THE ANNUAL MEETING. 141 



much that is unsafe to traverse even in daylight. Our school grounds almost 

 a barren waste ; our cemetery, with the exception of a little private work, almost 

 as bad ; and our park, that might be the pride of the village and the envy of 

 the State, almost wholly neglected ; and the sides of tiie streets made the re- 

 ceptacle for all the rubbish of the adjoining houses. How can we expect to 

 draw and retain in the place the better classes, so long as such things exist. 

 Lack of public spirit has contributed to the decline of many towns, and evi- 

 dence is seen in poor roads and sidewalks and neglected public grounds. 



I do not think we are lacking in public spirit, and I know there is abund- 

 ance of taste and desire for improvement, and I believe all we need is an 

 organization whereby all efforts can be united and if need be, concentrated to 

 accomplish results that shall tell wonderfully in the improvement of our village. 



Too often neglected private grounds, dilapidated dwellings, barns, or sheds, 

 or a street -ugly with piles of decaying brush or chips, discarded fruit cans, 

 broken harrows, carts or sleds, a front fence with missing pickets and a dis- 

 abled gate give an air of shiftlessness that mars the effect of an otherwise 

 beautiful village. Here an association is needed to develop that private taste 

 and public spirit which will remove such defects and disfigurements. When 

 every citizen is stimulated to make his own grounds and wayside not only free 

 from rubbish but neat and attractive, the entire town becomes so invitins: and 

 homelike as to give new value to all its homes. Such affectionate care and 

 attention to the homes indicate a kindly, intelligent, home-loving people, and 

 no better praise need be given to any people than that they tenderly cherish 

 their homes. A stranger can hardly drive through such a town without saying. 

 Here are people of refinement, who love their homes, and therefore tastefully 

 guard the surroundings of their daily lives. These surroundings, trifling as 

 they seem to some, are the more important, because they are constant forces 

 in moulding character. Cleaning up, dusting, putting things in order are 

 little matters in the parlor, sitting room or kitchen, yet how soon each becomes 

 forbidding when these trifles are neglected. Just so in a village, these minor 

 matters neglected, and the comfort, content, reputation and prosperity of a 

 whole community suffer. But worst of all, home-life suffers and character 

 deteriorates. 



Among the specific objects of such an association is the securing of better 

 roads. In no way can the reputation of a place be better established than by 

 good roads ; they are an index of the character and enterprise of the people. 

 The first impressions of all visitors will be influenced by the roads. All the 

 good features of the place will be enhanced by good roads, but will be almost 

 entirely spoiled by bad ones. The improvement and care of the roadsides is an 

 important consideration, second only to the roadway. A smooth green space 

 at either side adds much to the appearance of the road and to the pleasure of 

 passing over it, and this is largely increased by the addition of rows of thrifty 

 trees. 



The subject of street lamps would j^roperly come before such a society. 

 "Well lighted streets would remove a great hindrance to social enjoyment, add 

 much to the comfort of all, and tend to promote the good fellowship so essential 

 to the welfare of any community. 



The improvement of public grounds is one of the important objects. Every 

 village in the State should possess its public park orgreen, which may be made 

 not only a source of much enjoyment, but will add many times its cost to the 

 value of property. Money wisely expended in adornment of this kind is a 

 profitable investment. 



