Graham guardian., 1913-02-21
INTERESTING PAPER
Read by a Stafford Lady at
the Banquet Given by
the Civic League

The following interesting paper
Woman and the Civic League" was
written by Mrs. A. G. Smith and
read by her at the banquet given by
the Civic League last Friday evening
in the Methodist church:
Mr.. POSTMASTER, LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN:
Where shall T begin? This subjecs.
Woman anu the Civic League"
I'm ashamed to confess, is one to
which l had given no particular
thought. When things about town
didn't just meet with my approval.
| complained to Mr.. Smith, instead
of going direct to those who did the
things which disapproved. BuE
am the only one guilty of this
fault? Looking over the board it,
seems to me that there are at least.
few guilty faces, and my only
apology for this condition is that we.
have all dreaded taking the initial
step toward Improvement of any
kind, fearing that we might lack
the support of the many.
Isn't it supposed to be the correct
form to open speech or paper with
an anecdote to rivet the attention
Of the audience? Well, this time
I'm not going to inflict you as I
never attempt story without for
getting the point just as | arrive at
the crucial moment.
had been told that Mr.. Link
wanted to interview me. but further
enlightment on the subject was not
forthcoming. i owed him $3.50 and
l was sure he was out looking for it.
l couldn't blame him. But, much
to my surprise. he didn't mention
the debt, but asked me to give my
views on the subject of Woman
and the Civic League. With q
motto Help. don't Hinder" he i'm
pressed it upon me that it was my
duty toward Stafford to do what l
could. Consequently I'll impose on
you for a few moments and ask you
to make generous allowance for the
crudeness of my efforts.
Like the majority of women, we.
of Stafford. in a desultory fashion.
have probably read in our Women's
Magazines what the various women s
civic clubs have accomplished and
marvelled at the wonders. But
have we ever thought that with a
band of Stafford women, thoroughly
aroused and enthused we. too, could
improve our town to as great "a
degree?
Our.men have formed the Civic
League looking toward the better
ment of Stafford. They hope to
make the place so attractive that
the fame of the town will spread
broadcast and people of standing
and wealth will be influenced to
come and share our glorious valley,
with its rich soil, it's unexcelled
climate and magnificent scenery.
But these men, good and true,
realize that they only contemplate
improvements in general; that they
need the women for detail. Con-
sequently WE are their GUESTS to
night with the sole object of inter
esting US in Civic Work.
Women are natural home house
wives. In entering Civic Work they
will apply their housekeeping plans
first. cleaning things up and then
beautifying. In other words.
housecleaning will be first, then the
hanging of the pictures and reup-
holstering of the shapely furniture,
completing house beautiful.
Women especially, should be in
terested in the sanitation. the
butcher, the baker and candlestick
maker" the schools and the beauti-
fication of the town. One or two
women cannot accomplish much,
but League, formed of all inter-
ested women of Stafford can improve
present conditions materially. We
realize that the women nave the
home and families to attend. and
the men have business of one k nd
or another, yet little time each
day given by each one to the up
lifting Of our town will yeilG rich
returns.
Take our SCHOOLS-Are they
made as attractive as possible? Are
the walls tinted restful harmonious
color? Is the ventilation good?
These are small things in themselves
yet the benefits to be derived are
incalculable. Our school board elects
good competent teachers, who do
their full duty I've no doubt. But
if it was suggested to the Board
that the expenditure of a few dollars
might make the school so attractive
that the most wayward pupil would
hesitate to play hockey, don't
you think band of united women
could induce them to open the
pursestrings? With the nucleus of
tinted walls couldn't the, pupils
be enthused with the spirit of i'm
provement instead of destruction
and eventually make our school as
attractive as any in the state?
1t is hard to inculcate the love of
the beautiful when there is nothing
beautiful around. And how many