The Republican journal., 1911-06-15
THE SECRETARY'S REPORT.
To the Officers and Members of the Belf;

To the Officers and Members of the Belfast
Improvement Society:
Assured that certain points relative to adj
vance along our line of work usually taken Up
by your secretary would be ably handled by
our President in his address, we have come to
you for the first time in eleven years with a
brief outline report.
The year just finished while not marked by
any extensive work has yet been quietly pro-
gressive. 1t is sometimes years ere we are
fully conscious just chow far the little candle
sheds its BEAM still the special effort we have
made along lines of education and culture the
past two years is ultimately certain to rebound
to the advantage of all our citizens and bear
fruit in higher direction than material gain.
Pessimism has had no part with our loyal
workers in all the years since our organization
and we have been determined to see in trials
and disappointments blessings in disguise We
have looked adverse circumstances out of
countenance again and again and thus have
been able to accomplsh many socalled impos-
sible things. Our history is of which we
have every reason to be proud and every right
minded, unselfsh citizen will acknowledge the
benefit accruing to our city through our labors
during the past eleven years
During the season 1901 we have kept up
the system of rubbish receptacles in the bust
ness part of the city and with the kindly CO.
operation of Mr.. Cunningham. street commits
sioner, have end avored to have all streets
clear of unsightly litter.
/ We have expended nearly $50 outside of the
appropriation from the city, in keeping the
grass cut and flower beds free from weeds at
the park and in caring for the pavilion and
oven that they might be in good condition and
free to all parties. Two beds of rare hand
some peonies have been planted, one the gift
of VIM. F. Bean, the other by the society The
bathhe uses built and owned by us were sold
during the summer of 1910 to a private indi-
vidual with the understanding that they were
| to be removed, for far from being the source
| of income anticipated they each year incurred
large expense and were in many ways nui
sance. The later deal by which they still re-
main on the park shore is mu.h to the regret
of the society and others.
Dec. a lecture by Prof. Briscoe of the
University of Maine upon 1.-The Care of
Trees was given under our auspices free, all
expense being borne by the society. That
more of our citizens did not avail themselves
of this privilege is their loss.
We have no hesitancy in saying that the
| public lecture course during the winter, SO
ably managed by our President and his COM
mittee of arrangements, was success despite
the financial deficit. and we are certain that
the active interested members, one and all, feel
/ that the money was well invested and will pay
good dividends.
The recent purchase by the society of the
property near 'the muck SO called is consider
ed by business men as a wise move on our part
A vision of what this may be in the near future
appears to those most interested and is an in
spiration to renewed effort. The matter is in
the hands of a competent committee of promi-
nent men who are to report plans at early
date.
We have held 10 meetings with three by
special call. The various committees have
been diligent in the work Of their departments
and have held meetings as occasion required.
We have CT members paid to date with a
membership of SO. Several new members have
been added. Two are deceased
We have had the pleasant innovation during
the past twelve months Of live, energetic
man with progressive ideals at the head of
our organization for the first time. We would
not imply by this that there has not been wise
and satisfactory administration of affairs by
the representatives of the gentler sex who
have presided over our deliberations, still we
| have greatly appreciated the intelligent meth
DDS of the present head and regret exceedingly
that circumstances beyond our control are to
take him from our leadership and our city.
| Our sincere gratitude is due him for his indie
fatigable labors for the best interest of our
Society and city and our best wishes, unstinted,
are extended to him.
| In our duty as collector this year we have
been extremely gratified by the willing re-
sponse and the universal interest manifested.
The experience Of all organizations is that
comparatively few attend meetings and the
burden of planning rests upon small working
force, but many others are loyal and can be
counted upon as willing and efficient "re-
serves" when opportunity requires.
Our society was in the vanguard of the
movement for civic betterment, and while for
various reasons we have not accomplished all
we desired or planned and have been singular
ly handicapped of late in our work, many of
the improvements in our city are the out
growth Of public spirit engendered by our
society and a long list Of public conveniences
and attrat tions are directly to our credit
We are sanguine that we have a future as
well and that ere long we shall resume our
old-time activity and without the "blare of
trumpets," go on successfully.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH L. BRACKET, Sec.
THE TREAsURER's REPORT.