The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1913-09-20
THE CITY'S OVERSIGHT
Her Advantages Noted A Park Ad-
yOcated- IA Comparison With
Other Places.

| For one TO be able to say Il am
a citizen of Brookhaven' carries
with it the idea of interest in
Everything that goes to make up the
very best town in the State. Though
the writer has been a resident for
only two years and half. he counts
himself happy to be called a citi-
zen; and indeed. insofar as he is
capable. interested in everything
THAT tends toward the progress and
development of the place. In fact
he stands ready to challenge any
ones love which dares to exceed
his. That which has done more to
make Brookhaven what it is than
anything else, is the spirit of the
people to ever make the town bet
ter. A satisfied spirit is always
dangerous and one which we sin
cerely trust will never prevail in
this town.
For the past seven months, my
duties have called me in all parts
of the State. Ihave, therefore, had
an opportunity to note the progress
and advantages of every town the
size of ours and even smaller.
Certainly little boosting is par
donable when a Brookhavenite is
talking to a fellow townsman. If
comparisons are in order we do not
hesitate to place Brookhaven at the
very top. In neatness, general ap-
pearance and business activity
there are none in the state that will
surpass her. Bit for one thing
we could, without blush. place
the crown upon her head. This
one defect compels our beautiful
town to occupy second place.
Let US not call this defect, but
rather an oversight which can
easily be corrected at the proper
| time.
According to the opinion of not
a few the time to correct this over
sight is now. Quite a few places
in reach of the children can easily
be made delightful Fairgrounds.
With a nice. up-to-date public
park. Brookhaven will easily be the
first town in the State. A more
liberal people are not to be found
than live in Brookhaven; any
worthy call meets with a ready re-
sponse. Certainly no cause can be
nearer the hearts of any people
than providing playground for
the children; and, too, a place
where all the town can resort with
pleasure and profit.
1t is hardly safe to say the re-
sponsibility of the youth ceases
when the body and mind are cared
for: there is a social nature which
must come into play. The question
is not whether such nature exists;
we all recognize this fact. The
question is not whether or not this
social nature will exert itself; this
fact is also inevitable. The ques-
tion is, how shall the social life of
the young be developed. Shall the
young decide this question for
themselves and often decide it in a
way which is questionable and
tends to degrade rather than to ele-
vate? Or shall every true citizen
help to plan and perfect policy
which will not only develop the
social side of life. but will do it in
such way as to add to the young
manhood and womanhood in devel-
oping character and pure and high
ideals. Such can be done and done
in such a way that the children
will rise up and call the parents
blessed.
To do this will cost a little
money. a little time and a little
wise thinking and planning. But
just a little; not more than the re-
ceipts of the soda fountain or the
picture show for a week. Nor
more time and thought than we
give these places. There may be
people in the world who will not
contribute to such a laudable un-
dertaking: but these people certain
| ly do not live in Brookhaven.
Just one hours thought on the
joy and blessing a first class play
ground will bring to our young
people will convert the most tight
listed in the town. Some children
have fine backgrounds in their
homes with ideal social advantages
and yet even these will derive great
benefit from the public park. But
our plea just here is for the great
number who are not SO well blessed
and are sadly in need of this very
help. And, too, the advantages
will not be confined to the children:
the grown-ups will find it no small
JOY to frequent such place and
partake of the life. and fellowship.
And indeed is not this one Of the
needs of our day? Is it not mis-
taken idea that prevails often that
the young must separate themselves
from the old before they can par
take of the joys of life. The ideal
condition is when both young and
old can unite and participate in
such pleasure and enjoyment as will
be elevating and refining. Such
can be had in Brookhaven when we
devote little time and thought to
the social needs.
Had We the time we might speak
of the needs this beautiful park
will meet. If we only realized i'll
lit will be equal to a back stairway
in the home when company comes.
For the children. there will be the
/ cor,I ,,ifoe and t,fhnr, ohfocfa ~ 10