Year: 1871

The Proposed Enlargement Of tht


Municipal Boundaries. ~.


In another column may be found TIT
full report Of the Joint special committee
on the subject of extending the city Limits
by the annexation of South Wheeling ami
certain territory north and east of the city
submitted to council Tuesday night, 1
will be seen that the proposition has
grown good deal since 1t was first pro
posed some months ago to annex South
Wheeling. The drail ol q proposed
amendment to the charter reported BY
the committee shows that the new line
would start from a point on the river
above the Top Mil, would include Fulton
a large part ofthe steenrod farm, running
up the creek to the steenrod bridge, ant
running thence south.casterly across tht
hills to the Marshall county line, ant
would include large scope Of territory
not now within the city limits.


The considerations involved in this
proposition areimportant We giveprom
inence to. this report in order that II
may be generally understood what the
proposition Is, SO that all interested may
have an opportunity, II they wish, TO lay
before Council such facts and sugges'
tIons as they may deem important before
final action Is taken.


1t Is to be considered, first whether
those whom 1t is proposed to bring within
the municipal lines, and subject to muni'
cipal taxation, arc desirous or willing tc
come. So far as heard from, we under
stand they protest against II, cast aud
north Of the city, on the ground that they
would be saddled with the city taxation
without any compcnsatIng advantages
Next, whether, II unwilling, they should
be brought In and subjected TO municipal
regulations and taxation against their pro,
test Then, whether in any event the
city consults her own interest IN
the annexation, Some gentlemen think
It will cost the city more than II
will come TO, to bring in the territory tC
the north and east, on account Of the cost
ofkecping up the extension Of Main street
and the mile or so Of National Road thai
will then be included. It may be added
that the road around the hillside to the
Peninsula Cemetery will then bea child
ofthe city md demand immediate and
constant attention. The next thing, We
suppose, would be the grading Of Fultol
street and bridge TO the cemetery, and
another thence to the National road
These arc improvements much needed
but whether 1t Is best for the city at once
to assume the pressure Of them by the
proposed annexation, or leave them where
they are and seek to divide the burden
with the county, is worth considering.


South Wheeling and Labcllc are de-
sirOus, as itappears, Of coming in. Tho stGr
in their case Is a natural and sooner ohlatel
inevitable one, for in that direction, Il Al
all, the city must spread. Their situation
and the terms on which they propose tC
be annexed, would afford them great and
immediate advantages. Perhaps for d
time they would gekmHcli more from the
connection than they would give; but II
is their manifest destiny to become part
Of the city, and we judge the time has
about arrived for their absorption.


We have no preferences to urge in re.
gard to this measure; but It Is one of too
much importance, both as to the princi.
pies and consequences involved, to be
hastily or inconsiderately pushed through.
II should be generally canvassed and uh.
derstood before It Is consummatcd; so
that noinjury or injustice which can be
avoided may be done either To the city Or
to those whom 1t Is proposed to bring
within her Jurisdiction.


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