The sun., 1893-03-03

According to Mugwump assertion. the
bill submitting the question OF a Greater
New York to vote OF the communities
concerned. is to be sacrificed as means OF
concliating the opposition Of the Demo-
cratic delegation OF Brooklyn to certain
proposed amendments to the ballot law.
1t is not probable that the charge has any
other basis than mere Mugwump suspicion.
Tho suggested alterations In the ballot law
are Of trlGing consequence as compared
with the great aud salutary Democratic
principle Of home rule involved In the
other bill. There may be reasonable
differences Of opinion among the Demo-
cratic majority Of the Legislature rs
to particular plan for further tinkering
with the ballot law; and 1t is not
surprising that they should occur II
the report be true that the proposed
amendments "are mainly the outcome
Committee Of the City Club" Democrats
have good reason to be on their guard
against projects for legislation which come
from a source so hostile to the Democracy.
On the principle of home rule they are
united by their very political faith. They
do not need instructions from the City
Club as TO that obligation Of essential
Democratic theory and doctrine: and they
would not get any advice deserving their
attention from an association whose sole
purpose is tho destruction OF tho Demo-
cratic organization In the city OF New York.
and indirectly in the city Of Brooklyn.
The bill relating to the Greater New York
has in 1t nothing that can reasonably excite
the opposition Of the Brooklyn delegation.
while It's underlying principle demands and
commands the support OF every Democrat
of their number, whether he favors or dis
approves the scheme which it submits to
the people for decision. He might as we'll
object to making his own election to Office
dependent upon the will of the cit
liens Of his district. In principle both
are the same. Under both the people
are left to sny for themselves what they
want. II they are not essentially compe-
tent to decide the question referred to them
by this bill they are not thus competent to
elect representatives to the Legislature or
to govern themselves in any respect. and
tho Democratic theory Of popular rule is
based on a fiction.
The friendly attitude OF Democrats to the
measure. therefore. would afford no indica-
tion OF their attitude toward the scheme Of
consolidation ITSELF but their opposition to
it would involve treachery to the principle
OF home rule. which they were elected to
defend and sustain. II 1t be true. as assert
ed. that the Brooklyn Democratic delega-
ton are unanimously and unaltorably op-
posed to consolidation. 1t is q reasona-
BILE Inference that. as they represent
the political sympathies OF the great
majority Of the voters OF Brooklyn. the
scheme would have hard chance when 1t
came up for popular decision in that town.
At any rate. the fight against 1t would be
bitter. and would be conducted by leaders
whose own election Indicates that they
have the popular confidence. But the ques-
tion before tho Democratic Legislature Ia
not whether tho project will find favor or
disfavor; it is whether tho will OF the poo
pie shall be consulted according to Demo
| cratic principle.
On this question there can consistently
be no division among the Democrats OF the
Legislature. Who is there among them.
whether he comes from Brooklyn or Buf-
| falo. that will dare to stand NJ and yota
| against home rule?