New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-03
MORE INFORMATION WANTED.

MORE INFORMATION WANTED.
THE CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION DID NOT
SATISFY ALL PEOPLE
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Your editorial OF Sunday on Consolidation
is pleasant reading 10 one who holds. as no. ''a'
full investigat ton -of this great municipal ques-
ton Is Of the utmost Importance TO the civic "eii-
being Of all concerned. Mr.. Green's sneer at Gov
ernor Morton's alleged Ignorance" could come
only from whose methods are the antipodes OF
full inquiry. am late-comer to Brooklyn per-
haps. but that does not prohibit from the right
OF such inquiry. SO much by way OF explanations
I have wanted knowledge on this subject. and nave
failed to get any from the source the law PROVIDES
the commission appointed under ;he act OF is"
Chapter 3lD. Mr.. Andrew II. Green is the president
thereof. and a little experience OF my own war
rants the reference I'm making. This distinguished
citizen OF New-York Mr. GREEN has been carrying
the consolidation policy as his own personal ided
for the last thirty or more years. There can De ho
objection to that as far as can see. were IL NOT
also evidence that he deems that that fact Is sum-
cient for the public Endorsement Of whatso-
ever proposition the subject he may present
have citizen well as man OF recognized
intelligence accustomed TO deal in public AFFAIRS
very distinct right 10 crcise the methods OF com
mission OF inquiry which does not inquire. or II IL
does will not accord a proper reply to citizen
asking In a courteous manner for informatioH'
/ found that In 1890 the State Legislature provided
for the appointment OF a commission OF inquiry to
inquire into "the expediency' OF consolidating INTO
city the various municipal bodies organized on
the islands and shores of New-York Bay. within
that State 7 obtained copy OF the act, ana nhd
it distinctly directed investigation and report TO the
Legislature. / found also that the State Engineer
a member OF the commission | wrote that
officer. and also the Secretary of State. inquirng
IL any such report had ever been made. and II so
how I could obtain copy Of the same. | received
In reply a printed circular from the State Engineer
saying my request had been Forwarded to No "a
Broadway. Ncw-York for reply by the secretary Of
the Municipal Consolidation Inquiry" | immei-
lately wrote thereto and have received no reply
whatever. Neither did | receive my 1gst letter
reply from the Office of the Secretary OF state
who, however. courteously answered another III
quiry to the vote consolidation. Now. sir,
the failure Of the commissions secretary 10 answer
a letter at least three weeks old IT, believe. due
not at all to oversight but 10 some antagonistlc or
evasive intention. / took the procauiion TO get
young friend TO write asking for documents on CON
sOida ton. my letter being direct inquiry Tor
the reports required under the hw TO ho made
get reply Ny friend. whose note was general ana
might therefore he presumed to be- that of one favor
able 10 Mr.. Green's consolidation policy. promptly re-
ceved pamphlet containing three addresses or
papers Of Mr.. Green in favor OF conseliia win
copies Of the two acts OF 1890 and 1898 the latter
aath9rizns he recent yois This panphist ~ en-
and on the inside is headed Municipal consoida-
ton Inquiry" There was no inVcstlga lion ami no
report In H. only Mr. Greers labored though sch'l-
ary arguments for consolidation. with this pam.
phlei were t"o others prepared by Mr. Graves 81
Brooklyn. also strongly advocating con ,oiid,lgn.
There was little election paper. headed Inc
Greater New-York Commission dated October -.
signed by Messrs. Green and Sranahan a. president
and vice president ana making an urgent appear
for votes IN behalf N Consolidation.
Now here are two facts: one who writes with
understanding 10 an official peTson charged Win
public trust IS wholly nnanswered while an9'hsr
ton Is al once Answered with arguments Tor that
policy That's fse, No No, The second Is h@ me
sion should be public body OF inquiry into no,
merely body to tena 9 Tt TrI, Tor
such failure TO secure from the commission III"
vestigatIon been held into the "cspcdicncy" OF mn.
nicipal CONSOLIDATION. and 4, 30. has any rcpofi
port should or must have been made before the vote
was taken. Why does not Tho secretary reply
Gated my personal opposition to such consolidation
Is net thc secretary OF the commission charged
make such pI1 inquiries By-ihe-%ay observe fur,
,her that 500 was appropriated for the use OF The
ask what has been done herewith, and II there
Is any public report OF lis eSpcndliurc' Has IT
solidation or has u been spent In the inquiry re-,
Mirh' NOT oiU Goyermor morton isnorance il real
be justified under such policy as the abo'" state
mNnt seems to indicate the existence or
There's another reason why there should be
further inquiry Investigation Viii shor that tho
ma]9 ' q %eH " ,Sa T"i tho ,o
vote In the whole district for ana against consoia-
ton Is over 10000 less than tho fun vote cast for
the Governcr. 1t ls over 21"" less man the regis
tered vote. and the indifferent or silent as 10 con
solidation) vote with that cast against II make
M a majority Ia Ne"-iork 'tiy. either nc
lively or pa ss,ely opposed 10 such policy sub
nit then that there Is iustic" and OF course MS
dom in the course proposed by the Governor. In,
dorsed by Mayors Strong and Schier~n. and now.
am Glad 10 read. strongly reinforced by The Trib-
unc My interest Hes In the fact. repeat that
right municipal relations lie ~ the foundation OF
an orderly administration OF liberty and law
" RICHARD !. HINTON.
Bay Ridge y Y. Jan 6. 49,