The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1913-02-06
Civic League Work.

In deed and in truth the civic
league has ben revived and its men,
bers have reused from their lethargy,
determined to no longer close their
ewes to the true state of affairs IN
Bamberg, but to seek the evils out
and find remedy if possible. At
the first meeting of the new year,
Mrs. Brokers cozy sun parlor was
filled with ladies, all eager to help
make their town "a city better" as
well as "a city beautiful" Eight
new names were enrolled and quite
an amount of business transacted.
But other members are needed, every
lady of Bamberg should feel it her
duty to, join, giving the aid of her
influence and half dollar yearly if no
more, towards making her home
town a more healthful and inviting
place for her children to grow up in
than heretofore. When one stands
back and refuses to help, she is sure
ly shirking her portion of the work
and still will share in the good re-
sulting from the labors of others.
At this meeting of the league, all
of the standing committees gave re-
ports of their work, also of improve
ments contemplated. A detailed ac-
count of these reports will be given
soon, it seeming more important just
now to consider some of the condi-
tions which exist in Bamberg that
are unfavorable to its grouth. 1t
seems good and we'll when booming
ones town to seek out only the ia
vorable things that may be said or
written about it and hide the things
which would cause new corners to
stay away. But does this pay
in the end? If there are ugly faults
which have been concealed, they will
he known some day and the town will
get a reputation for dishonesty. Is
it not best to hunt out these ugly
conditions, frankly acknowledge
them and set Ito work to remedy
these evils? Jacksonville, Fla, has
found this to be true. The Half
Million Club" was organized for the
purpose of increasing its population
to a half million. 1t found that no
progress could be made until sanl-
tary conditions were improved and
the sources of disease removed. 1t
issued circulars telling the facts and
urged that every citizen demand of
the authorities that every swamp,
marsh and other unhealthful place
about the city be put under the con-
troll of the health board, cleaned up
and kept clean and sanitary. Jack
sonville has been made clean, its
death rate has decreased and the
public are confident that it will be
kept so, and the health of the citi-
zens safe-guarded by every means
known to modern science.
Why not such revolution in
Bamberg? 1t is sadly needed. A
thorough investigation is not needed,
merely a drive around the principal
streets will show the town to be in
a most unsanitary condition, not to
mention the sights which are un-
pleasing to the aesthetic senses-the
worst kept town he had ever visited,
was the verdict of a travelling sales
man, short time ago. Can Bam-
berg with her many beautiful homes,
handsome churches, thriving schools
and prosperous citizens afford to
have such things said of her? Where
in lies the trouble; is it not the duty
Of her citizens to trace the evil to it's
source and remedy it? The laws of
the town are many and wise, but are
they enforced, and if not-why not?
In the next issue some of these ugly
conditions are to be mentioned, and
the ladies of the civic league are
going to find out why they are al
lowed to exist and they are going to
cal OF the civic pride of the men to
awaken and arouse them to efforts
to re-make their town.
At the close of the very interest
ing meeting at the home of Mrs.
Brooker, she delightfully."- departed
from the rule of mo refreshments
at the league meetings, and served
dainty cakes and sparkling nectar to
her guests.
U. D. L. Meeting.