The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-01
The New York That Is To BE.

The Greater New York bill simply refers
the general question OF consolidation to the
decision Of the people hereabouts at the
election OF next autumn. 1t provides for
two special official ballots. one for and one
against the scheme; and only IL the popu-
lar will is favorable. is the subject to re-
ceive further legislative consideration.
In rendering their decision in favor OF
consolidation. therefore. the people will not
pass upon any disputable questions con-
corning the equitable arrangement Of a
system OF taxation, or the proper municipal
government for the united communities
They will merely declare their sentiment
as to the naked proposition whether they
shall remain divided as they now are.
or shall be brought together to form a
single city which. next to London.
will be the greatest in the world.
The details OF administration and OF the
adjustment OF taxation can be discussed
and settled subsequently by commission
appointed for the purpose. or In such other
way as the Legislature may decide. Pro-
vided that the Greater New York is decided
upon. the problem these matters would pre-
sent would be neither new nor OF extreme
difficulty. At any rate. there Is no occasion
for the people to trouble themselves about
it until IL arises.
Undoubtedly the boundaries Of the Great
or New York would be much wider than
those laid out in this scheme. il the whole
OF the region naturally included in it were
brought together in "A consolidated city
representing the community Of the interests
OF the great population gathered aUout this
hnrbor. The enlarged metropolis proposed
extends from the Battery northward into
Westchester county, SO as to include
the village Of West Chester and parts
of the villages OF East Chester and Pei
ham. IL takes In Staten Island to the
southwark To the eastward it absorbs.
besides Brooklyn. large part Of Queens
county on Long Island. Its natural bOun-
daries also extend into New Jersey. SO as TO
include the whole Of the vast population OF
that State directly dependent on the waters
OF the harbor OF New York; but, Of course.
the difference OF State jurisdiction prevents
their municipal union with the great urban
Of which really they are a
homogeneous part. II they could be in
cluded IN the scheme Of consolidation thew
would make the combined population 3. $780,
OO Without them it is at present about
3. OOO, 900.
Is it a merely vain ambition TO make |
Of New York a city which shall be thus |
tho second in magnitude in the world ? |
Is It simply desire for a bigness which Of |
ITSELF promises no advantages. and whose |
qualification would contribute only to a |
spirit of self-gloriiication. which would be of |
no substantial profit to the community that
INDUCES in it! Even il nothing else were |
accomplished by giving TO New York its |
rlghtful place among the capitals OF |
.he world, the stimulation Of this local |
pride would be alone a sufficient motive for |
he most strenuous efforts to bring about /
he result. II the proposed consolidation |
10 nothing more than increase the pride OF
he people in their citizenship. that alone
Sill be justification enough OF the energy
expended by Mr., GREEN and Mr.. STRANAHAN
a pushing forward the scheme Of the
ireater New York.
The consolidation OF the communities
bout this harbOr would have positive and
PRACTICAL advantages. however. which