Putnam patriot., 1916-02-04
EditOrially Speaking

The French Canadian Circle de Adj
vancement, perhaps more commonly
known as the fr n n Club, is not q
clue in the common acceptation Of
that term but IS absolutely what The
correct name implies, an organization
to promote the advancement Of It's
members Is citizens Of Putnam, and 10
uphold all measures for the advance.
ment Of the city as a whole.
Ii is enormously assumed by many
of our citizens That IL Is political
CLUB. 1t IS not. Politics being "a topic
OF public interest and one In which the
Individual should interest and Inform
himself 1t naturally comes before The
circle for consideration and discussion,
but IL is not by any means the sole in
terest for which the circle was formed.
We understand that the Circle has
some three hundred members. II
holds regular meetings and special
meetings when occasion requires. All
public questions and public measures
come up for discussion at these meet
ings. Everyone may say his word and
freely express his opinion on the topic
under consideration. This brings out
many and varied points Sometimes
the Arguments wax warm but Ms soon
as the meeting adjoufns personal feel
ings are put 10 ore side II they have
been engendefed during the heat of
discussion. While questions are being
thus threshed out the members are
gaining confidence In speaking la pub.
lie; they are training themselves to
think for themselves; TO decide for
themselves; TO state their opinions con-
cisely and logically: and TO open their
minds TO the viewpoint Of others and
be able to Judge fairly and along brond
lines. This is excellent trimming for
young men and tends TO make better
citizens.
Last Sunday evening the Building
and Loan Association wns discussed.
In short while the Circle is 10 take
up the subject of gas and electricity in
the city and we understand the local
manager OF the Putnam Light n Power
Company has consented to address the
members. These are Two subjects that
show along whit line the circle pro
ceeds. such an association eaa not
help but be benefit to the city rs
well as to the members 1t would be
8 D. for Ina atf "a
association could be formed at the
southern end OF the city for the same
purpose. Questions could be discus
sed and later debates might be artanR
ed between me mhers OF the Two orRa-
niznlions. Or perhaps better still II
similar organization taking In all OF
the men in the city. Perhaps the
Chamber of Commerce covers this in
measure II more of our citizens would
interest themselves to attend the meet,
ings and participate IN the discussions.
Concerted effort under organization
is always power for good in
any community il properly used. Il
obtains result, where individual ell
fails There is not the slightest cause
for objection 10 the French Canadian
citizens of this or amy other city or.
gAnlzing fof the purpose of advancing
their interests aud the interests of their
adopted city when carried ON along
broad lines for general welfare a i
done by the local circle de Advance
ment II one is fortunate enough 10
procure the opportunity to attend one
OF these meetings the free aud unfe.
strained discussion OF subjects of puo
lie interest can not but help being Of
interest and make a lasting impression
and force upon the spectator that here
Is an organization proceeding upon the
proper lines in full accord with policies
of a free country and republic form
of government such as the United
States of America.