The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-30
WE3TCaESTER AENEXATm.
Manifest Destiny Cloing Around tie Lower Pxrt
Of tho County-Hcw tho echsme is Re-
garaad-A Thoroughly Popular Pro
ject-Some Of the Advantages
To Do Derived from It

Now that the probability OF annexation OF the
lower POI tieo OF ysxsstchoster county to New York
has become VI most certainty tae subject is being
eagerly di cussod By tho Inhabitants OF that sec
ton. To the taxpayers IN Aourtsania, West Farms
and Kingsbridge (tae towns which 1t IL pro osed
to annex the proposed measure Is one or tai i'm
portance and eng rosses tho Alteration OF all
classes. from the industrious. frugal iaborcr who
has secured single lot OF ground, on which he
hopes some day to build shelter Tor himself and
family, 10 tho aHluent landowner WHO counts his
pastoral acres by hundreds. At one time there
were many who bitterly opposed the project, but
within the past few months these have dwindlcd
to such shadow OF . minority tnat
in the towns mentioned 1t woud now be some
what difficult to discover q solitary taxpayer VINO
has the hardihood to openly express his disappro-
baton OF che scheme. Indeed, it would seem That
the whOm opponents OF annexation have fallen
into an apathetc state OF passive acquescence or
indifference from which 1t Ia impossible Tor them
to offer any further resistance TO what has been
almost universally regarded ~ inevitable.
In the thiokly settled town OF Morrisania es-
pecially the project. now apparently 80 near con-
summation, Is regarded with
THE MOST LIVELY SATISFACTION,
as 1t will insure much needed improvements the
absence Of which In the past and present has ma
teriay retarded its growth ana prosperity. The
principal among these are. an abundant supply OF
water Tor domestic purposes and the extinguish-
ing Of fires; general system OF drainage TO re-
move the miasmatic influences unpleasantly per-
ceptibe during the Summer months; a steam fire
department, and an efficient police force for the
protection OF life and property. These and many
other features together with the enhancement OF
values in real estate, which must follow in the
wake OF annexation to the metropolis are cOnsd-
erations OF too much Importance to be disregarded.
While sounding few Of the
PROMINENT CITIZENS
on the subject OF annexation yesterday the HERALD
represent ative called on MIR. +. w. Giiley shrewd,
made real estate In M0rrisania q study Tor
the past Twenty-Five years, when the conversation
which took place was in substance rs follows -
In answer to an Introductory question by the
reporter az to the present condition OF business in
the town Mr.. Gilley replied, "Well, the general
business in all branches OF mechanical and indus
trial pursuits Is completely Frustrated; and as TO
the real estate business and all else that am in
terested in. there is and has been for long time
complete stagnatiOn."
"To what do you inpute this want of business9
Is there q lack OF energy or OF industry in your
people here in M0rrisaniar
ANNEXATION IN HIGH FAVOR.
"Oh, no; but there has been the matter of an
nexation spoken OF tor years, and within the last
two or three years 1t has been the theme Of dis
on and mas 70 the
failure OF every effort y do to act, to operate or
posed to annexatiOnS"
II may say almost universally in favor of the
"Wnat arguments do they bring forwardY'
1t seems that 1t Is
FOREGoNE CONCLUSION
that annexation Is the only remedy for the disease
which has taken root here, and known as-not
fever and ague, for, by the way, we have no more
OF that dread scOurge than have other localities in
this and other counties, or this and other States
but mean this disease OF business liie which has
not for years been known around and about US
a
ing US to the Legislature OF the State OF New York,
knowing that the matter Is before the lawmakers,
and that the scheme which brings MOrrisana,
West Farms and Kingsbrdge into the city or New
York has by enactment been passed almost unani
OF the Senate and the sanction OF the Governor to
"But why do the people SO unanimously want an
nexation 20
because they have faith in it; they think we
shall be benefited in many ways. We shall be rid
ierent a. 1t may be, is not at all popular They hope
BETTER POLICE ORGANIZATION
and protection; q better protection from the ter
ribe element OF fire; not that we think our fire
tSat aur are IN engy ana courage but
quate. One steam fire engine, with sufficient
water wa (which we now n have not, would
rsania, and may say IN West Farms
also, They also think that commissioners
made and altered to suit private ends,
and that the streets and avenues would be
laid out widened, graded and regulated in con-
f0rmity with common sense and with view to
general improvement, and not for the mere adj
vancement Of the interests OF some few who can
afford 10 pay for the crooking and turning Of the
line OF o street, avenue or boulevard. Tney also
think that, AS part OF New York, we should have
position far beyond the value OF suburban or
country character"
'How do your representatives in the Legislature
stand on the question for annexation ~
1.-THE member OF Assembly from this district Mr.
Herrng) introduced
THE BILL IN THE HOUSE.
and has carried 1t through with great ability Sc
curing on It's maj passage an almost unanimous
VOTE IL has been said that our Senator wv. H.
Robertson) who is from the upper part OF the
county, has not been favorable to the passage OF
the bill but since the Assembly have spoken so
plainly in response TO the wishes OF the people the
Senator has concluded to withdraw his opposition
and win urge its passage in The Senate and thereby
retain his popularity should he defeat the bin IN
county would never forgive him.
THE OPPONENTS OF THE SCHEME.
WHO are the opponents OF the scheme, II anyfn
"Only those who are 0fficals or who live on the
public, and some few OF their friends. There
about three thousand voters in this town. and
favor OF annexation and these live in the hope OF
receiving the news every hour. ON the passage
and confirmation Of annexation there will be a
grand jubilee In this place."
"Have you any other reasons for your belief that
annexation is so popular rs you say ~
'Oh, yes; thousand. One Is that the business Of
real estate is asleep and will know no waking until
the anticipated annexation shall awake ii, and
when that moment snail arrive there will be an
impetus given 10
BUSINESS IN REAL ESTATE,
and in fact, every other branch OF trade which win
induce thousands, not only to invest but to be-
come deDizens OF the now comparatively sparsely
settled lots In this and the adjacent towns. This
portion OF Westchester county VIII take in great
portion OF the swarms which threaten to leave
New York for Long Island and New jersey In
fact, there will be great and immediate revolu-
ton; property will once more assume its former
status, and our people will cease TO be undeter.
mined or dIsheartened.v
Here the interview terminated. and the reporter