Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-21
THURSDAY. ...... MARCH q, 1870
Consolidation of cities.

Cincinnati has recently gained suit
In the Supreme Court OF Ohio when
will permit II TO extend its boundaries
and incorporate several suburban villages
Now Pittsburg has great scheme on
hand 10 enlarge it's limits.
One of the features OF this scheme IS
that while il proposes TO incorporate seve-
raj towns with Pittsburg 1t Will allow
those towns 10 collect and distribute
their own revenues.
IL Is as IL Manchester were made
part OF Richmond. yet were allowed to
preserve her present official corps, ana
continue the collection and disbursement
OF her revenue. AS yet we are not well
Informed as to the details of this plan,
nor whether such a one would be per-
MISSILE under the Virginia Constitution
OF course the aim OF Pittsburg Is 10
get a high standing for population she
finds that her consequence is now I'M
derrated and she wishes TO get even
with her business competitors
To such an extent Is consolidation go
ing on that those cities which fan TO
adopt IL will find themselves feartuily
bad of when the census OF 1900 IL TAKEN
They were bad enough Off after the cen
sus of 1880 was announced, but tha' was
rs nothing to what now seems In store
for them In 1900. Why. If Norfolk ana
Portsmouth and their suburbs should be
consolidated into one corporation, ana
Richmond should continue in her present
condition, we are not sure that Richmond
could any longer claim TO be 1.-THE largest
Virginia city, But, II consolidation
takes place at both places we should
easily keep our lead IL seems TO u.s.
however, that the businessmen Of Nor
folk are showing more interest in consoli-
dation thar we are. Notwithstanding the
fact that the Dispatch and other papers
here have published column after col
umn on the consolidation of Richmond
and Manchester. and Notwithstanding the
councils OF the two cities have APP
pointed n committee to consider the sub
ject. as yet there has not been the first
sign that our business people are inter-
esied. This is astonishing 1t may lead
our Council committee to the conclusion
that there is no great sentiment here
favoring onsolidation-which would be
m erroneous conclusion.
One of the chief reasons why we advo-
cate consolidation is that our business
men will profit by twill enjoy the salts
faction of seeing Richmond rated in popu-
lation with cities which are our great
competitors I'm business. Our business
men ought. therefore. TO take more in
terest in this question; that IS. if they
think that tho move is a good one.
There seems TO be some opposition in
Manchester to consolidation. The people
there ara not unit for IT, We recog-
nize the fact that we must do a good
deal of arguing and negotiating before
We shall be able to secure consolidation
on satisfactory terms. But our path will
be made very much palmer and this OPP
position will he more easily removed IL
our businessmen will but exhibit a
hearty Interest in consolidation. If there
IS anything that looks like holding OFF,
on the part OF Richmond people the task
Of the Annexation Committee will be
much more difficult than it will be other
wise.
That our businessmen do really favor
annexation We cannot but believe. But
they should let the world know that this
Is so. and the best way 10 do this is to
give To the annexation scheme open,
RctiVe. and enthusiastic support.