214 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Feb. 3,

The extension of our city boundaries—too long deferred—
is now an absolute requirement, of national, State and city
importance. The need is greater than it ever has been be-
fore. The suburbs of Baltimore on every side are thickly
settled. Many flourishing towns and villages are closely
adjacent to its limits. The benefits which these would de-
rive from annexation are unquestionably great, including all
the advantages of modern and symmetrical highways and
bridges, gas and water supplies, fire department, police
force, school system, etc. The State of Maryland owes it
to its principal city, that its limits should be proportionate
not only to its present needs, but also to its future promise,
that its suburbs should be equal to those of some of the cities
named, and to those of St. Louis, Cincinnati, San Francisco
and New Orleans. Must we stand still, while all others are
advancing, and hold a false position in national estimation?
As it is, many younger rivals bid fair to distance us, as some
already have done. At this rate of progress, Baltimore
would make but an indifferent showing in the proposed
National Centennial Census of 1875, recording and present-
ing in statistical tables the comparative growth of population
and relative advancement of cities at, the close of the first
century of our national life, which will fix their position for
years afterwards.

Any opposition to this movement, and almost every similar
work of improvement, has been bitterly' opposed—cannot be
regarded as other than narrow, illiberal and altogether self-
ish—lacking in a becoming State pride and interest in a
great city's advancement.

At present the surrounding portions of Baltimore county
shares in many of the advantages enjoyed by the city, with-
out any corresponding return. Our Public School system,
costing the city annually sixteen dollars per capita, has in
many instances educated the children of Baltimore county at
a cost of four dollars per annum to the parent, and free of
cost to the county. Our Fire Department, maintained by the
city at an annual expense of a quarter of a million of dollars,
has frequently rendered service in the same county. Our
Police Force, requiring an annual expenditure by the city
of over half a million dollars, are continaally obliged to aid
in preserving the peace in the county, sometimes at the ad-
ditional cost of life. These benefits should not be reaped by
those exempt from contributing to their maintenance. Again,
our water supply, already in great demand in the county, if
generally introduced, would have the effect of largely increas-
ing the value of suburban property. The introduction of gas
also, and the complete lighting of the suburban streets is
also a most desirable feature of the proposed annexation.