The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-08-15

.kpeetnt Cofft5pDBuetaee " hS EhtttHVe'SeF' r.
COLUMBUS, O., Aug. FL wish te
draw a comparison between the street
railway systems of Wheeling and ohio's
capital. The former you know to your
sorrow, the latter shall try to tell you
something about in the hope that II
will make you feel quite cheerful.
A year ago all cars in Columbus with
the exception Of short electric line,
were drawn by horses-a remark which
leads one to believe how much better
off Wheeling would be now were the
old horse cars still in operation. To
day, so far as l can see. not single
horse is used for this purpose. What
is the consequence? The system is
operated by electricity, and most
pleasing regularity Is the rule. Haven't
heard OF such a thing as the power
being "off,," although Of course there
must be accidents and stoppages once
in a while; but on the other hand the
power is usually ION" TO the extent OF
drawing the cars over the steepest
grades at the rate OF twelve miles an
hourl Doesn't it make you sorry you
don't live in Qolumbus2
Il is astonishing how the street car
traffic grows under proper conditions.
In these days OF hurry, time is a
precious thing to most men, and If they
can gain few minutes from their BUSH
ness by .taking car, they cheerfully
meet the expense, provided they are
reasonably certain they can reach their
destination at the desired time. When
in Washington City lew weeks ago |
was told that everybody rides there. and
it seemed actually to be the case; to
many, however, the expense becomes so
burdensome that they are obliged to
find cheaper means OF rapid transit and
SO invest in the ever popular bicycle.
In Columbus, which in almost every
way, but especially in regard to her
beautifully paved streets, is q slightly
smaller edition of Washington, the case
is much the same. People ride 80 easily
and quickly that they get out OF the
habit OF walking ;'the, street cars prosper
and the franchise is worth millions.
Wheeling is admirably adapted for q
street car system. A single line, or at
most two, will catch about all the travel
in the city, and the Martins Ferry line
will attend to the rest, and If we are
ever fortunate enough to secure rapidly
and regularity in running our cars, less
profanity on the part OF the general
( public and fatter pocket books on the
part Of the stockholders will be the rule.
. So little is said about the growth OF
Columbus that no one knows until he
comes here how rapidly the city Is i'm
proving. As Ihave drawn several conn
PARSONS between this place and my own
town, one more may not be out OF place.
In 1870 WAeeling's population was 22,-
600; that Of Columbus 81 900 In 1880
the figures were $1,000 and 10000. Co
lumbus is the second richest city in the
United States in proportion to popuIa-
ton, and Wheeling can't certainly be
far behind; in this respect they are
much the same, but in increase OF pop
ulation, in the erection of immense
buildings, in the attraction OF capital
and industries from foreign points, Co
lumbus has forged away ahead. AS a
feeler asked citizen this question the
other day: "What makes 80 great a
difference between the two cities~
"Ihe difference is this: Wheeling Ia
lust twenty.four miles from trunk
iine.n was the answer, which goes to
show that the gentleman is largely In
terested in the Pan-Handle; otherwise
the distance might have been reduced
some twenty miles. "The people are
wide-awake and progressive; their ad-
vance is not rapid, but 1t is OF the most
solid kind; yet go long as the town re-
mains outside of through line, lbs pro
gress from every point OF view will not
gain impetus. Let Wheeling secure
that important desideratum, and a
great change will follow"
One other point Of difference may
also be noted; the summer ''lay-otf," SC
familiar to Wheeling ears. is practically
unknown here; but then OF course the
conditions are somewhat dissimilar.
Railroad operations OF all kinds sup.
port population of 10000, and that
means almost continuous work for four
or five thousand men. The manutac.
lures are largely of the kind that
affords steady employment, and taking
Il allin all, Columbus is one OF the beat
cities in our. country for the working
I believe, however, that Wheeling'l
best days are before her, and that
future years will find her industries &C
diversified that q stoppage or strike IN
one branch OF manufacture will have
but little effect on the prosperity OF the
town at large.
Only one more comparison, Mr.. Edi-
tor: Wheeling Is q great beer.drink-
ing city, ditto Columbus. Wheeling
has Sunday laws which are enforced 10
about as poor manner as we can well
imagine; Columbus seems to have moth
ing Of the kind; hence the front door
is lust as good and ten times more CON
yenient than the side or back doors or
the first day Of the week. Many
might say a majority-of the grocert
have saloon attachments, and the
s'erowler" growls to an extent unheard
OF even In our bihulous city. The re.
suit is more drinking, perhaps, but II
seems to have its advantages, for the
saloon proper, with its treating and its
inevitable brawls, loses its prominence
The dfinker disposes Of his beer Of
home and that seems to be all there Il
OF It. Both cities are very, very badly
roverned, and here's hoping that the
near future will bring about great
change, especially in the West Virginia
matrOnoliR. j. u. H.