Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-17
our LETTER BOX.
For Grenter Omaha.

For Greater Omaha.
SOUTH OMAHA, Dec. l4.-To the Editor
Of The Bee; My attention has been called
to a meeting to discuss the uniting of the
cities of Omaha and South Omaha, and
your report of the same No reason for
opposition to that union was given, save
the sentimental one OF the mayor OF the
smaller city. But on the other hand, there
are very important reasons why these two
cities should be united. and why such a
union would rebound TO the advantage of
both. 1 own property In both cities, but my
financial interests are mainly in the smaller
of the two, but ] am sure that a union
would enhance the value of both. Our Lord
said, What God hath Joined together, let
not man put asunder." God has Joined
these cities and it is better to recognize
this fact and put our strongest sanction
upon the union. The cities are one in
geographical relations. The division be-
tween the two rs but an imaginary line,
/ and no one OF us know exactly when we
| pass from one to the other. The difference
is less marked than that between two city
blocks. But what is more, their interests
are identical. and that which advances the
| good OF either, will also be an advantage
to the other Many of those engaged in
business or employed in one city live in
the other. The interests Of these cities are
mutual and reciprocal and this fact should
| always be recognized.
/ While South Omaha has some great ad-
| vantages, yet It is to be kept in mind that
South Omaha owes its existence to Omaha.
But for Omaha, the railways that converge
in that city, and It's consequent advantages
as a commercial center, South Omaha had
never existed save as a farm. The rela-
lions Of the latter to the former are those
Of child to its parent. and 1t seems like
flial ingratitude for South Omaha 10 figure
closely as TO temporary pecuniary ad-
| vantage, apparent in taxes or expenses. It
seems like son, already enriched by his
fathers estate and influence, begrudglng
the little the old man eats We never re-
sist the natural relations OF two such cities,
that We do not retard the progress OF both.
And we advance the interests Of both when
We do all possible to promote harmonious
relations and reciprocal advantages in the
recognition OF the natural and inevitable
unIon.
II was my privilege 10 be a citizen OF
Chicago, close upon the border OF the city
proper, when the union that occurred In
the year 1883 was consumnatsd. The same
arguments that are now presented her,
were used with far more ardor there, al
that time Never In the city has there beer
/ NAN~NN~tNAai
prevailed at that time. Many predicted
. disaster beyond estimate II the adjaeen
: territory were annexed to the city. LAX,
. View. with a population OF about 10000 a
the north; Cicero, nearly as large. upoI
the west; the Town Of Lake. embracing tn,
stock yards. and Englewood, southwest
and Hyde Park, with larger population
, upon the south were all Interested in IN
proposed absorption. Many OF the citizen
OF those suburbs were violent In their CD
: position. But the union. while promotlnl
, the interests OF Chicago. was OF far create
relative advantage 20 the annexed por
tons. While annexation was secured b.
small majorities In the interested suburbs
not one In ten in either OF them would nov
vote for a dissolution OF the bonds con
summated at that time. The great advan
tages OF this union are universally rec0g
= mixed and admitted. The same was tru
2 In the anneXing Of much OF the surroundln
. territory OF New York. The same result
d are now apparent God has united Oman
= and South Omaha and this union shout
:. b recognized at the earliest possible mo
mont ~ All concerned. Il wiz not onl