New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-16
THE CONSOLIDATION QUESTION.


The Greater New-York question is coming
rapidly to the front as the date for the assem-
bling Of the Legislature approaches, and it is
sure to be taken into consideration at Albany
in some form in the early days Of the session.
1t is already announced by or in behalf Of those
who profess cheerful confidence in their ability
to control the Legislature that a bill accom-
plishing at least as much as was provided for
in the bill which was beaten by one vote at the
end of the last session will be introduced at
and passed in due time without difficulty. But
this is pretty large problem, and we do not
believe that it is at all likely to be settled off
hand. In the first place, it will encounter an
extremely positive and active opposition from
Brooklyn-an opposition which may not include
a majority Of Brooklyn people, but which, we
are led 10 suppose, will be represented at AL
bany by the solid Brooklyn delegation in the
Legislature. If this proves to be the fact, 1t
will not only be significant of present popular
feeling across the East River. but 1t will inevi-
taby have considerable effect upon the for
tunes of any Greater NewYork bill.
The Tribune has recently been asked to ex-
press It's present feeling concerning this ques-
ton of consolidation. and we have not the slight
est objection to doing We print this morn
ing letter from the president of the League OF
LOYAL Citizens Of Brooklyn, which sets forth in
an impressive manner the arguments in favor
Of resubmisslon. We frankly acknowledge that
they have much weight whether or not they
are as conclusive Of the whole matter as Mr..
Redfeld supposes them to be. His statement
OF the number Of names upon the roll Of the
League and the quality Of It's membership. even
if it be exactly accurate. does not necessarily
possess all its face value. Subscription lists
which do not call for money are easily swollen
to great dimensions, as long experience has
proved. and numerically may be exceedingly
formidable without expressing any great volume
or warmth of genuine feeling. We do not say
that this is true Of the membership Of the League
in Brooklyn, but we cannot be sure that the
number Of names carried upon its roll is a con-
vincing factor in the discussion. Intrinsicay
more important TO the case Of resubmission are
the arguments that a year ago the majority In
favor Of consolidation in Kings County was only
277 that in the city Of Brooklyn, as it was con-
stituted when the act authorizing the vote was
passed. there was majority OF more than 900
against consolidation; that for several reasons
the electoral test Of 1894 was not a fair test;
that various influences. including the recent
success of Tammany in NewYork, have since
strengthened the feeling in Brooklyn against an
organic union with this city, and that numerous
BROOKLYN voters who believed that there would
be another chance TO express themselves at the
polls before any decisive step could become valid
now demand that chance as a right. From these
and other considerations their conclusion is
that it would be wrongful and cruel to settle
irrevocably the fate of a great community, in
pursuance of such vote taken under such cir
cumstances.
On the other hand 1t should be acknowledged
that prior to the election Of 1894, the subject
had been long discussed, and that 1t was sup
posed TO be well understood by everybody until
the result Of vote which was unwelcome to
many suggested the argument that its signif-
canoe was not thoroughly comprehended. 1t is
also right to remember that. whereas the oppo-
nents of consolidation without another voTe
upon the question are aggressive and conspc-
uous, those who are arayed upon the other side
have little to say, perhaps because they think 1t
unnecessary to renew an old discussion. Last
winter The Tribune held the view that the previ-
Gus referendum had practically settled the ques-
ton in favor of consolidation, and therefore that
a bill carrying out the simple purpose of that
ion then that If complete charter were drafted,
to go into effect in full at any specified time,
the people ought to have q chance to express
their approval or disapproval Of it at the polls;
and that similar opportunity might properly
be afforded them in connection with any vital
details of union. in case the Legislature should
determine TO accomplish consolidation by sue
cessive steps To this opinion we adhere and
we will go further than this by saying that If
the advocates Of resubmission are able to prove
conclusvely before the Legislature the claims
which they now so positively advance we shall
be in favor Of giving them another chance to
vote upon the question.
We freely acknowledge that the scheme pre-
sents itself to the people Of Brooklyn in some
what different light from that in which il ap-
pears TO citizens of New-York. New York, in
case Of union. would retain its name and its
identity. Brooklyn would lose ultimately.
if not at once. We do not think there is in this
city any present purpose to annex Brooklyn
against its wishes We had supposed hereto
fore that the desire to unite with us had been
substantially manifested. We are entirely will
Ing now that the rcsubmissionsts of Brooklyn
should have an ample opportunity to convince
the Legislature that this is mistake and If
they prove their case that they should attain
their object.
TURKEY AND THE JINGOES
There is a monotony OF horror in the news