The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-04-07
THE INTELLIGENCER.
WHEELING. APRIL :, 1900.
Whu Not Greater Wheelingp

The comment OF the Parkersburg
state Journal that Wheeling has not
been able TO count more than $1,000 souls
within her boundaries for a number Of
vears past, while true, IS susceptible Of
adequate explanation. The Journal evil
IDENTIFY seeks 10 convey the idea that
wheeling is, and has been for number
OF years, virtually at a standstill This
is only so in measure. At the pres
ent time wheeling is enjoying as much
of the benefits Of the prosperity that
has been showered on the country as
any other community. The difficulty is
the census figures do not correctly rep
resent the Importance of the city in
this: that they do not take into consid-
Grafton the propinquIty of Bellaire,
West Wheeling, Kirkwood, Bridgeport
Aetnayille and Martins Ferry, Ohio;
Benwood In the nelghboring county OF
Marshall which is only separated from
Wheeling by an imaginary line. These
towns are all tributary to Wheeling in
a business way and practically form
one vast city to all intents and pur-
poses, as they are intimately connected
with Wheeling by one street car sys-
tenn. The population, therefore, Of
wheeling and its envirOns is really near
the 100000 mark, especially II we in
clude the people in close business and
social touch with the city
from Fulton to Elm Grove on the line
Of the Elm Grove electric railroad.
In accounting for the supposed stag
nation of the population OF Wheeling,
the explanation is found in the fact that
people are continually moving from its
geographical limits to suburban habi-
tations along the line of the Elm Grove
road, which is dotted with the homes OF
persons who do business in the city, for
a stretch Of six miles. This drain on
the census showing of Wheeling has
been going on for years. and is still pro-
crossing. OF course there is no way to
stop 1t. and the Intellisencer does not
offer the suggestion that 1t should
cease, but merely points out the causes
which contribute to the unjustifable
aspersion that the city Is afflicted with
dry rot, and that the stationary figures
Of her population show it to be retro
grading. There is plenty Of ground in
Wheeling on which to build. and the ne
cesslty for seeking open fields for habi-
tations will not be apparent for some
time to come. The rush to the country
IS inspired in most cases with desire
to escape taxation and reduce the
charges Of living. These results do not
always follow migration to the suburbs
What suggests itself at the present
time is the annexation OF some Of these
suburbs. or at least n reasonable extern
sion of the city limits so
that Wheeling may not always
be plodding along at the
$1,000 mark. There is no reason why
Fulton should not be Incorporated in
the city. Wheeling gives her water and
fire protection at small cost. That
town enjoys all the advantages OF the
city without bearing any OF It's bur
dens. When the towns OF South Wheel
ing and Rltchietown applied FOR water
privileges the council refused to grant
their request, and It was only few
months until they asked to be taken
into the city limits. which was done.
It will soon be time for the taking OF
the census.andof course the period Is too
short for nn effective Greater Wheeling
movement, but the IntellIgcncar be-
lleves II the subject were properly agi-
tated it would come to successful con-
clusion. and therefore offers the suggas-
ton without any prejudice or feeling
against those who are without her
gates yet enjoy all the advantages her
taxpayers afford them.