New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-21
CONSOLIDATION OF TIE CITIES.

The pcoplc ~ the metropolitan district voted
last November in favor Of constellation yea
and-nay vote was asked for. and the yeas had
II by large majority in Newiork AMI small
one I'm BROOKLYN. The Legislature has received
from the electors Instructions which Ought not
,o b. dsregarClcd Decisive action should ID"
,oton during the present session on this I'M
norrant subject. upon which the people have
EXPRESSED n deliberate opinion. Inc Schat"
committee only wastes time when IT allows the
opponcnts Of consolidation 10 deliver long Ia
rangues on the general proposition, and 10 as
sumo arrogantly that the people have changed
their minds since November. II the Greater
Ncw-Yorlk scheme was sanctioned by The "lrc-
tors when the misgovcrnment Of this town was
exposed by the Lcxow investigation. 1t would
now receive "A much larger affirmative vote with
Reform Mayor in office and honest admin
istrarion in plain sight. The Senate committee
may safely take il for granted that coiI'olida-
ton is stronger today than II was four months
AGO The obstrucionsis ought 10 be- thrust
aside and practical measures adopted for carry
ing out the will OF the people
There are two bills now before the Legislature
which can easily be reconcllcd. The LcAow bill
provides for the retention OF the present Con
solidaton Commission. with the Mayors 81 New
York and Brooklyn as additional members, and
authorizes the preparation Of "A charter for the
new municipality. the sum OF S2o,OOo being APP
propriatcd for the purpose. The Reynolds bill
proposes Il new commission of nine three to be
apponted by the Governor. three by Mayor
Strong and three by Mayor Schiercn. The sec
ond measure is supposed TO represent the views
Of the Governor and the two Mayors, but it
is not probable that these three distinguished
officials are bent upon discredting the old Com
mission. which has done much useful work.
Mr. Green. Mr. Sranahan and their associates
have served without salary, made close study
Of the whole question. and succeeded III obtain
Ing last November a vote Of conhdenc" from the
electors of Greater Ncw-York. We can readily
understand why the Governor and III" Mayors
| are anxious 10 have new blood in III" commits
sion: but We cannot believe that they VIII insist
upon the retirement Of the old Commissioners
in undeservcd disgrace
A compromise might readily BE- effected. The
old Commission might be- retained and then en-
larged through appointments 10 be made by the
MAYORS OF the two cities. Those officials are
too closely occupied with their public functions
to serve upon the Commission themselves. but
they could properly he armed with authority 10
appont new members. II Is not necessary 10
attach salaries TO these offices. as l. propoSeh
by the Reynolds bill Mr.. Green and his col
leagues have done excellent work without sala-
ries, and ought not 10 be legisated ont or office
and suppancd by salar0l Commission. when
will have everything TO learn. Senators LcAow
and Reynolds after an hours frank talk ought
10 be able TO agree upon a measure which VIII
he Just to the old Commission and satisfactory
| 10 the Governor and the two Mayors
| Something has been said about The injustice
Of forcing consolidation upon Brooklyn In the
dark. and the necessity has been urged Of safe
guarding its interests by referendum clause
providing for the submission of the proposed
charter TO another popular vote. We do not
understand that anybody in the Legislature Is
prepared 10 vote for Il Greater New-York char
ter without knowing with precision how con
sodation is TO be brought about. Nothing will
be done arbitrarily or without full publicity.
| When the scheme has been worked out in de-
| tail the Legislature can provide for second
| popular vote. if there be any marked degree
| Of public opposition to the measure. With an
equal tax rate as the fundamental principle Of
| the BILL we have never believed that any strenu-