Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-17

Pittsburg has reached q critical point In
her career. She has finished one stage of
her progress, and is starting out upon
another. Old Pittsburg is behind; new
Pittsburg is before. Her past has been hon.
orable, full OF noble achievements in peace
and war, but the future promises to crown
her with still brighter laurels.
Planted as a bulwark on the western
range of civilization by men and women
who literally fought their way from the
cradle TO the grave, and who, therefore,
were imbued with large stock of utilitar-
ian ideas, to the exclusion of the ideal and
sentimental, it is not surprising that the
early institutions of the city were
framed with q view to foster the
practical concerns of life incident to
new community far removed from the centers
of fashion. They were pioneers, leading civili-
cation from the rising to the setting sun-from
Plymouth Rock to the Golden Gate-the proph-
cts, priests and warriors who acted part In
laying the foundations of an empire, which
has grown to be the admiration of the world,
and naturally fell into conservative habits and
modes of thinking. which led them to place
higher estimate upon the realistic than the
ideal. The present was everything to them.
They labored for their day and generation.
1t is possible that visions of great city,
springing from the struggling village which
they had planted at ''the forks OF the Ohio"
may have sometimes crossed the minds OF the
rude forefathers of this great center of life
and industry; but if So they gave no sign, but
kept on in their simple ways, content with the
rewards that fell to them, and leaving the
fruition of their tolls and priVations to be eni
joyed by their descendants. The result was
town without purpose or design in its building,
SO far as order and convenience were con-
cerned. Houses we're built before streets were
laid out, compelling them to be carried over
devious courses, winding in and out to avoid
distractions, and involving them in maze of
crookedness and uncertainty as to where
they began and ended, which has been the
wonder of every succeeding generation. 1t
may be urged that ''the lay of the land" was
against the builders and street makers of that
period but srlll it is clear that If they had paid
more attention to straight lines better results
would have been secured.
Thus handicapped, Pittsburg was slow in
breaking through the difficulties inherited
from the founders. but skill and perseverance
finally succeeded and she started out upon
new lines, radiating from the old town
in all directions filling the val-
Ieys and climbing the hills, planting her
industries and establishing homes for her peo-
pie as she enlarged her boundaries, until she
compelled recognition as one of the great cities
of the country-great in population, wealth and
intelligence, and first as manufacturing cen
ter. This is her position to-day. Her past is
secure. Blot her deeds from the annals of the
country, and there would be hiatus which
only the liveliest imagination could span. 1t
would eliminate from history, some of its
brightest and most glorious pages. What Of
the future7
Communities, like individuals, have their
GIBBS and fows-seasons of exultation and de-
pression-of prosperity and reverse. Pittsburg,
having emerged from the disadvantages of her
early environments, is preparing to take a
fresh start. The close conservatism Of her
founders has given place to a broader and more
aggressive policy. which is producing good re-
suits. Her light is no longer hid under q
bushel, but flashes out so as to be seen of all
men. Great natural advantages and resources
are being utilized and held out to attract popu-
1ation and capital, and with such success that
her growth is a matter Of surprise. Her COM
merclal importance keeps pace with her
growth. Her financial institutions are among
the most substantial in the coun-
try and they are backed up
by an industrial system so extensive and divers-
fed as not only to insure their permanency but
gradual enlargement to meet the exgencies of
the future.
The spirit Of progress Is not confined to any
particular class Of citizens, but pervades all
toilers as well as millionaires. A tour of the |
suburbs furnishes ample proof of this. Thou
sands of comfortable houses erected this year, !
and inhabited by men who turn iron and other |
raw materials into gold, demonstrate degree |
of prosperity of the bone and sinew Of the |
community which it would be vain to look for
elsewhere. The gift of splendid park by |
lady whose paternal ancestors bore a name |
that is still held in honorable remembrance in |
Pittsburg, the addition of many fine public |
and private buildings of the highest type of |
architecture, the introduction Of rapid transit |
to all the outlying districts, the building of |
railroads to afford better shipping facilities, |
the great demand for real estate whereon to |
establish homes, and activity in building, open |
up 3 field of possibilities which cannot be |
measured, and no doubt will jncite the commu- |
nifty to still greater efforts to make Pittsburg |
as great in fact as she is in name. Local pride |
having become excited, it is reasonable to ex- |
pect something bordering on the marvellous to |
show for it. population Of 200 COO within 20 |
years, or even less time. would not be sur
prising.
But while this result is being worked out, cit |
izens should not altogether cut loose from the |
customs of the fathers They should not forget |
to be safely conservative. There is danger in a |
sudden departure from an established policy |
unless caution be observed Wild speculation, |
land and other booms, have strewed the land |
with wreck. The desire to amass riches quickly |
has blighted many rosy prospect, and left |
ruin In its wake.
So far Pittsburg has been exceptionally free |
from these disorders: but in the progress of |