“Eggs,” from the
June 16, 1916 issue of The Monroe Journal.
The paper had two columns entitled “Eggs” and I have combined them below. The
title seems to refer to an old custom of throwing a rotten egg at someone or
something as a form of protest.
Man (supposed to
be), “Does your wife belong to that Woman’s Club? No indeed! I’d rather see her
dead than have her join.”
“These women had
better be at home sewing buttons on their husband’s clothes.”
Some non-members
riddle the Woman’s Club for all it’s worth because they think it is responsible
for the enactment of some of the city ordinances. Say these non-members: “They
better be at home ‘tending to their children.”
A traveling salesman
came to Monroe not long since, got off the train and looked about. Said he, “I
don’t like the looks of this place. The conditions around the station are not
very inviting. I don’t believe I can sell this town anything in my line.”
His goods were of
the highest class, so he boarded the train and passed on to a more attractive
place. First impressions are most lasting and the conditions around the station
are certainly not attractive to traveling salesmen, home seekers or
manufacturers. If we are asleep on the job there are other towns that are wide
awake.
There are a great
many towns in North Carolina no larger than ours that are more attractive, more
progressive, and new people are going there. There’s no reason why Monroe
couldn’t get in line. A little effort, a little time and some money spent in
the right way would put us right up with this class. Right here is where the
Chamber of Commerce is going to step in and do things. All hail to the Chamber
of Commerce! Long may it live; to be the greatest blessing in a material way
that Monroe has ever had. Every business man in town should be an active member
and do all in his power to lift Monroe out of the rut.
“The man who will
not lend his brains, his energy and some of his money to the efforts of his
fellow citizens in directing the constructive efforts of his fellow citizens in
directing the constructive forces of his community along the course that is
best for the city as a whole, is not a useful citizen. No man has the right to
refuse his support to a community movement any more than the community has the
right to refuse its protection to any man.”
A committee from
the Woman’s Club, with the major and an alderman, made a sanitary survey of the
city about two months ago and found the following very unsanitary places in
town.
A really dangerous
drain ditch about two feet deep near Mrs. Hargett’s residence in east Monroe.
Drains from bath tubs and sinks stagnating on Windsor street, Church street and
Hudson street. The surface closets and comfort conditions at the graded school
is a disgrace to any decent town. The burnt block on Main street, now being
used for a dumping ground and other various conditions calculated to cuase
malaria and other diseases.
Monroe is the only
city that bears the unusual distinction of having a guano warehouse right near
the square from which the most disgusting odors go out according to the course
of the wind.
It is said that
vagrant negro prostitutes walk our streets and congregate around the depot at
train time. Why is it our police force is inadequate or incompetent to cope
with this situation? These women ought to be locke dup or put to work; they
will injure the good name of our city.
The sanitary
conditions in some parts of our city are fearful. The stench that comes up from
the direction of Bryan street and around Central Methodist church is something
fearful.
We want to know
very emphatically why the aldermen don’t enforce the ordinance requiring
sewerage to e installed in the sewage zone. Numerous individuals had to spend
hundreds of dollars installing sewerage and certain favorites were allowed to
openly violate this ordinance. They were quietly granted immunity. This is an
injustice to those who have complied with the ordinance. Not only should the
others be forced to comply at once, but the sewerage zone should be still
farther extended so as to take in certain very unsanitary places in the city.
There are certain
streets that ought to be extended. Sanford street ought to be extended from
Lancaster avenue to the G.C. & N. railroad. Washington street ought to be
extended from from the cemetery to Crowell street. Crawford street ought to be
extended from New Lawn to the intersection of Windsore, Franklin and McCauley.
Burke extended to East Franklin and Houston to M.K. Lee’s.
We would suggest
that the city fathers cut expenses, quit wasting so much money and save some
for permanent streets and park work on a more economical and efficient scale.
We are going to
stick out for the conservation of our shade trees.
The main
thoroughfare, Hayne street, just back of the Sikes’ stable is blocked nearly
all the time. It is used as a blacksmith yard, a warehouse and storeroom. The
same street just across from the Methodist church is occupied by old wagons all
the year and Sunday too. There is a city ordinance against this.
It is a shame the
way the auctioneers, negro bands, emancipation crowds, voters and healers are
allowed to trample the lawn of our courthouse square. We insist on stopping it
and protecting our lawn.
The carnival,
consisting of an aggregation of gamblers, women of doubtful character and other
crooks, is very degrading. The Chautauqua, consisting of numerous valuable
lectures, very excellent musical entertainments and scientific teachings, is
very elevating. Hereafter the Women’s Club will vigorously oppose any effort to
bring the corrupting carnival to our town.
We have it on good
authority that some merchants are selling cigarettes to minors. We are going to
insist on some detective work and some prosecution in this matter. In fact, we
think the next Legislature ought to be petitioned to stop the sale of
cigarettes in Monroe and in Union county.
The ladies of the
woman’s Club suggest that all meetings of the city officials be made public and
be held in the court house so that all our citizens may have the opportunity to
attend in the interest of public questions.
No comments:
Post a Comment