The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-09
The Greater New York


The bill which is TO be presented TO the
legislatures simply provides that the ques-
ton OF consolidation shall be submitted to
the people TO be voted on at the next gem
erai election Of the state. The people vote
IN their several election districts, and
the vote in each city. village
and town Is to be reported by
the secretary of state and fled in hi.
office. Nothing Is TO be determined by
this vote except the preferences of the
people Of the various localities. II any
further steps are taken towards consoIida-
ton they will be taken by the legislature,
and the legislature will probably not dis
regard the opposition of any important
community to the surrender OF its sepa-
rate municipal or political existence.
The communities affected are many, but
the two most important are New York and
Brooklyn. The line proposed starts from
Far Rqckaway, and running through
Queens county northerly. and northeast
cry through the towns of Hampstead
and Fl ushing. reaches Long Island
sound at Little Neck bay. Passing
through the middle of the bay
and turning to include Harris island.
which is already tho property OF New
York, IL enters the county OF Westchest er
through the enamel that divides Hunters
island from Glen islam d. Crossing the
county. IL includes the three great subur-
ban parks, and reaches the Hudson at
Mount 81. Vincent. Immediately south of
1onkers: Running souiherly, il ends in
Raritan bay.
Within these lines are included al of
Richmond county and Kings county, the
towns of Jamaica and Flushing and part
of Hampstead in Queens; the town OF
Westchester and part of Eastchester in
Westchester Sou nty. New York. Brook
Ign and Long Island City are the cities
that would be included in the charter OF
the greater New York.
The first and most obvious reason for
the consolidation is the practical identity
OF the interests of the people who dwell
within the proposed boundaries. Nature
has made the three great isiands-Man-
haitian. Long and Staten-ihe boun.
dar!es Of the wonderful bay into which
enters two-thirds of the imports that
come TO the country. From the
very first New York has been the center of
the active life that has been lived about
these shores. Hers the commerce of the
great community has been carried on. The
ships that have brought the merchandise
tied at her wharves; the transac-
tons of commerce have been con-
Quoted in her Offices and banks and
counting rooms. Those who have dwelt
in Brooklyn or in the rural communities
of the neighboring counties have lived on
the toll and trade OF the metropolis. Year
after year this has grown 10 be more and
more the fact. Brooklyn has been called
the boarding house." the .'dormitory, 3"
OF New York, and what 10 true of
Brooklyn Is true of Staten Island,
and Of Westchsster and Queens. Prac-
ticaily the people who dwell in the terri
tory which it is proposed TO include in the
consolidated city - the greater New
York-are one people, having their
home interests where they dwell
and their moro important business
interests where they spend their
actiys days. This Is the center Of the
hive, but IL is not the whole hive; and the
census which declares the people living on
Manhattan island 10 constitute the popu-
lation of New York does not tell nor even
indicate the truth. From such q declara-
ton one cannot begin 10 determine New
Iork's real importance among the cities
OF the world.