The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-23
of >"rsorn aud ncrsio,.

Annexation of >"rIoiK aud GtcrsIc,.
NorroLH, Va. March 2lst. 1895.
Editor of the Nrgnian:
The annexation of the several towns
in tins locality into ono municipality
should receive the encouragement of
every person who has auy interest IN
this secuou. / do not understand whv
any one except the politiciaus) should
not give this subject their active sup.
port. since 1t has been so thoroughly
proven by numerous writer's that tue
advantages to be derived by consolidu-
tiCn are 80 very apparen, to cuch of the
towns concerned. The BROOKLYN cor.
respondent of lHE NoRroLK VlKaISlAN
III rtcent letter snys TINT the puliti-
clans OF both parties voted and worked
against auneXiDg that city to Now
\ ork. but the feature was 30 cunvinc-
ing to brooklyn interest that the ma.
Jority of voters favored nuueXation.
Portsmouth and Berkeley may have
the same experience. Politicians in
these places may think that they will
loose II chance To procure an office II
annexation to Norfolk Is elected, and
they Will no doubt enduavor to defeat
the measure solely on this account.
The material Interest of u community
is OF more Importance than the inter
est oi u few office seekers. 1t Is al uu-
deniablo fact that annexation would
give to Portsmouth and Berkley better
legislation and moro progressive views
than they have under their present re-
CLINE. Every man who owns real estate,
or transacts business i'll Portsmouth
and Berkeley would be benefited by
annexation. The 100, 900 people in this
Immediate locality, would then be gov
erned by the same Legislation ut IL cost
very much less TO the tax payers than
1t now costs TO support three municipal
ties,
Sectional sentiments have been
disastrous to us long enough.
Pride aud sentiment. like politicians,
should not be allowed to stand IN the
way when the material interest OF
community Is at stake. Do not the
masses seek the larger cities and is
property not worth more i'll large cities
than III small places? What would YOU
think OF II real estate owner who object
ed to have his property brought into
prominence and enhanced III value? If
Portsmouth aud Berkeley desire the dc
mnud for houses and building lots to
increase, anu their business affairs to
receive IN impetus, they will join hands
to make Norfolk u city OF 100. 900 popu-
lailon, 1t would not be very long be
fore We will add 30 per cent. additional
Increase to our population. Tho in.
crease will continue, and Just i'll pro-
portion 10 the Increase III our populu.
ton the real estnto will Increase in
value and business generally will in
crease.
Conditions similar TO ours have ex.
listed elsewhere, aud it Is fuct that
lands which were regarded at nomi
nn value were brought into promi
ncncc by annexation and tho owners
became wealthy. Is 1t likely that our
experience would differ from other 10
caiities that have invariably been brne
lifted by ann,xation? Berkeley will lind
IT too expensive 10 assume the cost OF IA
city government, but To become Il part
OF the city of Norfolk would he Ike
occupying place alrendy established
with good reputation and at IA small
expense, compared with charter OF ITS
own. Annexation would bring about
unity OF action and the petty differ
eeces would cease TO exist. Annexation
viii render more assistance ut less cost
than conid possibly be procured other.
wise. We are MI the same people, why
not confer together Tor the general
good OF thus entire section and make
one large Important city? The Norfolk
Counciis appointed "a committee some
time on annexation. What, nave they
done? w.