New-York tribune., 1883-06-05
THE FUTURE OF NEW-YORR ANL
RPOOKLYN


There arc some curious and interesting
features worth noting in a review of the mu-
nicipal symposium which appeared In the col
umns of The TRIBUNE on Sunday. Here are
eleven of the best known and most influential
citizens of New-YOrk and Brooklyn discussing
the question of a union of the two cities with o
breadth of view and strength OF reasoning
which show that they have often turned the
subject over In their minds. Probably the
first thing which impresses the careful reader
of these letters and interviews is that SO many
strong arguments can he found on each side.
Rarely if ever has question of city govern
ment been 80 impressively treated by such q
company of distinguished citizens at one time.
They have brought ont so clearly and forcloly
the principal reasons for and against consoli-
dation that the subject is now before the people
in way well fitted for its intelligent and thor
ough consideration. 1t may worthily engage
the best thought of the two cities until 1t has
been scrutinized from every possible point OF
view.
It is plain at glance that party lines or party
nreiudices have nothing to do with the po-
sitjons of the eleven citizens who joined in this
debate. John Kelly and ex-Alayor Grace, who
have been able to agree in little else, are In ac-
cord in their earnest opposition to q union OF
the two big towns. Mayor Edison and MIR.
Kelly have been able to get along without frc-
ton. but they are as wide apart as the poles on
| this question. Mr.. Edison finds many powerful
| reasons for joining the two communities under
ono government Mr.. Kelly can see no good IN
any plan of tho kind. Oddly enough, the Tam
many leader finds little to please him in great
acpreeations of population. Yet his political
| success in the biggest city OF the western hem
| isphere has been hardly short of prodiglous.
Such an influential Republican in New York as
Mr.. Dowd desires an early agitation in favor OF
union. Such an influential Republican In
| Brooklyn as Mr.. Beecher thinks the notion
prepostcrous, at least from Brooklyn polnt oil
| view. 4. Willis James and 5. b. Chttenden
are at one in the opinion that neither city Is
vet fitted for the married state-that important
| improvements and reforms, time of probation
as it were, should precede any union. Mr..
Cbittsnden from the lausterc morality of
BROOKLYN Heights is especially severe on this
community. Frederick 5. Winston holds that
the nnion must come, but he too believes that
preliminary reforms are indispensable. Gem
eral Tracy and General Slocum, politically at
odds, one good Republican, the other a
worthy Democrat, find common ground in the
suggestion that great confederation, rather
than a consolidation, is desirable for the two
municipalities-tba their police, fire, health,
TRANSPORTATION and harbor systems should be
| under n single control, but that other affairs
| should be left % the local governments.
A breezy stirring and suggestive discussion
| this The drift of opinion is unmisakably
that union is only question Of time. Even Mr..
Kelly admits that the number of people on both
sides of the East River who think it desirable Is
large. though he considers them erroneous
reasoners. Mr.. Dowd urges early agitation for
union. Mayor Edison Is enthusiastic for it, Mr..
Winston believes that it will be accomplished.
Mr.. james Is positive of it, So Is Mr. Chitten-
| denim spite of his sharp criticism Of New
| York. Mr.. Beechcr is steadfast against 1t, but
seems q little doubtful whether after all 1t may
not como In time. General Tracy and General
| Slocum lean toward confederation Only two
out of the eleveE-ex- Mayor Grace and .. B.
| Potter-seem mistaken in their faith that the
| two cities will never be one. 1t is Of course as
vet uncertain whether such views as those OF
| Mayor Edison or such as those of Mr.. Grace are
| tbe more prevalent in the two cities. Anyway
the discussion has been fairly opened. The
more general and thorough it becomes the
| better.