St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-15
TWIN CITY CONSOLIDATION.

TWIN CII1 CONSOulD A ItONs
1t is an old and infallible pr0verb
that where there is smoke there must be
fire; and thus we take it that, now there
is SO much discussion of the question
relating to the consolidation of the
Twin Cities, there must be Il sentiment
favorable to the movement. The topic
is not altogether d new one, and yet it
has never been presented to this people
of these two cities in the precise form
and with the full force that il is now
being presented. In the past it has been
wholly discussed as an uncertain, and
at best remote probability. To-day it
is being talked of as an event not only
possible of accomplishment within the
lifetime of this generation, but one
that commercial and other interests
make au absolute necessity. The eX-
preSSiOns of opinion on this subject
from those prominent in the various
business interests of the two cities
wers published in Yesterdays GLOBE,
and may be accepted as fair
portrayal of public sentiment respecting
the proposition to unite the Twin Cities
into one municipal organization. 1t will
be observed that, while there was quite
a variety OF opinions on the subject, and
in some cases a decided divergence OF
views as to the present eXpedieL cy of
adopting such course. there was but
little dissension of opinion as to the ul-
innate destiny OF the two cities.
1t will be furthermore observed that
the opposition 10 immediate union is
based largely on sentiment; yet some
very good reasons of business nature
have been advanced. That sentiment
should be fOrcible factor in this queS-
ton is readily understood when we re-
member that many of the men WHO are
discussing this question are the found
erS and the builders of these two cities.
Naturally enough. they are proud of
their achievement, and in each case
they would prefer to have the monu-
ment they have erected stand until
another generation shall come upon the
scene. There are those of them, too. who
think that the separate destinies of the
two cities are not yet fulfilled, and that
we should await the fullnesS of time
until the processes Of consolidation
should be inaugurated. They argue
that the twins should continue to grow
apart until the full stature of manhood
has been attained, and that then they
should embrace like two young giants
in the full possession Of their most Wig
orouS strength, going forth conquering
and to conquer under the banner of one
municipality.
On the other hand, there are those
who admit the force of the above argu-
ment, and yet believe that the urgencies
of the present are paramount to the pos
sibilities of the future, and therefore in
sist upon immediate union. They rea-
son that while the two cities can and
will continue to grow if they remain
apart, yet they can and will make
more rapid and more vigorous growth if
brought together. 0ld-time riva.ries
are dying out. which of itself is taken
to be all indication that there is more of
a community of interests than in the
former days. The laws of commercial
gravitatiun are bringing them til ther
in spite of sentiment and of Individual
interests. Then, too, those who advo-
cate consolidation find a substantial ar
gument in the menacing attitude Of
Chicago. which threatens to destroy our
commercial supremacy in order to re-
tain its own. The very fact that Chi
cagO's interests will be best subserved
by keeping the two cities apart, and by
keeping alive the fires of jealousy and
rivalry, is indeed strong plea in favor
of municipal union. In the face OF this
danger the people of the two cities are
very apt to recall the ancient proVerb
about there being strength in union,
and to realize that while united we are
sure to stand, yet if divided we may
possibly fall.
A gentleman of this city, who has seen
the development of both. says he re-
members the time when right here in
st. Paul there was more rivalry between
upper and lower town, aud tInged with
more bitterness than has ever been
exhibited between st. Paul and Min
neapOlis. And yet he has lived to
see it die out; and. perhaps, to-day not
oue-half of the population of the city
are aware that there was once such a
geographical division as upper and
lower town. All traces of bitterness
are gone. and those who once fought
each other are now standing shoulder to
shoulder, bound together by common
interests, ia the grand endeavor to
crown the city with metropolitan
honors. This same gentleman is now
an ardent and active consolidation
ist. and expresses the belief that he
will yet live to see the Twin Cities
marching under one banner 10 the
glorious dsstiny that awaits them.
But while this discussion goes on, and
it is interesting enough to absorb public
attention for good while to come, the
people of the two cities should not relax
efforts to forge each to the front. If
consolidation comes, it will come in the
order of natural evolution. In the
meantime, we can vastly improve our
industrial conditions by cuItivating
fraternal spirit, and by improving our
system of inter Urban transit. First of
all. we want better and cheaper eommu-
nicatiOn between the cities. When
10-eent fare will take person from one
city to the other, and train can be had
every ten minutes, we will begin to feel
that we are really pretty close neigh
bors.