New-York tribune., 1883-06-03
HARM WOULD CONE TO BROOKLYN
MIR. BEECHER THINKS A UNION IRRATIONAL
FOR MANY REASONS

MR. BEECHER THINKS UNION IRRATIONAL
FOR MANY REASONS.
The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was seen by a
TRIBUNE reporter on his farm at Peekskll. He
talked frankly the subject of the suggested union
of the two cities his usual vein OF pleasantly and
seriousness combined. lie said;
II am unable to sue one solitary element OF ad-
vantage that will accrue to Brooklyn by union
with New-York. Our churches, orr schools, our
water lights our streets, our parks, our public
buildings, are all sufficient or necessities and
they cannot possibly be benefited III the slightest
degree by Junction of the two cities.
/ do not believe that municipal government
comprising such vast extent Of territory would be
anything like effective as one which would be
limited To a more contracted area. In my opinion
that question goes back the general principle that
the nearer you brng the government officers to
the mass OF the people the better the government
will be. Ivery much fear that If Brooklyn should
make the mistake OF allowing herself to be htched
on 10 New-Yvrk she would realize before long that
she had in fact consented to assume the relations
with that city which the toe bears to the boot.
That is about what 1t " ould amount to.
O. do not see how it could possibly tend TO lessen
the taxation in either city. presume that the
rate is not substantially the same now.
the matter OF police efficiency should the two cities
be merged under one head. The outlying portions
of onr city especially need to lie protected. The
city is growing and will continue to grow. We
want to invite extension, and ample protection to
the people must accompany our growth. The great
mass OF workIngmen should be encouraged In their
desires and efforts 10 secure homes of their own.
This can best be done by dsposing OF the outlying
lands in cheap building lots on which plain sub
stantial dwelling houses be erected, something
after the style Of Philadelphia. That city OF all
other cities on the continent affords the greatest
comfort and Independence to tho workingman.
Thers you viii find thousands of IabOring men and
mechanics living III their own homes, with the
built-up city all around them Any policy which
will stimulate this class Of people TO like acquire
ments In Brooklyn would DO the policy OF wisdom,
aud it can be much better done under orr own cor
porato powers than under those OF single govern
ment embracing the entire area covered by the two
cities.
:" am unable to see why there should be any in
crease IN the business prosperity of either city, III
the event OF their union. Is there anything in the
standing apart of Brooklyn and New York that
compels business to remain dull aud stagnant
Business from such point OF view does not follow
specific rules at all it has its own choice to go
whore it can find the most profit. Business will not
be promoted by unity, and can zee no reason why
it should be. Both cities have their own water
fronts which cannot DO changed by the adoption of
one municipality in such manner as To afford addi
tiunal advantages TO either. In manufacturing In
terests | suppose that Brooklyn already almost
equals New. York City.
"On the point of possible advantages TO be de-
rived from set OF courts, can only say that we
need more courts, not less The dockets of our
courts are already overcrowded. and / think 1t
would be more difficult in q consolidated city to
secure additional courts and relative decrease In
the business Of cach than if they continue to orer
ate separately. A complete system of courts in
Brooklyn, in and OF itself and for ITSELF promises
more advantage than if 1t were merged in the City
of Ncw-York.
As to the question whether unity would lead
people now living on Manhattan Island to take up
their homes on Long Island, can answer emphat-
icay Mo- There are great many people who
prefer TO live in New-York others who prefer to
live over in Newcrsey but the inductlve reason in
either case has nothing whatever to do with the
fact of their connection with the municipality Of
New-York. They do not avoid Brooklyn simply
because 1t is net part of NswYork City. and they
would not go there any sooner If it was. There are
some reasons quite aside from the union OF the two
cities which really do not enter into the question at
ALL Brooklyn has great advantages for building.
Property is cheaper. The soil is great deal moro
favorable for foundations. There is no rock to
speak Of although there are some hugo boulders
there But these are soon SPLIT apart and used in
building the walls of cellars; and the ground
grows moro facle as yoa go out toward the fat
lands Brooklyn, too 10 near the south shore, which
s becoming the great summer resort. The city
from those points is quite accessible. Gentlemen OF
wealth are now selecting along the south shore. all
the way down to Montauk Point, favorable loca-
lions for seaside homes. and just soon as the
rapid transit Is accomplished La Brooklyn there
will be multitude of ways facilities and conven-
ences which New York does not have. The fact isr
Manhattan Island is lks man whose legs are ten
eet long and who has only three feet of himself
ylven ND to his head and trunk, 1t is great, long,
,utstretched city, and man living there wants to
ret up very carly in the morning. and sometimes go
without his breakfast II he expects to get down.
own before noon.
"Nor can soc how the commerce OF the port |
would be increased by having the waterfront and
under one control What difference
would 1t make whether they landed on one side OF
he other. As 1t is, the shipping is going to the
Brooklyn side. There is just so much shipping that
rues Co New-York, and whether il shall land at |
Jersey City, or NewYork, far up or low down. or