The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-02-09
Baltimore City Extension.

We have seen no convincing reason in the
Baltimore press why Baltimore city should be
allowed to extend its limits, and we cannot
Imagine why property owners in the Belt
would desire to be included in the city, if, in
deed, any considerable number do so desire.
The only interest the people of the counties
could have in the question of extension would
be in the matter of representation and the
absorbing of power by the city. 1t is true
that the constitution would have to be changed
TO give Baltimore more Senators and delegates
in the Legislature, but we are soon to have
new constitution, and if the city has the pow
er now to enlarge her borders she will have
sufficient power in the constitutional conven-
ton to secure greater representation. 10
secure greater representation in the Legsla-
ture and to exert greater influence IN the
state must be the real and true cause for
Baltimore desiring to enlarge her borders.
1t can hardly be that the city desires to take
in additional territory for the selfish reason
that taxation would be lightened and the
burden of the public debt of nearly forty mil
lions of dollars be made easier to carry. If
the latter is a consideration, the property
owners in the Belt would scarcely be willing
to exchange tax rate of sixty cents on the
500 for a rate of $3.50. There could be no
adequate return for the difference. The
Belt has gas, water, street cars, postal delive-
~, police protection, schools and fire depart
ment. They have all the advantages OF
these who live [acrosS the street, in the city,
at about one third the cost. Why should they
desire to be included?
1t is the growth and commercial impor-
lance of Baltimore that is at stake, say the
advocates of extension. How so? The pop
ulation is there, the varied industries are
there, the shipping and shipping interest are
there. just the same as if the whole popula-
ton. including Canton and the Belt, were
enumerated under the head of Baltimore.
Change of name of territory does not increase
its commercial importance. 1t might sound
better abroad if Baltimore had population
of four hundred thousand instead of three
hundred and fifty thousand. What effect
that would have is difficult to tell. If the
city offers Sucn advantages III uauo "HN
manufactures as will insure both, the matter
of population, we take it, would be unim-
portant.
As to greater representation in the Legs
lature and greater power and influence, which
would extend to all matters political, we
oppose Baltimore having any more. Public
sentiment there, as in all cities, is unsteady
and vasciliating, and itincreases as the popu-
lation increases. 1t has always been held
that IL rural population is the more conserva-
tive; more deeply interested in the public
welfare; more firmly rooted to the soil. For
these reasons cities are nowhere given repre-
sentation according to population, as is the
case with rural communities. Baltimore has
now three members of the Senate and eigh-
teen of the House. They generally present
a solid front, and when backed by the power
full influences the city can command, the
delegation is formidable. Let us let well
enough alone.