The Republican journal., 1913-06-12
Belfast Improvement Society.

The annual meeting of the Belfast Improve
ment Society was held Monday, June 9th, at
the home of the secretary. Mrs R. F. Dunton,
President presiding. After the routine business.
report of the work in progress at the Park
was given by Mrs. E. r. Pierce, adopted and
the committee authorized to continue N
first planned to put the new shrub beds in
condition and repair the pavilion and oven.
The reports of the secretary and treasurer
followed and by vote were ordered published
in the local papers.
THE SECRETARY'S REPORT
To the officers and members of the Belfast
Improvement Society: Very briefly herewith
is submitted the report of the year. It has
been unique in the history of our society. in
that no public entertainment of any sort has
been held under our auspices and it has been
practically season of inactivity when COM
pared with previous years. For this there
are several legitimate reasons, mainly because
the life of our active members has been over
crowded in doing good through other channels
The working force of our society has ever
been small, although results have been corre-
spondingly large and we have made history of
which we have reason to be proud. No one
looking over the record of our doing in the
past thirteen years would fail to appreciate
the fact that we have )abored to transform
and beautlfy our city and that community
life Is more uplifting and progressive because
of our existence. We have not attained our
ideals, but much that have accomplished
will be for the benefit and enjoyment of those
who follow after.
We have not only concerned ourselves in
keeping the streets and all adjacent properties
clear of rubbish and attractive and to provide
convenient places of common resort, as our
beautiful city park. but we have endeavored to
strengthen the social and moral fibre of our
citizenship.
We regret that there are still some insight
iy places, backyards that are receptacles for
old tin cans. decaying vegetables and all man
ner of debris, even in the heart of the city,
veritabe breeding places for mosquitoes flies
and disease germs, but they are few and it is
hoped that the owners may at once be brought
to realize that these are the things that breed
fevers, tuberculosis and other diseases entail
ing burden upon the community and that it
is criminal to allow them. Cleanliness is next
to Godiness," yet it is sometimes easier to
pray for the salvation of the heather in for
eign lands than to prevent Lazarus with
his sores" from lying at the gates of your own
dooryards.
We have as heretofore kept the pavilion and
oven at the park in good condition for the use
of the public and at considerable expense.
Our efficient flower and park committee have
cared for the trees and shrubs, making several
new beds and transplanting some shrubs to
better locations.
The care of the rubbish barrels which we
had maintained for eleven years was in the
late summer assumed by the city. We are not
personally aware if the metal barrels promised
were purchased or placed. Complaints have
recently come to US of the great litter on our
business streets, which beside being unsightly,
is dangerous. Paper blown about and banana
nor alIytrc hayya hanr fL< e
cidents. We would suggest that our sani-
tary and street vigilant committee be author
lied to interview the City officials at once on
the subject
The work at the Muck in which the socie-
ty toon the initiative buying and removing
buildings at considerable COST has not been
completed first planned. The unfavorable
weather of last season and some other reasons
have prevented outside parties who pledged
gratuitous labor from doing what was neces-
sary and it rests under the care of an interest
ed and efficient committee.
The popular course of lectures maintained
by our society for three years was, after a
canvass by Committee of the people interest
ed, abandoned for the season. Personally we
did not approve of this but it may have been
the wiser move. The grand entertain
ment suggested in its place was not even
given. Possibly the fine entertainments given
by the Musical Society and affairs by other or
ganizations ard clubs may have met the intel
lectual needs of our community, but we
gret to see our society side-tracked after SO
many years of successful striving. There
should be room for every endeavor of this
nature.
Early in the year it was voted to hold month
ly meetings instead of semi monthly as here
tofore.
We have held 10 regular meetings with two
by special call During the serious illness of
the secretary meetings were held.
We have 6S members in good standing.
We have received the same generous favors
from the local papers in promoting work
aud all the local reporters have advertised our
efforts In every way possible and all are en-
titled to our sincere thanks.
The attendance at the meetings has been
small but the majority of members on our roll
are ever ready to lend hand when called up
on. The committees to whom work has been
assigned have been loyal and efficient and We
have been exceedingly fortunate in having
President a second year, one who commands
universal love and respect and who is possessed
of practical ideas and broad charity.
Our past is worthy the highest commenda-
tion despite all criticism and many things that
were deemed visionary or impossible are now
concrete realities, won for the many by the un-
selfish energy and enthusiasm of the few.
What our future is to be depends largely
upon the cooperation of those who believe in
keeping the true city ideal foremost and bright.
We have been. personally, always optimistic
for the Belfast improvement Society, and some
of the suggestions for the immediate future,
notably the lighting the City Park with cleo
tricity and the buying and improving some
vacant lots In the business part of our city,
are indications that the spirit of courage and
progress are still with US. We believe that 1t
is reasonably safe prediction to say that the
Belfast Improvement Society will have