citizens are
aware, and those that understand il
| least and care theIleast, are the very
ones that suffer the most from lack of
sewering-they do not connect cause
and effect.
| Putnam has always been considered
healthier than the average places of its
soil and natural drainage. But these
| advantages decrease with the increase
| OF population unless sewering is pro-
| vided Sewering should always be
built in connection with public wa
ter system such as this city is now
| blessed with.
| There is an ominous warning in the
| report of the State Board of Health
for January. The deaths in Putnam
| for that month were 19-this is an an
nual death rate of 2s.4 per loee-the
|
In these days of enlightenment people
| nc longer attribute preyentible diseases
TO an inserutable Providence, but TO
the wilful neglect of the suffering COM
munity.
We thus call attention to this fact in
order that as many of our citizens as
| 4. In ptt ia a nt
the question, and take. part therein if
they desire, for ii is an open debate.
The question is not, "Shall there be
| sewering?n for the voters have already
decided that question affirmatively and
have expended money to initiate it.
| The question is, "Shall it be accom-
plished this year," And the meeting
is to be held to give citizens an oppor-
| tunity toexpress their will on the ques-
ton.
Another reason why there should be
is because of the presence of DIR. Omer
LaRue, our Health Officer, who has
| been assigned to speak on the aftirma-
tive side. DIR. LaRue has thoroughly
| mastered the subject he is 10 discuss,
| from A to Il. No one need be in doubt
on the importance of having sewering
at once if possible, and at least as early
as practicable. The Doctor is good
speaker, and no one need be i'll doubt
about what he says and means. He
will also readily give answers to ques.
tons propeunded to him ON the sub
ject.
The negative side may have good
reasons to advance why il is impracu-
cable to undertake sewering this year.
If so, they should present those fully
and clearly as possible. 1t is public
duty for them to do so. There is too
much at stake to allow anything to be
left on either side that would enlight-
en- those so deeply concerned.
We feel assured that the discussion
of the question will not only prove
deeply interesting but will be satisfacto-
rliy solved and properly decided when
the decision is rendered. But this is
assuming that the people will give the
discussion the close attention its deep
importance demands.
The intention we understand is, that
the debate will begin as soon after $50
as the Association can be brought TO
order.
In nf % az
ceedings of the Association, President
Wheaton announced that tbs mission
of Business Mems Association is not
mainly to secure new industries. lie
said il Is an organization of all classes
of citizens, irrespective of party poll
ties, religion or social distinctions, TO
work together for one sole purpose: TO
do anything aud everything they can
for the betterment of their community
and to cooperate with all public Off
GERS. entrusted with the management
of public affairs, in carrying out this
policy. In city like Putnam there
are many organizations to carry on
work of distinctive character, such as
churches, fraternal societies, agricul-
tural societies, hospitals, and the like,
all doing special service without con-
flict or interference with each other.
So also has the Business Mems Associ-
alton assumed to do service which is
to benefit all other organized bodies,
and even those who contribute no vo-
luntary service and are entirely indif-
ferent 10 everything unconnected with
their invidual interests.
To make its work effective the Bust
ness Mems Association must unite its
me mbers fratenally, give them service
that will make them feel conscious that
il is of benefit 10 The community. and
that the community appreciates il.
Then will they realize they are power
for good, and within its special domain
the Association sways the community
because il does things and is power is
recognized as means in advancing
general prosperity. Not until il ac-
eomplishes something definite viii the
Association find its right place 10 work
out lis real destiny.
The remarkable growth Of such as
soeiatIons as ours. j. shown by state
ment made by State President Dexter
] L. Bishop al the recent banquet given
bythe Sex Britain Business Men : As
ISOLATION. lie said:
.sTheTe are thirty i've Business Mems
4 s$ns.i ions in The stale REPRESENTING