St. Paul daily globe., 1888-02-19
On the Important Subject of
the Amalgamation Of the
Famous Twin Cities.
How Minneapolis Regards a
Union With Her Down
the-River Sister.
A Community Of Interest Is
Generally Conceded With
out Hesitation,
It Is Held that the Generous
Rivalry Is the Life Blood
Of Both the Cities.

The agitation Of the past week of the
subject of the union of the Twin Cities,
commercially and otherwise, ,uponsplans
not yet determined, has shown at least
one admirable and cOmmendable fact:
The bitterness of feeling has gone.
Each city now alludes to the other in
friendly, kindly, even sisterly spirit.
The envy, malice and jealousy of a few
years ago have been sin the deep bosom
of the ocean buried" Whatever may
be the result of the present negotiations
this one fact stands out clearly and
brightly. AS to the union itself,
there are differences of opinion
in Minneapolis. A commercial
union is desired by all, corporate
union by few. There have been no plans
suggested, and to many there are insup-
cradle objections to an actual and COM
plete union. All agree that it would re-
quire vast legislation to unite and recon-
cile the two municipal and county sys-
TENS, the courts, the recording and tax
!eyying and collecting systems, and this
is the principal objection encountered.
point is that the generous, wholesome
rivalry between the cities is the
life blood of both, and to end
it would be to deprive them of
their principal stimulus. These,
however, are heartily in favo rof
the GLOBES suggestion of dual city
advisory board, which would provide
for the common defense and promote
the general welfare. There are some,
and prominent men, too, who favor the
complete union sch eme, without reSer-
walton, while many are ION the fence"
awaiting furthersdevelopmen The
GLOBE has gathered some Minneapolis
opinions and presents them as straws to
show the direction OF the wind of public
sentiment.
Vice President Greenleaf, Chamber of
Commerce. do not think such scheme
practical in any way. The conditions
of the two cities are so different. Why,
the sewer systems are different. also
think the friendly rivalry that has al.
ways existed between them has greatly
forwarded their interests. Let well
enough be.
Mr.. Martin, of Wyman & Martin-By
all means make 'em one city. Great
benefit would be derived from the
union, and especially would it greatly
lessen municipal expenses. Yes, Pm in
favor OF it.
S. S. Cargill-I favor the union by all
means. think it would greatly i'm
prove every commercial interest and cut
down expenses in many ways.
l.. S. Seaver-The idea seems pre-
posterous to me. There is nothing in
common between the cities, nor does it
seem possible or sensible to want to
unite two towns ten miles apart. Now
if it was only one mile it would be diff
ferent.
G. G. Wolcott - Well, I think the
scheme too previous for anything. 1t
will be time enough when they run into
one another to talk of union. Mean
while, let us have lots of rivalry; the
more the merrier. That's what doomed
them both, so we mustn't throw good
thing away.
D. G. MOak-I have thought but little
on the subject, but there doesn't seem to
me to be much sense in union, They
are two healthy babies and each can
take care of itself.
Mr.. Bassett, of Bassett & Commons
Well, you see | am quite a newcomer
here and merely speak ON the outside.
I would say it is best to let things be as
they are. Nor do l see any satisfactory
outlook at all in this joining plan be-
yOnd making Splurge with census re-
ports.
Max Yerxa-I am enthusiastic over
the idea of union. / earnestly trust
they will accomplish it as soon as posi-
bic, feeling sure it would be for our
mutual benefit.
George Shepard-Yes, I favor the
union idea, because in a commercial
and railroad way | believe it would
rIy for f1,n int Of
Cities.
Charles Handy-In my opinion the
union of Minneapolis and st. Paul is
impractical, owing to the distance be-
tween the two cities, and the interests
of the two cities are not of the same
nature. Each IS amply able to take care
of itself.
Sheriff P. P. Swenson-There would
surely be nothing to gain for Minneap-
oils in having the two cities united. All
the advantages are on the side of the
city down the river, which is falling so
far behind in the race, if they want to
unite with us they must make all the
concessions, but you will find that they
will expect us to make the concessions,
although we have nothing to gain from
the union, for we are now so much
larger and do so much more business
than they do that we will soon have all
their large business houses over here,
union or no union.
l.. A. Condit-The union of the two
cities is all right. 1t is the proper thing
to do. and we can't get at it any too
soon. But st. Paul must agree to come
in just as st. Anthony did, under the
name of Minneapolis, and give up all
her city institutions. / have never
heard of the consolidation of two cities
where the smaller one did not give up
to the larger one. Minneapolis has be-
tween $4,000 or 10000 more people than
st. Paul, and is away ahead in all kinds
of business, and the only advantage to
that ss gained the & g. tfs Paul union peopis is
can can then @ live in growing town town.
We should settle this matter at once,
for if st. Paul wants to join Minneapolis
we will have to make some changes in
our new court house, city hall and post
office, for all the public buildings in st.
Paul will be closed the same as they
were in st. Anthony when that city
united with us.
e. III. Petit was found in his private
Office in a very pleasant mood. When
asked as to his ideas upon the topic, he
said: "There is no possible chance for
such tremendous strike as this to be
made at present, and it probably will be
some years before the cities will ever be
under The same government. 1t is quite
likely that wonderful increase would
result to the business community of both
cities if there could be some plan de-
viSed to consolidate the business inter-
ests and have everything in harmony,