The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-09-08
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Companion, contain articles on the re-
markable civic development which had
taken place in Rochester, N. Y, during
the past few years under the inspira-
ton of the slogan: do it for Roch-
ester" The story of this development
is well worth reading, because it
shows every other city, large or small
what may be accomplished in a COM
munity where petty jealousies are for
gotten, and where the people work to-
gether heartily and tremendously for
the common good.
The city itself does not differ strik-
ingly from several others which do
not attain to the dignity of a metropo-
lis and yet contain a population of
100000 or 100000. Its chief indus
tries are high grade clothing, shoes,
Photographic and optical instruments,
ivory buttons arc specialized machin-
cry. And yet it is different from most
cities of its class because it is doing
his children.
about ten years ago man named
Sidney Clark, who had married a
Rochester girl, came to that city TO
live He had been a member of the
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
and soon he was elected secretary of a
similar organization in Rochester. He
had ambitious plans for his adopted
city. He wanted to see it cleaner,
more useful, and more beautiful. In
some way he compelled Rochester to
absorb his own Western enthusiasm,
and the city began to do things. Let
Anna !. Richardson, who writes on
this subject in the Woman's Home
Companion, tell US what has been &C.
complished. She says:
Five vital factors contribute to
make Rochester lovable city, to be
studied by men and women who have
the welfare of their children and their
home town at heart These are: First
municipal interest in the welfare OF
children before and after birth. Sec
and girls are taught the rudiments OF
the trades at which they expect to
make their living and are thus saved
an underpaid apprenticeship. Third
the Mechanic Institute where boys
learn that there is art and science, and
beauty in every trade and Joy in work
and where girls learn that there is
dignity and happiness in home-mak.
ing and collaborating. Fourth the
Social Centers, where young and ole
learn that no man can live unto him.
self but that the needs of the com.
munity are more pressing than the
needs of the individual. Fifth, foul
practical organizations: A Chamber
of Commerce that is never caught nap.
ping, but is vitality interested in every
movement in Rochester, commercial
sociological and political; Woman''
Club that has graduated far beyond
the theory of art and literature to {
study of Rochester'S needs today an(
tomorrow and twenty-five years hence
the Brick Church Institute which j!
not content TO work for itself, bu
which cooperates with other organiza
tons; two lunch clubs, one for mel
and one for women. which meets fort
nightly, not to eat, but to DO fo
Rochester the things that should b.
DONE
The city is famous for its play
grounds. 1t keeps a close watch owe
the health of the pupils of the schools
1t opens the school buildings for tn,
educational purposes. 1t has created
a wonderful spirit of loyalty, and "DC
it for Rochester" is not a meaningless,
phrase.
1t is impossible to go into detail re
garding the reforms inaugurated. TIL,
story of this great development, how
ever, should teach a lesson TO our owl
people We need more of the DO j
for Montpelier" spirit. There is 81
much that we might do if we woult
only try earnestly. We have a Ger
tain feeling of loyalty, but it is no
sufficiently well developed. We neet
greater faith in the future of our city
greater enthusiasm in our enterprise
for the welfare of the municipality
We have made considerable progress
in the past few years. We have al
excellent Board of Trade and an eff
cient Woman's Club, but we ought t,
give these organizations more heart,
support. We have erected magnifi
cent City Hall, but it remains for III
to take advantage of the possession o
this splendid building by making
Montpelier the convention city of tn
State. We do not need to be told tina
new High School building is an i'm
perative need. 1t is entirely possibl
for us, by means of a Merchants Day
or some other form of publicity, t.
make this city much more of trad
ing center than it is today. We nigh
bring to this city and this county
large number of summer tourists
we sought this business with dill
gerce. 1t is important that we shoul
give hearty support to the Cross Stat
railroad project, the success of whicl
means so much for the future pros
perity of Montpelier. These and man
more things call for activity on on
part
What we need is what Rocheste