The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1893-01-26
HE FAvoRs CONSOLIDATION
Hon. j. @. Buxton Thinks Winston and
Salem Should Unite.

The proposition to consolidate Win
ston and Salem under the name of
"Winston- Salem" is finding a number
of supporters.
Among those who favor the plan is
Mr.. J. G. Buxton, president of the
First National bank. When asked
for his opinion, by a SENTINEL re-
porter, he said:
II favor consolidation but think a
| thorough canvass of both towns
should be made before an election is
held or the matter is taken up for
final action. | think we are lOOSing
| great deal in a commercial and bust
ness point of view by the two places
! having separate governments. Were
| we consolidated we would be claSSed
! the second city in the State in pOpu-
lation. Winston already is recognized
as first III the matter of business,
push and activity. 1t would also
make all our people pull stronger to-
gether and would enable us to make a
stronger bid for government Uuild-
ing"
Mr.. Buxton added that he liked the
proposed name as it was not too long.
.'Some of the Salem people say they
think their part of the name would
be dropped after awhile" said Mr..
Buxton ''This | think is mistaken
idea. There is as much probability
of the first one being dropped as the
latter, so far as that matter is con-
cerned. For my part they can call it
either Winston-Salem or Salem Win
ston.''
business men throughout the State
say our towns stand in their own
light by not coming together.
LAS is well known Salem has no bar
rooms. This is a matter that would
have to be considered. | should not
object were her present idea along this
line to prevail in case we were to be
united. Furthermore were the Salem
people to insist upon it L would favor
having no bar rooms put in the
charter
1.-The question of each towns debts
is another matter that would come up
for consideration. This, however,
could be arranged by each corporation
paying off her own debts made before
consolidation. My plan would be not
to consolidate before January l, 1888.
By that time each town would be able
to square up most of its business pre-
paratory for the union. | am frank
to say that unless the business men of
botlI places are willing to cooperate
in the proposed scheme it should never
be stirred up or agitated.
81 opposed the election held about
fourteen years ago on the ground that
it would injure the business Of Win
stor. l would oppose consolidation
again unless both names were pre-
served. 1t was then proposed to call
the place Salem. There were only
nine citizens in that town who voted
against consolidation then, if my
memory serves me correctly. Win
ston people voted mo- loudly. The
disadvantage to Winston then would
only have been temporary. We
would have gotten over it in money
and commercial point of view by this
time.
Were we to come together now the
wards would have to be extended
through both towns. By that means
we could get a Board of Aldermen
that would prove entirely acceptable
to the citizens of both places"
The reporter called on Mr.. James
A. Gray, cashier of the Wachovia
Bank, to get his views on consolida-
tion. While favoring the proposition
he said that he deemed it wise and
proper not to express himself fully on
the matter until after the committee,
appointed by the Chamber of Com
merce, had made its report.