New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
AT 1T AGAIN.


last dav of this present week of grace regards
with impartial interest every project for the
consolidation of other municipalities. For the
moment and not for the first time ny any
means 81. Paul and Minneapolis that is TO
say Minneapolis and ST. Paul-occupy the held
of observation. Last Monday II resolution was
laid before the 81. Paul Chamber of commerce
EXPRESSING the opinion that the right time has
now come for a serious movement directed TO
the organic union of Minnesota's engaging
twins. already Joined in superficial manner by
n thin line of habitations between their out
skirts, and proposing that the minneapolis
Board of Trade be invited 10 appoint com
mittee of ten to discuss the proposition with
similar committee of the 81. Paul Chamber.
Feeling a general concern for the welfare or
the whole country, and being peculiarly solicit
tous for the prosperity and happiness Of com
munities to which the manifest destiny argu-
ment may be supposed TO appeal. we have nau-
rally consulted the leading newspapers OF Min
neapolis and 81. Paul for the purpose of ascer-
tanning their views on the subject of consolida-
ton. To our surprise we have found that they
are in substantial agreement as to the main
question though on one side the proposal is ex-
amined with evident apprehension and on the
other with an approach 10 levity.
1.-The St. Paul Pioneer Press opens the dis
cussion with the remarkable and seemingly in
opportune statement that it knows of no good
reason for the breaking out OF fresh war he
tween 81. Paul and Minneapolis. 70 the dis
tant observer it will appear that our contempt
rary has misunderstood the proposition; but
this is not the fact. for it goes on 10 say that
suggestion Of municipal union has always
been the signal for an outbreak of hostiliiies,
and that the present revival Of the project
threatens another fierce and sanguinary battle
between the two cities. which would be most
deplorablp. inasmuch as each is now doing
satisfactory business at the old stand, and they
are getting along together in an amlcabe and
comfortable manner. THE Pioneer Press fur
thermore declares that the more the scheme Is
discussed the more impractcable it VIII prove
to be; that their mutual rivalry. 50 long as II
"s confined to the proper limits Of intorurban
Comfy. is help 80 both rather than Il harm
"to either; that socially md politically they are
dissimilar organisms. and that they are in
capable of being fused Into enc individual
''ity" 1t adds that the proposed conference
might serve a useful purpose by concerning
plans of mutual cooperation for the common
benefit. and closes with the expression Of a
hope that ''the flag of peace and union" just
hung ont may not prove n p0rtcnt of m i'm
pending fracaS" SO much for public sentiment
in st. Panl, which we assume TO be fairly repro
scented by THE Pioneer Press" II should be
noted that the tone. though solemn. Is friendly.
that the wlthers OF Minneapolis are unwrung
and, in fact, that not a word is said which could
be tortured into provocaton OF the war which
is predicted and deplored
As we have intlmated "Tho Minneapolis Trlb-
une' approaches the subject in a different spirit
It's mood, II not exactly hlppant. Is rather airy.
and, though II proClaims peace and goodwill. we
seem 10 detect In It's remarks a suggestion of
conscious superiority Like its 81 Paul neigh
Dor II thinks that present conditions are not
favorable 10 consolidation and that there is no
occasion for haste hut It comedies that con
solidaton may be practicable and desirable at
some time hereafter. All this is quite rea son
able and proper. but just here The Tribune
made the serious mistake Of going on instead of
stopping. With a reckless disregard of conse-
quenccs 1t not only takes mp the dangerous prob
lem of a name for the possible city Of the future
but lays this train Of fire TO the pOwdcr-house:
"FOllOwng the example OF the Eastern mctropo-
Ills, we might adopt the name of Greater Min
"neapolis. St. Paul could be organized as the
borough Of -. Paul and its municipal rela-
'tions 10 the big city carefully defined" Pass
ing over the lamentable condition of ignorance
from which proceeds the monstrous error that
the name Of the second city OF the world Is 10
he anything else than NewYork. and barely
abiding TO the fact that PaulOpos Is a euphoni-
Gus combination Of two linguisticaly kindred
words, we do not hesitate 10 say that The
Minneapolis Tribune" abundantly 1ustnes the
melancholy apprehenslons of "The St Paul
Pioneer Press" The next gale which sweeps
from the Northwest will bring to our ears the
clash Of resOunding arms