New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-22
THE CONSOLIDATION BILL.


been made public as the first fruits of the WORK
Of the Joint subcommittee on the Greater New
Work nroiect is on the surface a comparatively
harmless measure. 1t declares that on ana alleI
the first dav of January. 1898. the territory in
cludcd in the counties of Kings and Richmono
and Long Island City and the town Of Newtown
in the county of Queens shall be consolua'ou
with the city of New-York. 1t provides that the
president Of the existing Greater New-Aork 'oii-
mission. the Mayors of the three cities affected
the State Engineer the Accomplishment anu
nine other persons to be appointed by the Gov
ernor shall constitute commission TO dralt
measures for the government OF the enlarged
city after the consolidation shall nave gone lh'o
effect. This IS moderate measure 1t leaves
the present municipalities as they are. ana car
rjes with It only by implication the changes
which are generally feared as invasions OF the
right Of local self-govcrnmcnt 1t does not give
! the referendum to the people affected whlch the!
have. and we think Justly demanded. AT the
same time It avoids, far rs may be IN Dill
that does not recognize the desire for a vote on
| the main question. the appearance or afpi'raI!
interference with the city governments. TWO
wears must pass before the municipal machinery
70 he created will he in actual operation, and
Il
4 popular demand may cause the Abandonment
Of the whole scheme and the repeal OF the DILL
even should it be passed. The enactment Of the
bill really would accomplish nothing except 10
omen the way for future legislation, either for
the government Of the cities after 1s9S or 10 take
the declaration of union off the statute books
Rut the evils which this bill may carry lie
NOT unon the surface II is what may come after
This seemingly harmless resolution that causes
| distrust II has been the boast of the politicians
who have championcd what was formerly
| sentimental and mercantile cause that theT
object in doing so is 10 grab spells and take re-
venqe ON those who have not been subserVlent
IN them The general expectation Is that on the
nretence Of preparing for the new government
an attcmpt will be made to rule these cities by
State Commissions which will be made to do
tho nolitical work of their creator and continue
IN office regardless Of the will 81 the people over
uhom they rule The cities are not permitted
IN know who are to draft their future charter.
The task is not even intrustcd TO the Commits
sion that has under Il former law given consld-
Grafton 10 the subject but Is handed over 10
NOW Commission which will be dominated by
the nine men to be appointed by the Governor,
with the advice and approval of Thomas e.
Platt They will be devoted to his spolauon
and retaliation scheme. What the Mayors or the
three cities NAV wish will have little weight
Nor is il necessary to suppose that all tampcrns
with municipal affairs will be left to this Com
mission The LEGISLATURE which declares con
sodation may leave legislation for the future
Greater New-York to be drafted by others, but
may easily 90 on to pass bills affecting the pres
ont New-York. and Will have an excuse for in
torforence which it could not have If a prospec-
five change Of government had not been OIL
cially declared.
Indeed the Consolidation bill has no excuse
for being except as it opens the way for o'hcr
LEGISLATION which could not obtain favor on its
. own merits. Why rush blindly into consolida-
tion. anyway: Let the problems 10 be met in
tho Government Of the Greater Ncwfork be
frankly faced and solved. After IA proper char
: tor had been drafted under authority Of the
LEGISLATURE then a time for it to 90 into operation
MIGHT nronerIy be set Fixing the time and lcav-
ing the solution to chance is putting the cart be-
fore the horse And there is noNgood reason for
e il The popular mandate for consolidation about
= which Mr. Leyow Is so much concerned has not
i nrevcnted him from altering the boundaries OF
the new city on which the people voted favor
. obly nor would the preparation for consolidation
before the declaration OF 1t as a future fact have
r violated the mandate in any sense. The real
t. object Of the present bill Is apparently to make
the neople face a DISCRIMINATION Of their gov
ernments as impending. and then under the plea
. OF aycrting that trouble to pass bills which would
have no chance of enactment under usual con
= dItons. Moreover, this fixing Of date when con
= solldaion shall take place without first providing
for its accomplishment opens the way for al
sorts Of frauds. Officials and municipalities
that are to 90 out Of existence have the oppor
tunity to make reckless expenditures which tho
;, enlarged municipality must assume, and gen
y cral invitation Is given to those now In power
70 SOW the wind with a date in sight after which
= others shall reap the whrlwlnd
The men who are pushing this scheme are
. confident that it can be speedily carried ont
. Rut there is reason to believe that they have
Il undertaken q work too great for them. 1t !.
y hardly conceivable that the complicated ques
tions Of law. finance, diversified interests, con
% sttutional difficulties and adequate administra
:, ,ion can be examined into in few months 81
,bot the nresent or even the next Legislature
, can organize a complete system for the govern
:, mont ~ the future city Yet if this is not dom
n practical chaos must reign about New-f orK bay
n Tho law will 90 into effect the cities VIII DecoW
g ono and in spite of all declarations that IN
n Governments go on as they are untll chanseu
n the provisions of the Constitution with regard u
N city and county administration will conilict VIII
10 existing arrangements and result IN an Amos
o. inextricable muddle for the courts II VIII tax
IL time to draft proper charter. The only thr