The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-11
Tho Great City Of tho Future.

The population Of New York Is 1915, 3o3,
| according to tho estimate Of the Health
| Department for last week. The population
| OF Brooklyn is estimated at about $50, 900, SO
| that together the two great towns have
about 100000 inhabitants. The actual
enumeration now going on will probably
show a result only slightly different.
In other words. OF this community Of two
and one-half millions Of people, New York
contains two-thirds and Brooklyn one-third.
Thirty years ago Brooklyn contained little
less than one-quarter only; and, therefore,
1t has been increasing at faster rate than
Manhattan Island. 1t is likely, also, to keep
up this more rapid growth If the facilities
for communication with New York and the
rest Of the Union are increased proportion
ately; for Its soil and general CONFORMATION
are peculiarly favorable to such increase.
The town may extend for many miles to
the eastward without encountering any
natural obstacles to Its easy growth. No
where is there region better adapted for a
great population. 1t Is readily drained i'm
provements are made with a minimum Of
cost, and the ocean on one side and the
Sound on the other render it desirable for
residence. There Is room enough for mil
lions Of people, and with adequate means Of
communication it will be occupied by them
before the next century Is far advanced.
But one bridge connecting them with
New York, and with the rest Of the world.
will not be enough. 1t must be one of
many bridges, so that the insular character
OF the region shall be lost Brooklyn must
be Joined to New York by thoroughfares
which will make the two communities parts
Of whole and by system Of rapid transit
which will take no account Of the mere
separation by water. This region. so sd-
mirably adapted to settlement, will thus be
brought nearer to the centre OF New York
than the Westchester district, to which the
growth Of population In this city proper will
be chiefly confined.
In less than fifty years the population OF |
the territory Of the now divided towns will |
be more than ten millions, and Of that vast |
community the majority will probably be on |
Long Island, provided the two combine for |
a common development. But to do that to |
the best purpose they must be united under |
a common municipal government. so that |
the system OF improvements may be worked |
out tremendously and for the advantage of
CdCh pal 70 vi q WuOl6. WIFI
jurisdiction and conflicting authority such
comprehensive plan OF development Is I'm
possible. Growth would be retarded by
makeshift arrangements like those which
now hinder the progress of Brooklyn moro
especially. with single bridge, overcrowded
cars, and tedious ferries.
1t Is therefore for the manifest interest of |
Brooklyn that the consolidation OF the two
cities should take place as soon as possible. |
1t would be followed by large increase in
the value OF property, for everybody would
foresee that the adequate means Of oommu.
nication would come in due time, and that |
they would be after a plan which would
greatly facilitate the growth of population.
The citizens Of Brooklyn will naturally be
tho stoutest advocates OF consolidation |
when they have learned TO look forward to |
1t with eyes as clear as those OF the saga
cious Mr.. STRANAHAN. They do not yet |
begin to comprehend the magnificent future
which awaits that town when 1t comes In as
q part OF the community destined to be the
greatest in the history OF mankind. It is
mere village now. comparatively, to what It
may be fifty years hence.