Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-14
THE LARGER PROBLEMS AHEAD.

The problem Of city government is occu-
pying more attention than usual this year
in the other cities of the State as well as in
Pittsburg. Here, the increase of valuations
and the enlarged demands of the Chiefs
of Departments compel attention sharply
to the subject. In Philadelphia the issue
is different. The people of that town have
awakened to the fact that Councils should
have men among their number capable of
planning and forwarding the citys manu-
featuring and mercantile development.
They want ''new Philadelphia a'-one
that will step forward in place of the
rather drowsy yet extensively governed
Philadelphia of the past. In. Williams
port too, there is an issue at stake. There
voters want the influence of partisanship
dropped, and elections for Councils on
strictly business basis.
The Williamsport idea is correct. Par
tisan politics of the nation or State are not
involved in city government, which, in its
chief aspect, is business undertaking un-
concerned with national and State issues.
The meeting of voters at the polls to elect
Councilmen should be regarded in as clear
stockholders of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, or other great undertakings, to
elect directors. The same principles
should guide1-but they will not so long as
the merely partisan idea iskept up. Phila-
delphia is so enthused over the "new
Philadelphia" idea that the Republican
organ, the Inquirer, advises voters to sup
port progressive and capable men regard
less whether they call themselves Repub-
hcans or Democrats.
In Pittsburg the question of partisan
ship does not count for much, as for sew
eral years the lines have not been drawn at
all between Republicans and Democrats
in their policy OF votes in Councils But
the other issue of getting progressive and
able men with ideas for the city's
advancement into Councils must some
day here, as in Philadelphia, count
for great deal more than it has
counted for up to the present. The
prosperity of cities is adversely or benef-
cially influenced by their government. 1t
is not merely that extravaganza can reach
the point of checking the business growth
of the place, but, on the other hand, it
may be a blunder of the worst sort
for city to refuse to cultivate
its opportunities. Pittsburg is nearing the
situation when it must consider these
things. 1t now spends nearly $4,000, 900
yearly. One-fGurth of that sum would
represent the annual interest on the $685.
000,0 900 needed to build the Erie Ship
Canal, whose immense benefits TO the city
need not be recited; or one-siXth of it
would meet the interest on capital to build
such trunk lire to the East as the South
Penn, opening up great tributary trade
for this place and benefiting shippers
enormously. OF course, Pittsburg as
city might find legal difficulties in back
ing such enterprises; but our object is to
show the great capacity for usefulness
represented by the great sum of money |
now contributed for the city government.
What the city could always do would be |
to encourage such enterprises; and if the |
citizens had the spirit to undertake them,
to help along by retrenchment in other |
things Manchester is building its ship !
canal; Cincinnati practically built the !
Southern Railroad to tap the South; Balti- |
more prospered by encouraging and aid |
ing the b. & o. Some day Pittsburg,
either through Councils or through repre- |
sentative business men, will have to con-
slider more than now how to develop manu-
factures and trade.