The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-16

The Government OF cities Is question Oh
Growing importance in this country, and "
ia bepinning to command attention IN
some proportion to its Importance Inc
number Of cities as well as OF persons liV'
inc in cities, has been ofgreat and constant
growth. In 1880 there were 20 cities in.
habited by SG4, 500 people, a sixteenth oil
the whole population; in 1910 II CITES
with ,453,994 inhabitants, twelfth oil me
population; in 1850 IS cities with 9s9LoSo
inhabitants, an eighth Of the population;
in 1850 l4l cities with 5,O79, 956 inhabitants,
II sixth Of the population; in 1870 99O cities
with SO7l,S75 inhabitants, little more
than fifth Of the population; in 1880 2So
cities with II ,3lS,547, 22,5 per cent OF the
population, still larger proportion but
NOT vet one.iourth. A city in the census
meaning contains not less than 5000 In
habitanIe.
The relative importance Of cities is shown
also in the taxes they pay and the debts
they create. A few figures Of immediate
home interes will be more readily grasped
aud appreciated than the bewildering
details for the whole country. One or two
general facts will be useful, however, for
comparative purposes. In 1880 the National
Government raised by taxation (custon s
and internal revenue) s3l0, 53l 900. Local
taxation, by which is meant taxation for
State, county, city and district purposes
all purposes not national-was $50, 2OO, GOO.
But taxation for these local purposes is an
increasing quantity, national taxes de-
creasing, and it is safe to say that for this
wear the difference will be in favor Of the
National Government, which already has
the advantage Of $l45, 900 surplus, not
distinguishing feature OF local treasury
accounts.
In the census year West Virginia raised
by State taxation $5Sl, 900; for county pur.
poses $1,000; for city, town, village and
school district purposes S7O0.O30. 1t will
be seen that the smallest political divisions
OF the State required more for their sup
port than the State Gov ernment required,
but the taxpayers Of any one OF them will
testify that its affairs did not receive pro.
portionate attention. Public interests in
public affairs seems to increase with the re-
moteness OF the governing body. The peo-
pie Of New York, Chicago or Wheeling will
take keener interest in the proceedings
Of Congress than in those Of their respec'
tive city legislatures; the larger the city the
greater the indifference to the city govern.
ment.
The debt feature is not less interesting.
In 1880 the debt OF the National Govern
ment was $, l20, 1850. The States and Ter
ritories owed for all purposes 81 POI $685. 600
Of which $l25. 62l 900 was county debt and
$7G6, 55i 900 city and town debt There is
much more concern about the twenty.one
hundred millions OF national debt than
about the twelve hundred millions Of local
debts, aud yet all Of the latter, interest and
principle, must be met by direct taxation.
We see, also, how this matter Of indebted.
ness affects us in West Virginia. In 1850
we had no State debt, but the county, city,
towns and school districts owed Sl,577,5C0,
and Of this SOL, 1872 was city aud town
debt. The cities OF West Virginia are not
many nor large, and do not require vast
systems OF public works.
The government which comes nearest to
twelve millions Of people-which makes so
great draughts upon their substance, and
which VIGOROUSLY is least Satisfactory in it's
general average, may well engage public
attention. Our own city government in
Wheeling is very far from what it should
be, and between this and the meeting Of
another Legislature it is worth our while
to consider what measures Of improve
ment may be advisable.