Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-30
OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

The estimates of the census returns for
Allegheny City place the population at
1850 This is even a more conservative
estimate than that placed on Pittsburg's
population, being an increase during the
past ten years of less than 40 per cent. 1t
is safe to predicate on this return the ad-
vance of the Northside municipality,t to the
second class of cities, and the politicians Of
that city are accordingly considering the
disposition of the Offices under the new
charter.
reorganization of the city government under
it raises anew the question whether the in
terests of the whole community would not best
be subserved by consolidation under one
government As will be seen by the inter-
views on this point, there is more disposition
to view such a project flvorably than was
ever before manifested. The general argu-
ment among Alleghenians against consolida-
tion has been the dread of increased taxation;
but people who own property IN both cities
are found to say that taxes on the Northside
are as high, il not higher, th an in Pittsburg.
One gentleman presents cogent argument
to the effect that the salaries for the new
city government in Allegheny would be
enough to pay the interest on Pittsburg's
debt and provide sinking fund for its e1-
tinction. The perception of the advantages
of consolidation has increased more rapidly
than the growth of population on the North
side.
But while considering the subject of con-
solidation, it is worth while to inquire
whether it is necessary to stop at taking in
Allegheny City. The New York papers, in
discussing the similar question for that city,
have great deal to say of "The Greater
New York" The greater Pittsburg in
cludes not only Allegheny City, but Brad
dock, McKeesport Verona, Sharpsburg, and
the suburban residences as far as Sewickley
in one direction and Mansfield in another.
Indeed, there is strong disposition to urge
the advantages of including the city and
county government under one organization,
as is done in Philadelphia and New York.
In that case the suggestion of a Northside
citizen as to the name under the consolida-
tion would become pertinent; and the city
and county of Allegheny, with its $50, 900 to
600, 900 population, could take Its proper
rank as the sixth city of the United States,
instead of leaving Pittsburg in its wholly
unjust position of thirteenth or fourteenth.
If the strictly agricultural parts of the
county should insist on retaining their in
dependence, the community which would
really include the industry and population
of Pittsburg would have for its corners Nc
Keesport, Verona, Sewickley and Mans
field. In that community a population
close to half million are supported by the
industries of our community. As it is,
cities with a population little more than
half that of this community rank above us
in the census.
The question is one which certainly de-
serves consideration. The expressions con-
cerning it, which sppear in our local
columns, show that the discussion of it
has produced more disposition in its favor
than heretofore. If the matter is fully
studied in all its bearings, we believe the
time will come when our community will
assert its real rank among the cities of the
nation,