New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-28
A MUNICIPAL PROBLEM.
THE ANNEXATION OF WESTMINSTER
COUNTY.


WEsTCHESTER NEEDED--REAL ESTATE LlhELi
TO ADVANCE IN VALUE.
ioint committee of the citizens OF Nor
ri,ana and West Farms appointed few weeks ago
nv those towns 70 and draw up plan OF anne1a-
zion which they propose 70 submit TO the next Legsa
ture. Their work, which will soon be perfected VIII
he submitted 70 people for their approva its gen.
aral propositions will he known until to-day, but In
view OF the that the whole Of the eastern towns OF
wAstchester County have years been in favor OF
their formal as wen their practical absorption In this
municipality, the character of the Recommendations
need not be doubted.
On the eastern side Of the county the proposition OF
annexation is as favorably received The citizens OF the
southern portion Of the town OF Yonkers who have
found themselves burdened by the government OF fon
kers city, as well that Of the town. thus having eIer
oised over them dual government In many particulars
conflicting and antagonStic have voted for separation
and incorporation into q separate municipality as
refuge but have expressed themselves as anxious TO De-
como annexed to this city certain release from their
Af ACTIONS Numerous other measures are being taben
in other localities for the end and general feeling
manifested throughout the county on the subject me
thousands who pour into NevYork every morning fom
Mott Haven MelrOse MorrsaDis and Westehester
towns prove that this city the center toward
which the inhabitants Of theladoning settlements natu-
rally grayate The majority Of persons living IN these
localities do business in NewYork aud the population
OF this city cannot therefore, be taken Oy the
who merely goes from house TO mouse
obtaining the names Of the occupants but should be
rather collected from the great number OF persons
whose paramount interests oentered in the city, but
who live outside OF this municipality. The relation OF
these places TO city their ultimate connection
with IL are recognized by their inhabitants and meas
ures are being taken TO form single. and homogeneous
government Of those communities who are divided only
by narrow rivers invisible boundary lines The VII
lagos wh!cb comprise the towns Of West Farms, Nor
rsania westchester and that part Of YOnkers lying
south Of the city OF Yonkers proper, are thicky
populated, and are united only by continuous
rows Of dwellings, and divided only by unseen lines
drawn through the centers Of settlements which are
Identical interests The projects OF the tunnel
and suspension bridge the Harlem River affect the
interests of the properyowners in all these towns and
the necessity for legislation which viii unite them
under one government is recognized so universally that
action will probably be taken by the next Legislature 10
consolidate by settlements which as the pro
gress Of has Enthusiastically Indicated shond
be united without delay the villages have increased
In size the want OF water conducted from some common
reservoir become apparent and that can De Obtained
in one OF only two ways; either by annexation 10 tnl
city or incorporation into separate city, the aubori
ties Of which shall take measures 10 provide LOT tn'
wants OF the community.
THE WATER SUPPLY SUFFICIENT.
Gen. Geo. S. Greene was some time ago consntes FOL
the purpose Of asceraning whether after providing an
adequate supply of water for this city, sufficient guam
could be obtained from the CrOtOD RIVER
for the supply OF the lower part Of Weschester County
or whether other Of supply must be sought Tue
reply Of Gen Greene shows that the CrotOn River and
its watershed in connection with nearer sources OF sup
ply may be utilized TO afford an amply supply OF
pure and wholesome water for than 100000 Of
Aons. This makes account OF the excessive waste,
which increasing every year. considers the dimn-
ished supply which would result from pro-
longed drouth. 1t Is therefore considered by some
extremely doubtful whether the supply Of
water that be drawn through the Croton Aqueduc
will be more this city with its present limits will
ultimately require under igd rules prevent waste
1t urged that the hight of much Of the land the
southern portion of Westchester County is too great TO
admit Of deriving supplies from the Croton Aqueduct;
but udcious ARRANGEMENT Of the means and revenues
unused that county. combined with the use OF
such portions Of the surplus OF the Croton as the season
might afford would be productive Of immediate benefit
property both sides of the river and would rapidly
hasten its occupancy 1t stated that only the Bronx
and Saw Mill Rivers available for the supply Of
these villages, and that these should
be secured early period possible, and before the
OF these occupied with establishments
that will pOllute the waters and render the streams
unit for except at the great cost Of buying of this
class Of occupants The question Of supplying this city
with pure water first sgitated in 1884, and various
projects subsequently entertained and discussed
hut II was half century later-Is4-when the Croton
water was finally introduced. At the same rate Of
progress ia supplying the villages OF southern Westches
ger County, which have larger population than New
Y4tk had in 1890. they will be without pure water until
and it urged that II the work should be begun at
once AID the burden borne by the villages singy or
collectively the cost Of carrying out the PROJECT to say
nothing OF the difficulty Of obtaining the necessary
amount OF funds 81 the sale Of bonds would overwhem
the propefyovners with acad Of debt from which they
could not recover and that annexation TO this city.
which will relieve them Of all taxation except their pro-
portiOnae share Of the burden is the only remedy.
VARIOUS Plans rOn AsSEhA =, s.,,n. ,,..o
.eparate villages united under one government various
plans have been proposed concerning the praccabty
hreof Great diversity Of opinion exists. One plan is
IN annex all these Westchester villages 10 this city, re-
g.rdn them as upper wards Of the metropolis Another
"a ~ incorporate them into separate city like Brookyn'
Jersey City or Newark Another Is 10 form them lnto
sepzrte townships while the last plan 10 to unite them
all including the City of Brooklyn, Gto the metropolitan
District of New-YOrR.
The townsnip OF Morrisania includes the villages of
Morrsauia Mott Haven. Port Morris, Wilton, North
w.York East and West Morrisania, Melrose, WOOD
ytoek. Elton Claremont and Highbrdgeville The Dor
ser OF all these places theky studded with houses
40 that they have become virtually single seluement
covering large area This township is governed partly
by trustees who correspond 70 the Board OF Aldermen h
this city, and the form Of government partakes OF the
nature OF both village and city The township Of West
Parms comprises the villages OF fremont Belmont West
Farms. Central Mofrisapia, MOUNT hope, Mount Eden
Williamsbridge Paramount, and Fordham. Tho settle
euts are laid out with scarcely reference to one
another or their surrounding The same Is true OF
that part Of the YOnkers adjoining this clty ana
NJ those PARTS OF the towns Eastcbeser and Wesehes
within the same radial distance OF Tue Cy nan %
TIE YoYKERs DIFFICULTY.
The last Legislature gave city charter TO the Village
Of Yonker but the people living in the southern section