New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-30
THE CONSOLIDATION QUESTION.

In this issue we report the views Of numerous
substantial citizens Of Brooklyn on the CONSOLE
daton question. 1t is obvious that this subject
Will receive early and earnest consideration at
Albany, and there is reason to suppose that 1t
will be brought to the front at once with the
determination that decisive action shall be taken
at the earliest possible moment. Undoubtedly
popular interest in the question Is much greater
in Brooklyn than in NewYork, which is not I'M
natural The discussion there seems to have de-
yeloped several classes Of disputants, includlng
those to whom the idea Of consolidation at any
time is repusive; those who accept the manlIest
destiny theory, but do not believe the time for
union has come; those who hold that the Greater
New-York ought to come into existence forth
WITH in pursuance Of last years popular vote;
and those who personally favor consolidation,
but think that citizens ought to have another
chance to express their wishes al the polls. For
all practical purposes however. the lines are
drawn between Consolidationists and Resubmis-
sionists, though among the latter may be FOUND
some who take that position against their private
nclinations.
The argument Of those who urge prompt and
defnitive action by the Legislature is that union
would be a good thing in itself that the people
have voted for it with full knowledge Of what
they were doing, and that there is neither
necessity nor reasonable demand for second
referendum. They add, moreover, that If two
popular decisions are insisted on there is no
reason why a third should not be ordered in be-
half Of those whom the second did not suit On
the other side it is represented that the nature
of the question and the consequences or the vote
1oc
whether because Of wilfu deception or inatten-
ton TO the actual facts; and that 1t would be
grossly unfair and inexpedient to settle the rate
of a great city irrevOcably upon minute ma
iority Of a small vote at complicated election.
especially since every indication shows that the
opposition has greatly increased It's strength dur
ing the interval. AS proof Of the growth OF anti
consolidation sentiment, It is asserted, truly as
we suppose, that the Brooklyn delegation In the
Legislature will solidly support the demand for
resubmission.
Several weeks ago. after summing up the
arguments on both sides Of this important Ques-
ton, we said that If those who so stOutly assert
that Brooklyn is today opposed to consolidation
were able to make out a strong prima-facie case,
we thought their plea for another popular vote
ought to be granted. We have seen no reason TO
revise that opinion. On the contrary. some con-
siderations have since then entered into the case
which strongly tend to establish the propriety
of resubmission Originally this project Of a
Greater New-YOrk did not contain. or at least
was not known to contain, the slightest infusion
of politics. 1t was advocated and opposed on
public grounds. The only question was whether
by a union of various communities the welfare
Ia lo, +o1 Lotto hac hooo
apparent that political manpulators are eagerly
considering how they can convert the scheme
into an instrument for extending their power
and gratifying their anmosities. In the light
of this disclosure, 1t appears altogether natural
that many good citizens OF Brooklyn should be
loath to surrender the actually Of good govern
ment and the confident assurance Of its per
petuity No wonder that they are alarmed when
they see Mclaughlin Tammany and their Re-
publican allies concerning plans TO rush CONSOLE
dalton through the legislature
The Tribune was frankly and heartily in favor
of the union which the election Of 1894 author
led so long as there was good reason to assume
that that election fairly expressed the wish OF
the communities concerned. Nor have we any
doubt that 1t is the destiny Of those communities
to be organically united at no distant day. But
we are utterly opposed to the tyranncal employ
ment of the opportunity which that election may
have provided, for the sake Of promoting des-
plcable and destructive personal ambitions.
Against such an outrage as that would bean
OUTRAGE which well-informed newspapers and
politicians positively predict-it is the duty Of
honest members Of the Legislature TO provide
an adequate defence. They will probably find
that their safest course is 10 insist upon a resub
mission Of all Greater New York bills to the
people.