Because they don't have to merge to move forward as Thistle, Caledonian (and Clach) apparently had to do so at that time.
I don't think we should be reducing the number of teams but I do think that we should look at restructuring the leagues and include a pyramid system.[/quote
Look at the ares of Fife as an example - it has 4 football teams, I know it will never happen but a merger of Dunfermline, Raith, East Fife, and Cowdenbeath would give a far stronger team a bigger support and 1 stadium to upkeep.
Dunfermline average attendance 3676 capacity 12558
Raith avarage attendance 1854 capacity
10104
East Fife average attendance 513 capacity 2000
Cowdenbeath average attendance 799 capacity 5268.
Information from http://stats.football365.co.uk/dom/SCO/D1/attend.html
That website also says that ICT's stadium has a capacity of 22199!