New-York tribune., 1883-06-03
SHOULD NEW- YORK AND BROOKLFN UNITE'

SHOULD NEW- YORK AND BROOKLYN UNITE!
The opening of the great Bridge has nat
urally set men to thinking about possible
union of the cities on each side of the East
River. This magnificent highway between
Newly and Long Island is not likely to
be for many years the only structure spanning
the gap. AS the usefulness of the Bridge
becomes more thoroughly understood and more
highly priced, a demand is sure to arise
for other means of communication. 1he
advantages of an unbroken connection be-
tween the railroad system OF Long Island and
one or more of the great trunk lines are SO
obvious that the completion of such a connec-
ton will come within reasonable time. 1t
will not be surprising if the opening of the
suspension Bridge serves to put new life into
the enterprise of bridge over Blackwels
Island, and also TO encourage plans for addl-
tional highways at other places. And as these
plans come before the public, and as the
tide of travel and traffic over the
mighty road in the air brings about the
changes in the two cities which it is
certain to effect, the question of union
under one government OF the communities
already so nearly allied will become more and
more topic OF discussion.
In order to give some indication OF public
sentiment on this important subject, and to
present the arguments on both sides in a
shape that will be of special interest to the
people of both cities, THE TRIBUNE has OBJ
tanned number of letters and authorized in
terviews from leading men OF New-lork and
BROOKLYN. These will be found to treat the
question with much ability and III a striking
and attractive manner. These citizens represent
by their positions and influence large and i'm
portant classes in the two communities. When
Mayor Edison, John Kelly, William Dowd,
Frederick S. Winston, ex-MayOr Grace Mr..
Beecher, General Slocum, cx-Judge Tracy,
and the other eminent citizens whose views
are presented elsewhere, have something to say
to their felow-citizens it is sure to be well
worthy of attention. 1t will be found that the
letters and conversations as printed show Il
great diversity of opinion, but they are surely
none the less interesting on that account.
| Mayor Edison talks clearly and strongly, in n
business-lke way He finds many reasons for
| favoring union. Mr.. Kelly is against it, and
whenever John Kelly speaks ho speaks with
no uncertain sound. There is no halfway, no
compromise about his letter. Evidently any
scheme of union that may be brought
forward at Albany or elsewhere will
find in him a sturdy opponent. Ex-Mayor
Grace is as earnest as Mr.. Kelly in
his opposition to any scheme of union. He
does not believe either city would profit by
it. Mr.. Beecher holds that Brooklyn
would suffer seriously. o. B. Potter like
Mr.. Grace, sees only injury to both COM
munities in union. But Mayor Edison is far
from standing alone in his advocacy of union.
William Dowd thinks that the benefits to be
| derived from consolidation are so great that
early agitation of the question should be
begun. Frederick 8. Winston believes that
while New-York would benefit by
union, Brooklyn would gain much
more. 9. B. Chittenden Is heartily