Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-20
ANXIOUS TO ANNEX,
Petitions for Consolidation of the
Twin Cities Well Signed.
ONE-RULE GOVERNMENT NEEDED.
Business Men of Allegheny Don't Give
Their City Good Credit.
IT'S A MATTER OF DOLLARS AND CENTS

Annexation petitions were again indus
triously circulated in Allegheny yesterday,
and. although there are many signers. there
is still a large conservative party that holds
aloof. The basis Of the last cry is on the in
creased taxes. Now that the city COVE rn-
ment is the same as In Pittsburg, and the
millage has been increased over five points,
the people who back the annexation idea
say they see no reason for keeping the river as
boundary of municipal rule. Most OF them
wear unwiiling1y the yoke of a second-class
city, but since they must have it they think
it is not necessary to have two city govern
ments. Others view the matter in business
light, and think that both cities would be
benefited. while still others believe Pitts
burg would oyershadow. her sister city, and
Allegheny would be lost sight of.
The plea of increased taxation as reason
for annexation is met by its enemies with
the fact that although the Allegheny mill
age is 13, the assessments over the river are
Tor only one-half the valuation, while Pitts
burg property is assessed at its full value.
Hence it would require tax levy Of 80
mills in Allegheny to equal the burden of
taxes in Pittsburg. The opposition also
claims that AIlegheny's increased millage
is due, not to her aseendancy to city of
the second class. but because the new gov
ernment will have to pay the debts con-
tracted while Allegheny was still in the
third class.
AMystery Yet to Be Unfolded.
In 1874 there was an act of Assembly
passed providing for submitting the ques-
tion to the people again No vote was taken,
and Just why appears to be buried with the
misty past.
George Shiras Ill. was not anxious to be
quoted upon the question of annexation. He
thought that there was deep seated feeling
across the river that all things being consid-
cred, the joining OF Allegheny to Pittsburg
would unquestionably be a mutual benefit.
Under the old charter" said Mr.. Shras 1.-The
people Of Allegheny were well satisfied with
their city government There was then no
particular reason why they should wish con-
solidation with Pittsburg. Taxes were lower,
and the government was fairly administered
There was ring, of course, but then its powers
did not allow it any great opportunity for doing
those things it should not do. Now that Alle-
gheny has become second-class city matters
have changed. While there are two cities in
government, in all other respects they are one.
Allegheny now. as a second-class city, has just
the same officers as Pittsburg. Instead of one
ring there is more likelihood of two Consoli-
dation might help both cities. We people who
live in Allegheny want good Streets good water |
works, and lots of other things. Could we get
them under consolidation?
las the two cities now stand, both are taxed to |
support separate systems, whereas, under con- |
solidation, it would only be necessary to have |
one government Two Mayors. two systems of |
street improvement, two systems of water |
works and two systems of police could be done |
away with by annexation. Personally l don't |
believe that Aleghe :. has its proper position |
as a mercantile city. My experience goes to |
shoS that people who live in Allegheny and |
travel always register from Pittsburg. Eastern |
business men know little or nothing about AL |
legheny. Youngstown is better known in the |
markets of the country.
Pittsburg Even a Greater Pittsburg.
''There is another point to be looked at All |
the cities of this country have been building |
up their population by annexing surrounding |
towns. SO that they may show up well in the |
census. PIttsburg would be greater Pitts |
burg by adding to it, first of ALL Allegheny. 1 |
believe that consolidation will do a great deal |
to build up the reputation of Pittsburg, and. as
q consequence, help Allegheny"
Mr.. Shiras said that while at the moment he |
could not recall the act of Assembly,
still he was satisfied that there was |
one under the provisions of which the
the question of annexation to a vote of the
people. Under that act there had been one
vote taken by the people OF Allegheny, and
years ago. Such vote taken to-day, be
might give different result
Both Messrs. Boggs and Buhl expressed |
themselves in favor of consolidation, provided
that there would follow better streets and bet
ter water works. Good city government was
what was wanted. and in order to have that
business men would not get in the way of an
nexation.
Daniel Welty. the carpet man, said that if
would help business he was in
favor of it. As a matter Of fact he thought it
would He had always taken a pride in ALLIE
when cOul0 |
delivered there in preference to Pittsburg he
had always done so. Annexation was matter
that should be carefully considered on both
sides.
Away back in 1867 the question of consolida-
tion of Allegheny with Pittsburg was SUBJ
mitted to q vote of the people 1t was defeated,
the vote being l67 in its favor, and 4,232
against the proposition. That was the first and