Connecticut western news., 1920-12-23

H.H. Observations and a Few Suggestions
 By a Community Member
 To Editor News:- i
 Manipulation of town affairs be- hind the backs of the voters and honest taxpayers is getting to be a serious evil. At town meeting the final decision on all: Town matters rests with the majority vote. If that vote is an honest expression of public opinion then according to all the rules and laws of town govern ment, the matters in question are disposed of. On the other hand, if the majority vote has been gained by dishonest and tricky methods that wouldn't be countenaced a moment in gamblers den, then the integ- rity of the town government has been assailed and the real wishes of the public been discountenanced.
 To sandbag the public is never a safe business. Public opinion when aroused is a power to be greatly feared and reckoned with. It is a witless fool or a malicious meddler who will continue to poke sticks at an enraged lion. An aroused public opinion can put stop to anything that 1t decides to. Political mana gers, who are the keeneSt and cleverest Of men, know that when old pubic opinion begins to thrush its tail and growl deep down in its throat, t is time to hunt for the safety zone.
 We have real respect and genuine liking for big leadership wherever it is found. Its qualifications are a bg brain, and all the splendid mental equipment that generally goes with big leaders brain, but God in pity defend us from the little imitators, whose sole ambition seems to be a pallid fever-chased yearning to get as far as possible from real work and the duties of home, and to pose as the public I! The great public I! whose step acress the street joggles the world!
 How the town came by that much talked of windfall has been carefully explained with meticulous clarity. Opportunities have been offered by the kindly news for suggestions as to it's disposal. l, town land holders wife and voter would like to say that if the Town Treasury is to be- come community grab-bag then the h1 hn n+ fn snatch at the contents thereof. This would include all the farmers and the people in East Canaan and Ca naan Valley, who are taxpayers and land holders.
 We would recommend to the middle aged and elderly matrons, who have skipped motherhood and its pains and responsibilities, that, if they are not bluffing, now is the time for them to show ther sincerity by filling up their homes with five or six of Connecticut's homeless chil- dren. The test of real service is the willingness to suffer some of the per sonal disco.ufort9 and personal sac-:- fees always attendant on real ser vice.
 That is not service that holds all the winning cards. The mothers of Canaan know enough to bring up the children they had the courage to bear, and the physicians and our ex- cellent visiting nurse can assist them whenever necessary. Service and uplift must be real and entirely unselfsh. The public is not blind, the greatest uplifters the world has ever known or ever will kDow', was born in a manager and He himself. was uplifted on the cross of extreme suffering and death, that the world might be redeemed from sin.
 There has nothing arisen on the horizon of the world, and never will, that can take the place of Christ and his teachings which are the basis of the christian religion to which human ity is immeasurably indebted. The Great Uplifter has said "I am the light of the World" and no other has proven better one to follow, for He who holds that light said Follow Me"
 I would gladly see the town wind fall divided evenly between the four churches with the stipulation that they all set their faces like flint against this abominable child Sab bath breaking on the playground. The right of little boys playing base ball is repugnant to many people. Let the churches put the command ments back in their places. Let us have done with pinwheels, penny whistle tooters, and all poppy-cock and paltry piffle activities. We all know better than. to follow every little jack-a-lantern we see. Why do we do it? Is it an honor to be led around by the nose?
 Yes, let the churches have the money. Not so bad an idea either.
 ol. I IL