Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-10-26
GRAND RAPIDS AND CENTRAliA.
A Communication Containing Numerous
Suggestions for Proposed Consolidation

1t is announced that the people of
Centralia and Grand Rapids are to be
given an opportunity, in the near
future, to vote upon proposition to
unite the two cities in one, under a
common charter. That they should be
united as one city, has long been the
opinion of many good citizens; of
many who sincerely desire the pros
perlty Of the community as a whole,
and to that end would bring about the
earliest practicable development of
our best material resources. Former
discussion OF the subject has disclosed
the fact, however, that there have
been, i'll both cities, some who,if not alb
SolutelY hostile to such an union, were
unwilling to favor it, unless upon some
condition or conditions such as would
secure, or seem to secure, a permanent
advantage to one side over the other.
Such conditions, if insisted upon,
imply dstrust of the good faith of at
least one party to the proposed union.
The writer has long favored a union
of the two cities, and has long believed,
as he now does, that such union will
come, sooner or later. But he has also
believed, and still does, that such union
will be comparatively fruitless of sub
stantia1 good, until it shall be cousum-
mated in a mutual spirit of uncon-
ditional confidence and good will on
the part of the great ma jOritv of the
people of both sides of the river Ac-
cordingly, it is sincerely to be wished
that the present proposition to unite,
on the proposed basis of union, be
modified in two particulars, before the
same shall be submitted to a vote of the
people, as follows:
/. Strike out the words Central
Rapids" as the proposed name of the
future city, and insert, instead thereof,
provision that will enable the people
to vote their choice of names, between
"Centralia" and Grand Rapids. -
And
,. Strike out the provision locating
a proposed high school building.
And first, as to the name: The con-
solidated city should be named either
"Centralia" or Grand Rapids"
"Centralia" means something; sug-
gests the fact of our central location
in the state. Grand Rapids" means
good deal; suggests the fact that we
have here a superior water power. and
call that that fact implies" Both
cities are we'll and favorably known
in the state by their present names.
Grand Rapids is believed to be the
more appropriate name of the two;
but if not Grand Rapids" then let
the future city be called "Centralia."
No good reason whatever exists for
calling it Central Rapids" This
name means nothing; suggests moth
ing, as to who, or what, or where we
are. In the selection of Il name either
-. 4
of course be abandoned; but there is or
can be no good reason why both should
be abandoned. By all means let us
adhere to one or the other; and let the
people say which one.
SECOND: a high school building
should not be located until after the
proposed enlarged city shall be formed
and its boundaries fully known and
comprehended. 1t should then be
located by those upon whom that duty
will devo1ve-whether by the proper
school authorities, or by vote of the
people-with sole reference to the in
terests of the school and its patrons.
Many things are to be considered in
determining matter so important as
the location of a permanent higl
school building in a city covering
several miles of territory, ant
destined to be the home of many
thousands of people. That such loca
ton. when made, shall be where tht
best interests of the whole commuuit,
can be best served, is far more i'm
portant than that the interests O
caprces of few individuals shall b,
satisfied. or that the two communitie
be hurried into a union in form. be
fore they are prepared voluntarily t
unite in fact.