New-York tribune., 1883-06-03
STRONG ARGUMENTS FoE A UNION
MAYOR EDsoS THINKS IT WOULD III ADyAN-
TAGEOUs TO BOTH CITE.

TAGEOUs TO BOTH CITE.
when Mayor Edison was askc his opinion in re-
gard to the union OF the two cities he said that be
was too much occupied at prrsent with the duties
of his Office 10 wre out his views. But IN answer
to the inqurcs OF n TRIBUNE ieporter he ,1prcsaed
himself gen rally IN favor OF The union.
I'm many respects" said the Mayor. " the two
cities arc practically one at the present time. IL
would be better for both If tie artificial barriers
were removed. There would result. In Imy opinion
n great advantage to New-York aud certainly no
disadvantage TO Brooklyn. hat city IS not what
might be called the result of a natural growth, oui
has been buili up by people from this cty VINO went
there 10 live because II contiguous 10 Their
places of business. Ii has derived lis advantages
from New-York and though Brooklyn has out
grown in many respects Its provincial c1aracter 1t
continues to be- regarded as a suburb Of his city.
There for that III the fact hat BrOok>n's
principal citizens, nciuding its Mayor, are New
York business men. Their maternal interests are IN
New-York. II it were question whether
they should give up doing business IN
New-York OF cease TO reside IN BrooGlyn think
that there Is no reason TO doubt that they would
stick to New-York. So you Brooklyn !, really
part Of New York now, though organized into n
separate municipality"
"Is there any disadvantage TO New-York in the
existing arrangement
81 think there is. Brooklyn people have
the advantages Of New-York for business.
aud their property is protected here all
the time, and their lives more than balf
the time yet they do not contribute their just pro
portion to the cost Of the city government. If
there were only one government for the two ctles
the cost would be less for New York and no more
for Brooklyn. That city would have the advantage
ri nf ha n
would improve it both socially ana
politically. though Mayor Low might not think
| have no doubt that New-York would also be bene-
fted politically by the union. There Is some adj
vantage in the mere consciousness of beng resi-
dent Of great city. The union would bring to-
gether population whose interests arc Identical
and would create young and vigorous metropolis
here that would soon outriyal London and Paris"
"Do you think the two cities could be governed
as effectively under municipal government as
at PRESENT."
81 think tho government would be improved for
both cities by the union. government covering
larger generally the services of better
and more dsint.rested men than when confined to
a smaller territory. With united city we
should have an improved legislative body. And
our great need is the power OF self-governmcnt. We
wait 10 be rid Of the rule of men from Catiaraugus
and ST. Lawrence, who, however Intelligent, know
nothing OF the city or its needs. If Brooklyn were
consolidated with New-York, and we were given
the power Of self-government. with responsible
executive head, it would DO a great advantage to
both cities"
Gould this increased area be as well policed,
and protected in other respects as at presentT
Yes, and better. 1t would be manifest adj
vantage to have one police force. working in har-
mony, and guided by the same regulations. There
ought to be only one Board of Health, as what is
gcrous to the health of Brooklyn equally dan
gerous to the health of this city. There should be
only one set of courts. And as for the
management of the water front it is clear that there
ought to be no divided control. union in that
respect was so necessary that the State long ago
created the Board of Masters and the Port
Wardens and Q quarantine COMMISSIONER and gave
them equal Jurisdiction in each city. II we were
under one government We would probably be al
lowed to manage these things for ourselves instead
of being pbect tothe control OF outside persons and
interests"
"Do you think that the public works Of the two
cities like the sewerage and water system, could DO
as well managed under one controlP
Certainly. Therc should be ono chief engineer.
The same ordinances should rule In both