New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-18
WHAT BROOKLYN TALKS OF.
ANNEXATION OF THE TOWNS-SCTHhR-
LAND CONVICTED-ELECTiON OF
AIDERMEN-TIIE BRIDGE.

ANNEXATION OF THE TOWNS-SCTHhR-
LAND CONvICrED-ELECTION or
ALDERMEN-TIIE BRIDGE.
The most important subject before the people
of the city large is doubtless the proposed an
nexation OF the county towns No one can have
any question as regards their becoming ultimately
a part Of the city; but serious obstacle seems
10 stand in the way of their immediate annexation
and the ending Of the system Of dual government.
which must continue long the city and county
are not coterminous II found that All schemes
for the joint annexation Of the towns-one of which
provided for the appointment of a commission 10
take the entire matter into consideration and re-
port upon to the Legislatur"-inust be aban-
doned for the reason that If the city and county
were made identical the debt Of Brooklyn would
considerably exceed the constitutional limit ana
end would be put to all public in-
provements for years unless there should he
large advances in the already excessive valuations
of real Hence. while there is strong sentl-
ment in favor Of the annexation of Fatoush. New
Utrecht and Gravesend it is felt that Fatands
must be kept town; so that on account OF Demo
cratic extravaganza and recklessneSs II VIII De
necessary to maintain both city and county gov
eminent for the benefit of single town containing
4075 persons. according TO thu census Of l9: rms
Is an anomalous and extraordinary condition or
on the minds Of all the people Of Brooklyn ana Its
immediate envrons The respect thi@ peopise OIL
nexation for they have been plundered and proyed
tbporonghly tired Of H. In fact il * Well known
that Flatbush would have been made a ward Of he
opposition Of the local politicians. who did not
wish to lose their pckincs and-other things and
were able to influence the Legislature IN tneir
own interest The probabilities nov are ihat Nm tRt
Utrecht and Gravesend will become laws at the
present session.
The prosecution of the Gravesend gang goes mer-
fly and satisfactorily The alarm raised In re-
gard to jury fixing had decidedly good effect and
the second trial Of Sutherland there was no diff
fculty in securing verdict of guilty. Sutherland
Justice of the Peace. who grossly abused his
powers in the interest of McIlane just prior the
election last fall y number of went down
from Brooklyn copy the registration lists In be-
half of Mr.. Gaynor: they reached Graves
end they were arrested by the thugs McKane sent
act policemen. and when arraigned before
Sutherland they were treated with great gnfarness
ana hustled OF TO the Raymond street jan from
which they could not be released for twenty -four
for oppression which is only a misdemean0r, ana
not State Prison offence. Ii IS pity that he
chief within the gloomy walls of Sing Sing: but it
seems that through gross carelessness he has been
gether Doubtless the jury fxers are greatly alarmed
a @ @ Of " hss
that great pains be taken in selecting jurors in all
the rest of the Gravcscnd cases II Is 10 be hoped
ist there VIII not De single '"''"'S " '"S e"'S
If the Common Council had not been redeemed In
the political revolution which took place last fall
ii is certain that there would be widespread dis
for return the system of eectng Aldermen
by wards As II is it is felt that the Board of
Aldermen is all right for this year and next and
consequently the not very serious matter |
The present system has proved satisfactory; it |
certainly did not produce the results expected when
the change was advocated by Mayor Low dozen
years ago The character of the Board steadily |
degenerated during the years 1t was under Demo
cratic control and last fall for the first time the |
Republicans succeeded in electing majority of the |
obi fhe
election of Aldermen by wards is the fact that the
wards vary much in population Here are some
figures taken from the census of $780, Second Ward
population s.9ss; Fourth, 12,524 Ninth. 1885: !
TENN Csince divided. 1850 If the population OF |
the city we're equally diSr6ated among IRE w1r e
tensive changes in the ward boundaries would be |
eauitable way of choosing Aldermen would he the |
,hd BY Assembly d aseis
made up on fair basis Sa and without
men mems 50 I'll that Board Of Aldermen chosen on that
basis would contain as many members; lacking one
election in spite of gerrymandering twice repeated
the Republicans were able TO elect nine Assembly
men, and would have chosen one more but for the |
shameless frauds in Gravesend On the whole. the |
discussion on of the subec and most probably to a
system superior both TO the present one and the one
provided FOR in the vetoed BILL
The Bridge trustees themselves have taken a |
hand in furthering the proposed investigation by |
requesting the Senate to appoint an Investigating |
committee. This may be merely bluff designed for |
effect on the pending bill. which provides for a
new Board of Trustees. 1t should have effect. |
of course: and the necessity of an investigation |
will not he diminished by the enactment of that |
bill The past at least is--open to question. Mean
books. and will have the accounts carefully gone
over. There are certainly many things which call
possible to spend in the year lSS the enormous
In regard to lighting the Bridge the trus-
tees pursuing their usual diatory policy When
the experiments with gas and improved lamps were
begun a few weeks ago il thought by people |
using the Bridge at night that immediate I'M
provement to be made, and the action Of the
trustees at their February meeting awaited |
with impatence. All they did was to consider the
matter and postpone action for month. The same
day So nothing will be done until the April meet
ing and even II the gas system I5o afPf 66r b
equipped. II is amusing TO see the tuS-
the use of gas will involve when they show not
the slightest regard for economy in other directions
An affectionate tribute was paid the late Dr..
Robert Foster last Sunday by his friend and pastor.
the Rev. Stephen H. Camp of Unity Church. in
the founding of which, twenty-five years ago DR..
Foster had a larger share than any other man.
This church was an ofshoot from the FIRST Uni
tartan Society Ohe Church OF the Saviour in
Pierrepont-st). and was established with the full
consent and cooperation of the pastor OF the latter
DR.. \. p. Putnam Dr. Foster himself has preached
occasionally in Unity Church. in the absence Of the
pastor Mr.. Camp spoke oc Or. Fosters character
in three asDects-his courage, his faith and his
industry. Respecting the last-named quality. he
said that DIR. Foster early taught himself TO be
busy. until length industry became habit OF his
nature. and he actually performed more work after
he had passed the threescore limit than most men
accomplish in the monday of their strength At
the funeral of DR.. Foster the Rev. Mr.. Chadwick
remarked that If memorial window should be
placed in Unity Church in his honor there could
be no question 10 the most fitting Biblical symbol
10 be chosen-it should by all means be the Good
Samaritan.
Fire Commissioner Wurster has made exec
lent selection in appointing James Dale succeed
Chief Engineer Nevins. who recently resigned.
Chief Dale entitled on Civil Service principles.
to the promotion he has received and by expert
ence and ability he Is well qualified for the dutles