The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-08

buttons they have suggested. and con-
tInue 70 suggest. The politicians have
waxed fat in their seif-appointed Of
hces as regulators Of the economic af-
fairs Of the universe, and as might be
expected OF these who think more Of
the aesh-pota Of Egypt than the hard
ships OF the wilderness they are not
vet so far as the Red Sea on the way to
the promised land.
An occasional statesman or philoso-
pher has gotten his head above the
clouds Of prejudice sufficiently to get a
broad, comprehensive view Of the stu
alton and done what he could to ele7
vate the human race above the beasts
Of the field. So much for the theories
that look to the general betterment OF
mankind. All these must have their
practical working details and having
shown that this is to be nation of cit
les. let us see what. as practical. aver
age citizens, we can do towards max
ing our city life harmless, healthful and
happy. A recent magazine writer re-
marks: I'm contemporary civilization.
two great complimentary tendencies
are In operation; one Is bringing the
country into the town, and the other Is
CARRYING the town into the country"
This is not only true. but 1t in no way
contrudlcts my statement that the city
is growing ut the expense of the rural
districts. 1t simply emphasizes the
need for bringing whatever we can Of
the country into the town. 1t means
that those who can AFFORD It prefer the
country as a place of residence for
themselves and their families. but yet
carry on their vocagpns in the citico
and keep In touch with Its life. We
find no horny hands nor hnyseeds
among the country Twillghts, yet OF
such is the modern rural community
referred to by the writer quoted above.
A Mr.. ]. w. Martin. In the September
Harper. In an article on "a Cure for
City Corruption" starts out with this
sentences. I'm the United States 1t is
universally agreed that the city gov
ernments are the chief sores on the
body polite" This he makes plain,
even to the most doubling Thomas. and
then las many a better man has done)
goes on to suggest the remedies.
Among Others the formation OF clubs
for the improvement OF the homes, the
health and the happiness OF the poorer
classes. The city ownership of water,
light and street car franchises, and
with the surplus profits to inaugurate
public baths. large and small parks.
free music and other rational and Gull
tlvating entertainment for the masses.
AS to the question OF municipal owner
ship, shall not lntrude 1t here, as l
wish no side issues TO distract your
discussion from the main question.
Then admitting. as 1 think you Will,
that Wheeling is not altogether thing
OF beauty, either morally or physically,
we come to my text. some suggestions
for making glad the waste places about
Wheeling" What first put the thought
into my mind was the idea OF taking
the section Of Ninth street. between
Market and Chapiine. which by reason
Of It's rorty-ilye degree grade is en-
tIrely useless as street. and planting
It with trees to be bought and paid for
by those living In the vicinity. This,
found, met with the approval OF my
neighbors. and more than enough trees
could be had for the asking, Then It
occurred to me that the permission and
protection OF the city authorities would
be required to make 1t permanent and
practicable. In the meantime, I dis
cussed the matter with Robert Haz.
lett, in his capacity as q civil engineer,
and he thought so well OF 1t that he
succeeded in getting the other end Of
Ninth street. from Main street to the
Pan-HandIe railroad. condemned and
nm order was issued by the board OF
public works to erect Il retaining wall
next to the railroad and the space ded'
Icated to the purposes OF pHrk.
/ have Interested the city engineer,
Mr.. A. L. White, in my scheme, and had
ne the power TO carry It ont, 1t would
soon be an accomplished fact.
With this as starting point. I
made further search and exploration
and found that without the cost of a
penny for real estate. that the entire
city could he beuutIfed and the tired
mother and allInG child be made better
and happier. and at the same time
these eyesores. with their collection OF
rubbish. would be things OF the past as
from the ioathsome caterpillar springs
the bright and attractive butterfly.
with this as a beginning, soon dis
covered new worlds to conquer. and
having determined upon this paper !
| found It necessary to make hasty
survey or the whole situation, at such
times as opportunity offered from my
business
The first place to begin work OF this
kind. on anything like an extensive
scale. would naturally be the city
commons. extending from Seventh
street To Tenth, along the side and
tor OF Wheeling hill.
This comprises some forty acTes that
In It's present state Is Il disgrace 10 the
city, and standing reproach. as we'll
10 an advertisement OF our utter lack
Of civic pride. For miles up and down
The river the trnveler, by train or boat,
win receive his first Impression ~ our
city. by having his eyes greeted with
tho architectural splendora Of n ram
,ho,tyt, ,,,,,,,,,tov,, MA "a defunCf forth.