This Day in Norwood History-Talk Of The Town-August 19, 1904

These news items were the talk of the town on August 19, 1904

Grand Army visitors who have strayed into Norwood this week hate seen a town of exceedingly pretty and well-kept streets, set with beautiful shade trees. The general appearance of the town, though it might be improved in various ways, indicates thrift, comfort and prosperity.

Every other person you meet is talking of Norwood’s great need of a park. There never was a time, we believe, when there was a stronger undercurrent of genuine interest in this matter than there is at present. Anyone who has a general plan to propose for beginning a park scheme of some sort would, we believe, be pretty sure of a hearing at the present time. Of course the sewerage matter will have to receive first attention, but we believe that some consideration should be given the park scheme before many years are over.

It is gratifying to see that the agitation carried on in this paper against loafing on the sidewalks and street corners is bearing fruit. We have noticed lately on week-days, anil especially’ on Sundays, that the nuisance has greatly diminished in extent. The authorities should not grow weary in well doing in this matter. A by-law covering it should be adopted by the town, and proprietors of retail stores and owners of property should aid in every way in the enforcement of such an ordinance. It is a nuisance which cun be abated if earnest and aggressive work is done in the matter.

Whenever a boy or a child is placed under arrest for any offense whatever, a great outcry is raised by parents, friends and guardians against the police for doing their duty, and against the newspapers for publishing the facts in the ease The supposed principle that a child can do no wrong would be a very pretty and consoling thing if it were true, but reform schools and other like institutions are living testimonials to the fact that juvenile wickedness and depravity exist. The loyalty of a parent to a child, right or wrong, is a commendable thing when it does not interfere with an enforcement of the laws of the town, state and nation. It was not, however, the theory under which many of us older people were brought up. We were early taught to have some respect for those in authority. A spirit of lawlessness, of mob law and lynch law, has become too prominent in society in these days. Are not parents and guardians somewhat to blame for the too prevalent lawlessness which exists all over the country. We know of no town where these reflections will better apply than the town of Norwood.

It is gratifying to be assured that the Norwood telephone exchange now has a night operator who will attend to his business and give the town the kind of a night service which it ought to have. The need of a better night telephone service than the town has had for the past few years has been a crying one. We hope that the new man will prove the right man in the right place.

Noticing the profound quiet and good order which prevailed in Norwood square at about six o’clock last Sunday afternoon, we remarked to a friend that the great carnival of drunkenness, disorder, and debauchery, which certain orators at the adjourned annual town meeting in April depicted as existing in Norwood, did not seem to be materializing just now to any remarkable extent. Did those people really know what they were talking about? we asked. Our friend smiled sadly, and said he must really decline answering any conundrums until the fall months.

The great need of improving the properties just across Washington Street from St. Catherine’s church and parochial residence must appeal to everyone who has a sense of order, neatness, and beauty. We would repeat our suggestions of last week that the town does need a village improvement society.

UNCLAIMED LETTERS.

Unclaimed letters for the week ending August. 13, 1904:

Mr. Nelson Calbeck, 646 Washington Street.
Fred R Foss. 121 Vernon St.
Mr. Geo. Gee.
Mr. William May.
Mr. J.J.Rian.
John Russell, 929 Washington Street
Rufus Sumner.
Fred A. Wood. 154 Walpole Street

F. A. FALES,
Postmaster

(Originally published in the Norwood Advertiser and Review)