New-York tribune., 1873-01-03
THE ANNEXATION OF WESTCHES1Eh
TOWNS.
TO the Editor Of The tribune

TO the Editor OF The Tri0une.
SIR: This important subject is now can
yassng In the lower part Of Westchester County and
also in NewYork II subject of great Importance to
the owners of property in both sections, and II the ben
efts 70 be derived are mutual then 1t is desirable in
preference 10 the other plan of forming city OF
those towns Morrsania West Farms part OF YOnkers,
&c. The residents of that section are almost unani-
mously In favor of annexation under an equitable
arrangement The incorporation is manly preferred
by those who have only political interests In the matter
The residents IN favor Of annexation argue that would
give them an experienced police and fire department,
and municipal government already organized, at far
loss .exnepse than would be incurred by keeping up
duplicates of the same They believe that New-York
would receive benefit from the residence there OF q
large share of business men VINO now seek homes In
NewJersey Long Island since the contracts for
the underground road have been signed and quick tran
sit has been assured The Elevated Road is to be
tended 10 Kingsbridge.
A saared man. or doing a moderate business re-
oures cheaper home than he can obtain convenient
access TO IN NewYork at the present time, while by
far the greater part Of the residents of Southern west
chester are OF this class and derive their support from
bnsness pursuits in the city, This population must in
eyitaby be augmented rapidly by quick transit the
Portchester Railroad and the New-York and Boston
Railroad are both under construction, and have their
termni on the Harlem River, making this section the
focus of railroads north east and west the Hudson
River the Harlem and the New-IIayen Railroads all
traverse 1t now The widening STRENGTHENING and deep
ening OF the Harlem River, under direction OF the
Central Park Commissioners calculated to expedite
traffic between the Sound East River and the Hudson
s North River vessels bound east will be saved IS miles
There is also connecting link between these railroads
and Port Norris on the Sound which will enable freight
from the far West 10 reach without breaking
bulk nghterage, carriage, other expenses that now
make New York so costly point for shipping. Ihese
things indicate OF the necessities for annexation
The depth Of at Port Morris ia adequate for the
largest vessels and by going there Dy way OF te SOuu
saving OF "a hours sail he made by foreign snip
ping the present passage Dy way OF SANDY hQoh'
Therefore the officers OF the Port nave Jurisdictoh
and the interests of the steamship companies will draw
them from Jersey city to Port Norris This would re-
terests OF New York When looks at the rapid in
crease OF population in this city in the past he viii be
encouraged to believe that u Will continue and its natu
raj overflow is into the section proposed 10 be annexed
What has been done in this mattert tOreseelng the
necessities of the from its eontigulty TO- ana he
rapid growth of the CITY, early in 1869 few residents OF
Fordham. Town OF West Farms met for consultation,
was appointed Feb L. 1860, 10 draw up bill for the
proper mapping of the town, liking permanent lines ana
water supply The desire to avoid the expense OF
the many alterations required IN parts OF Morrisanla
under domestic commissions, and therefore 1t was
deemed wisest 70 enlist the experience and inteigent
Commission consented and the portion OF Yonkers
south Of the village, the Town Of West, Farms, and
the Town of M1rrsania were placed under its
charge. It was believed that the requisite
uniformity could not be secured unless all
these towns were included The Special Commission In
Morrsania engaged in similar work. opposed the Dll'
One OF that Commission succeeded IN having the b so
shorn as TO cover only the part west OF the Harlem R
read The ncOrpOratOrs also had fought against IT, as
they feared 1t would be deahbloW TO their petty tte
political aspirations for Offices "a "overSeefs OF the
town pump &c. This action aroused the serious alton
ton OF property in the district lett out ana they
afteIward had the jurisdiction OF the Commission eX-
tended even beyond the limits OF the original D In
December 1862 the "ncOrpOrators again agtaIed ther
favOrite selfish scheme with poor success The same
influence that baled them before again made Itself fet,
and agitaed the annexation project early III 1870 Large
and enthusiastic meetings were held IN AL tbe
towns and villages OF the section. The landowners
attended and almost unanimously signed petitions
favoring the bill then offered at Albany OF course, no
bill can be up that will satisfy every mind but u
was remarkable how objections were made to that
one JOintcommittees sent TO Albany TO further
the measure. The bill went through the first und second
readings but owing to the press OF more urgent busl
ness O. the session. finally laid with the unin-
shed business Let the friends Of annexation then take
hold right and avail themselves OF what has already
been done greatness OF the city requires
this annexation and the sooner II becomes fact accom-
pished the for all the interests OF those whose
prosperity is identified with that OF the city.
Netc- York, Dec. 80, 1872. PLNflLLD'