The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-09

the scheme. This subject has been periodically
discussed for the past fifteen or twenty years, but
until now the sentiment appears to have been
directly against consolidation. Tie advocates oft
have been lab0rlng by argument and otherwise to
convince them opponents that the greatest advan-
tages would be secured by such q measure ana
have succeeded so far that steps are now
being taken towards the accomplishment OF
the plan proposed. At recent meeting
held In Brooklyn committee was appointed to
name another committee who will confer with
committee representing New York, with the view
OF perfecting the preliminary measures necessary
to the passage OF an act by the Legislature placing
both OF the great cities under one municipal gov
eminent. That meeting was attended by many OF
the representative citizens OF Brooklyn, including
A. A. Low, 8. b. Chittenden, J. 8. T. Stranahan.
Demas Barnes aud Others, and their proceedings
were regarded with great interest by the public
One Of the strongest points Of the opposition is
that consolidation would kill Brooklyn, as it did
Williamsburg. This assertion Is met with an en-
phatic denial and the argument that the annexa-
ton OF Brooklyn would make 1t an important quar-
ter of the greatest city OF the New World and that
1t would be far better for Brooklyn to be such than
than the suburb which 1t now really Is. The great
Indebtedness oil the city of New York Is also pre-
sented as an argument against annexation by its
opponents, who object to bearing the burden Of the
results Of misrule In the metropolis and this ia
met by the argument that the Indebtedness of the
two cities is almost equal when the tax
able property or the two cities is
brought into account. These arguments have been
advanced pro and con-, and the verdict has been,
as before stated, that the sentiment OF the people
Is now largely in favor OF the change.
A representative OF the HERALD yesterday
called upon Mr.. J. 8. T. Stranalan, President Of
the Brooklyn Park Commission and prominent
resident OF that city, who had made the subject
study for some years past for the purpose or ascer
tanning his Views In regard to the matter. Mr..
Stranahan was found at his office corner OF Court
and Schermerhorn streets, and expressed his
Willingness to converse upon the subject. The fol-
lowing conversation then took place.
COMMISSIONER sTRANAHAN's VIEWS.
REPoRTER-Mr. Stranahan, have called to as
certain your views upon the subject of the pro.
posed consolidation OF the cities OF New York and
Brooklyn under one municipal government You
have given the matter considerable attention, and
the result OF your observations will be considered
with interest by the public.
MIR. STRANAHAN-Wen sir, am thoroughly in
favor OF the consolidation OF the two cities for the
reasons that have been urged for twenty years and
those reasons have been known to you, probably,
and to every one. would sooner be part of one
great city than form portion of suburb
Brooklyn, you know, now is.
REPoRrRR-To come to the point. sir; what, in
your opinion would be the advantage derived from
the consolidation Would a better municipal
| government be secured to the people
REASON tna the the the o aber
| the representative. or course, the number OF
Aldermanic districts would be less-you see that,
OF cOurse-and the representation would be larger,
so much as to be beyond the reach OF the smaller
cliques OF
WARD POLITICIANS WHO NOW CONTROL THE ELEC.
ment, ior the reason that New York city is largely
democratic, be placed in the hands OF one party
MIR. SrRANAHAN-No. There would be an in
creased local interest, which would tend to keep
down political or party class, which is always
favorable. The democratic party has large
majority in Brooklyn also; but these are only
minor objections. We are to have in this neigh
THE GREAr CITY OF THE NEW WORLD.
Let US make 1t as large and powerful and in
nuential as we can. not only for our own reputa-
ton but for the reputation OF our country. You
ask me what the advantages OF annexation would
be- J say the terry question would be one, the
question Of bridging our river at various points,
as it will be bridged Is another. We would reach
which we carry there ourselves in the way OF taxa
ton. AS to the ferry question: the city OF New York
owns the Jerry franchises. Since the colonial gov
eminent the Legislature OF the State OF New York
has delegated to the city the control Of ferries
which, though now quiet question, has often
been q very veXed one between the two cities.
You will perhaps ask In that connection about the
water rights Tae Jurisdiction OF the city OF New
Tork extends up TO our Rers and n ieea
being within her jurisdiction.
REPoRTEs-You think that In event OF consolida-
ton the East River Will be bridged at various
points?
Mr.. SrRANAHAN-Yes. think the most impor-
AFTER THE PRESENT BRIDGE
shall be completed, would be from Astoria, by way
chester county. The spans would be short, and the
erection Of railway bridge for railway traffic and
passenger traffic would be entirely feasible, and,
by way OF such bridge, Brooklyn would be con-
nected with the Eastern and Western roads and
soon with the coal fields OF Pennsylvania by way OF
a suspension bridge which would be built across
the Hudson River at West Point.
REPOErER-This would not be done without con-
Mr. STRANAHAN-Not so well. 1t is easier for
THE COMBINED CITIES
to work for the whole than portion: than one
city to work singly for part.
REPoRTER-ShOud the two cities be consolidated,
Mr. Stranahan, a great many people here saw that
Brooklyn will have sadded np0n 1t the great in
debtedness OF the city Of New York. which they
would have to aid In paying OF. That seems to be
Mr.. SrRINAMAN-The Indebtedness OF the two
great cities Is very nearly equal when you bring
into account the taxable property OF the cities. In
gard. Then you must remember that there would
be money saved in the way OF public buildings.
Won tbink that the Ave county, sswns " n ao
county should he included :
FURTHER ANNEXATION.
Mr.. STRANAHAN-lt night not he wise TO embrace
at once, arbitrarily the county towns. though 1t
would be very convenient to do So that we might
cease to have county government. IL Is equally
important that the three lower towns OF West
chester county should be annexed at the same
time, and probably 1t would be wise to add the
towns Of Newtown, Queens county; Long Island
CITY. Astoria, and other villages. But l would
leave the nexation OF all these towns TO be de-
termined by the people themselves. would not
arbitrarily annex them.
REPoRrER-Don't you think that the question
should be submitted to the people Of New York ana
Brooklyn alsOf
Mr.. STRANAHAN-The bill that 1t is proposed to
pass is but preliminary measure perhaps quite
sufficient for the time. Ne will have to 60 to the
Legislature again and TIE discussion for the coming
year would Indicate whatwould be wise In that re.
gard. have given good deal OF thought TO this
question for some twenty years or more and have
never known, so far as my observation extends,
the sentiment so strongly
IN FAVOR OF ANNEXATION
as IL Is now. IL Is indeed rather surprising to me.
REPoRrER-There appears to be feeling among