The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1886-07-17
THE CITY or MANHATTAN.

sir, for here is is the nine fifteen.
THE CITY OF MANHATTAN.
The New York Star breaches .
grand scheme in the proposition TO
all the many populous dis
tricts around New York into great
American metropolis. 1t would change
the name, at the same time, and, in-
stead of calling the greatest city Of
America after small and unimpor-
tant town Ia England of no CONNER
cial or manufacturing standing, pres
serve its original and distinctive title
OF Manhattan.
The Stars plan is spe cificaIIy this
The union of all the towns, cities, ETC.,
which are in point Of business and
otherwise suburbs of New York, into
one corp grafton. The Legislature will
oe asked 10 grant an enabling act,
allow these districts to elect delegates
who shall meet, rs in State con-
ventiou, aud frame charter for the
now city.
The boundaries fixed upon for the
new city, asd which were laid of, the
Star declares, by competent engineer,
who took into consideration the ques-
ton of drainage, police supervision
and all similar matters coming pros
perry under municipal control, include
the present cities of New York and
Brooklyn, Staten Island, all Kings and
part at Queens counties, and portion
of Westminster, It's total area would
be 1913 square miles, less than London,
and but little more than the district
under tina municipal control Of New
Orleans. Its population was 2,033 ,O46
in 1880, is 2,730,O00 to-day, and will
be about 2. 500, 900 by the next census,
equal to that of the thirteen American
colonies when they seeded from Great
Britain.
Such a union, the Star declares,
would Largely improve the administers
ton of municipal affairs, allow of a
better and grander system of public
reduce the cost of government and the
rate Of taxation, the abolition of super.
huous Offices now existing in conse-
quence of the superhuous municipal
governments alone causing a reduction
of $S, 900, 900.
Against this project there will be
little opposit ON in the smaller towns
and villages. 1t is not tho annexation
of Brooklyn TO New York, but the
organization of a new city In which
both are equally interested. Brookly Ign
is becoming more and more dependent
on its sister city and more united in
consequence of the great bridge. 1t is
acknowledged that the two must
sooner or later be consolidated. Why
not now? Brooklyn would become a
part of New York comme, cially and
its vast water front, now little used,
would relieve the overcrowded wharf,
YES of New York.
AS for the Long Island villages, thu y
all suffer at present from lack of the
proper police and fire protection and
would welcome the change. Nor
would they suffer from heavy taxes,
for their tax rates would not have 10
be increased, AS they are now higher
than in New York itself. New York's
tax rate to-day 2.25 cents against 2.S9
in Brooklyn, EGG in Newtown and
from 2.40 to $40 in the other Long
Island towns. As a consequence, nearly
all of them would actuly secure relief
becoming Il part Of tho new City OF
Manhattan.
The Star has interviewed leading
merchants in New York, Brook Ign and
the other towns on the aubject of this
consolidation and union, and finds q
strong, indeed an almost unanimous
opinion, in favor of the project az one
likely to benefit the people in every
respect, reduce the number of office
holders, cut down expenses and secure
a better, purer and more efficient gov
ernment.
"For ourselves" it declares, "wo re,
gard the movement for union as con.
elusive. 1t is the only plan by which
either o: the existing cities of New
York and Brooklyn can hope to secure
new charter framed by their oWr
people. 1t offers the only guarantee
we can have of continued home rult
for the people of the metropolitan dis
tric,. 1t will add to the pride AID AN.
bitinn of our prnp!" and assure Ma,
union Of the enereic. uf all the par.
nee, ssary to supply the vital needs @
the great ne: O'is. Oar suggestion
is not an ambitious >ch' III" to enlarge
New York C,iy by nnncXing suburbs
1t IL proposal that the people of New
York and Brook Ign, and If tn" dis
tric's That share their Interests, shat
] lin to constitute the CITY If Mum a.
tan. when MnuiI BIZ Il; once ,ht
8 NJ Il, before long, the yrra, cs
e tv ia thu, world SLrh a rr.,; M,