Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 213, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1916 — HOME TOWN HELPS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOME TOWN HELPS

DESTROY BEAUTY OF CITY Card* and Placard* Have No Place in Street* of Any Well-Ordered Community. - Political ambitions are becoming so much an obstacle to civic beauty that the esthetic souls of many communities have been on the verge of rebellion for some time past. When a man becomes obsessed with a desire to shine in public life he announces his matchless virtues by means of flaring cards and placards. These cards are placed at every point where the human vision might be expected to dwell. Does one pause to enjoy the grandeur of a rural scene, he Is reminded from every tree and rock that “Smith Is the people’s choice for constable," or that “Jones' stands for the square deal.* The outrage is heightened by a series of homely visages showing the aspiring ones in various poses of vanity. Vandalism is a strong term, but id it too strong for such practices? The worst part is that it is perennial. The bounteous crop sown at election time Is permitted to remain the year around. By the time the elements have succeeded in destroying one crop, another has put in appearance. Cards may be found In any grove—the cards of men who have been politically dead for years. It may have been proved at the polls that the erstwhile “people’s choice” was not any one’s choice;, yet he must be regaled with the placards on every tree and eminence. Minneapolis, whose finer sensibUltj.es have been aroused, will have no more of this. Hereafter, candidates will have to proclaim their virtues in some other manner. Defacement of scenery by homely visages and trite slogans will be Inhibited by law. At an election now impending, most of the candidates have agreed to keep their placards out of public scenic places. Others are to be arrested. The example set by Minneapolis is a worthy one.—Portland Oregonian.