The New York herald., 1870-12-27
ANNEXATION.
Agitation on the Subject in
Westchester County.
How the People Feel-How the Leaders
Talk-What the Towns Need and May
Gain by Joining the Metropolis
Report Against the Project
Scneme for q New City.

Inc at present all absorbing subject OF annexation
TO New York, HERALD representative has within
the past few days made tour or the several towns
which IL mas been proposed TO annex, and during
interviews with some OF the leading property
owners in those latter obtained the following In.
formation, from which may be gathered q tolerably
accurate renex OF the desires hopes and fears now
commencing to animate the taXpaying population In
the section named:-
Commencing with Ycnkers which ranks drst In
wealth, population and progrcssiveness the writer
called upon Ethan Flagg. gentleman largely
identified with the interests OF that town. aud who
from an extended olricial connection with county
Affairs, is regarded OF the chief representa-
tive men in his vicinity. On Deng asked what was
thought OF the annexation project Mr.. Flagg re.
phed, ut is new subject, sir, and the people
hardly know how 10 regard II until they learn what
advantages the government OF New York intends
10 give them.
WHAT YoNKERs WANTS.
the citizens OF Yonkers want public water works.
We have an abundance OF water. but 1t is not
available for either domestic or public use.
ii we had proper system Of water works, such
supply New York, 1t would not only administer TO
want now almost Universally felt In our domes-
tic life, but ALSO by furnishing steam power an d
water for manufacturing purposes, would contribute
materially TO the prosperity OF this rapidly growing
village. An adequate supply OF water Is our chief
want, and 1t proves serious obstacle 10 our pro-
gress. The sewers now being built In some OF cur
streets often prove quite offensive, owing to the
absence OF this important element. Again, the peo-
pie desire an efficient police force similar 10 that
in the city. believe II we could have as reliable a
body OF men those now dong duty here, under a
competent and comprehensive head the citizens
would be perfectly satisfied. The people also want
a compendous and uniform method OF laying out
opening and working streets In the town
they eager to see inaugurated unlted
and comprehensive system managed and d.
rected by a competent head. AT present we
have no system, the matter OF streets and
highways being under tie divided control OF village
authorities, trustees commissioners OF highways and
special commissioners appointed by the Legislature,
and, as consequence, the people look IN vain Tor
agreement Of action or uniformity OF design. be.
lieve have now stated the three principal wants OF
our people. Last year there was bl introduced In
the Legislature TO incorporate The whole town or
Yonkers into city, but account of objections
raised by parties living outside OF the village
not pressed.o
THE FEELING IN yoNEERs.
RRPoRTER-As far as You have been able to aseer-
tain what IL the general feeling OF the people OF
Yonkers on lne subject OF annexation 10 New
Yorkf
MIR. FLAGG-They do not know what TO think Ofit,
not knowing the nature or designs OF the propo ed
scheme. AL! the Information they possess IN regard
to the matter is tnat bill has been drawn up
presentation 10 the Legislature looking to the con.
summation OF the project indicated. Many OF them
are opposed 10 the idea OF allowing the control
their local affairs to pass into the hands of the New
YORK city government haviaa but little faith in the
integrity OF those who compose II. Several Of Inc
property holders south OF the village aid IN proX-
1ty TO New ork, on the contrary, say thai IL they
TO be brought into city NJ all they would pre-.
fer entrusting their interests 10 the city OF New
York rather than TO the "City OF fonkers," but 1
think at present their desire is TO be Lett as they
are. The citizens Of Ysnkers are progressive and
enterprlsng people; they cannoJ-nor do they wish
to-close their gates against the cyercrowded in-
habitants Of New York; -.
G. qbfY are Il FAVOR OF IMPROVEMENTS,
and will cheerfuy pay for them; but they want
the worth OF their money, and this desdera-
tum can only be attained through q muul-
cipal government, energetieally, honestly and
economically administered. Those who openly
oppose annexation dread the thought Of being,
as 1t were, completely Observation-Disclosures,
influence, identity and abby the city OF New York.
They also to think that their taxes viii be in
creased enormously. Perhaps the desire on the
part of many to remain they are may be accounted
for by the circumstance that a large number or
wealthy business men have settled down Ia quiet
suburban homes, and while conscious ot hayiEg all
the domestic comforts that taste may suggest aud
aiuence provide do not ike the thought OF being In
any way disturbed.
REPoRTER-Do you not think that annexation 10
New YORK would supply those wants which you
have already stated are chiefly felt by this con-
munlty2
Mr.. FLAeG-For my own part believe II would:
but think a majority OF the people would prefer TO
have them independent OF New YORK If they could
obtain them. Indeed, do rot believe that there is
any considerable number OF our people who would
favor annexation per SO.
REPoRTRR-Is not the ultimate absorption OF This
town by the metropolis regarded by many Of the
property owners as InevitabeS
ULTIMATE ASNEXATION INEVITABLE.
Mr.. FLAGG-Such is my belief. We can no more
prevent the absorption OF this territory by New
York than we could arrest the current OF the
Niagara. In fact IL might he said that the process
OF absorption has already commenced, as the popu
lation IN the lower part OF our town has, within the
past few years, increased 10 greater extent than
in any oIner portion OF the metropolitan suburbs
excepting Brooklyn and Jersey City. Since IL Is
evident tnaJ the principal avenues IN New York
will be continued across the Harlem river aud Spuy
ten Duyvil creek IL ls highly essential that the Iay
should be effected in conformity herewith. and II
there is not some comprehensive system adopted
now the result must entail vast amount
Of expense in the fuiure Already that
section OF town comprising Riverdale,
Spuyten Duyvil and MoSholu, is controlled by The
Central PARK Commissioners, under whose Jlrec-
ton streets being laid out, general improve
nents effected and Typographical survey made OF
the district in order to meet the cost OF these I'M
provements the last Legislature authorized the
raising Of Of $50 900 on property IN the section
controlled by The Commissioners. $4,000 o which
war raised during the last year, and aN oil $4,000
IL levied for the present year leaving $4,000 yet
uncalled for.
REpoRTBR--How do you. individually regard The
question OF annexationf
Mr.. FLAGG--Athough not committed against the
measure, II was called upon 10 votc on the ques-
ton Tins morning would probably vote against II;
bnt cannst say how would act If the project was
mtellgently and iairly brought before me.
IL should here be stated that subsequent TO the
above interview the wl4ler. during conversation
with gentleman residing In the vicinity OF Kings
bridge, was assured by him THAI, with scarcely an
exception the property owners IN his section were
heartily In rayor OF annexation TO New York. one
OF the principal reasons he assigned for the desired
Change that the value OF real estate
m Harlem