New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-27

ing the cities only to get a city larger '"'',
Chicago The consideration Of the question hau
been marked with hilarfty Consolidation had been
spoken OF as the marriage OF Brooklyn 10 New
York. New-York had been termed the bridegroom
with Brooklyn for its bride. the wedding 70 'ahe
place on January !. Such fippant manner Oh taIA-
ing OF so serious a question was GOOD enough ioi
fifteen-y ear old schooboys competing for prize
but should never characterize the consideration or
consolidation by the Legislature of the State OF
New-York
LEGIsLATING IN THE DARK.
Several wears ago. continued Mr. Robbins, a Great
New-York Commission had been created What
had it done? he asked. The bill was drawn in an
odd manner. 1t provided for various commissions
OF which to report on January next Ihe
Commissioners supposed to formulate char
ter. but indefinitely the bill drawn that II
was impossible TO tell what 1t called for. Ii was
possible for an odd condition 10 arise under the
measure. II was possible that while Brooklyn. Long
Island City Richmond County and the towns TO be
Joined to New-York would be consolidated by law
the officers of annexed towns and cities would con-
tinue In office The situation might arise that the
people In Greater New-York would have one city
without a charter. and several charters without
city. 1t would possibly be years before single per-
fected charter could be secured for the entire con-
solidated city. WHAT did the Commission on Greater
New-York propose? The people who favored the bill
Gid not know what they wished ard the Commission
cid not choose to enlighten them
No matter what would result, so far as New-York
concerned II certain there would have 10
be government within government. 1t was clear
that while the legislature might wipe out the city
OF Brooklyn. 1t had power TO dispense with
town. Therefore II the county Of Kings and that OF
Richmond could not be abolished. tho people would
have a county Board of Supervisors working the
machinery of county government. Over all this
would be a Mayor Such condition was as I'M
usual as II was unreasonable. If the Greater New
York bill passed 1t would the Inclusion OF five
district county governments within the proposed
Greater New-York. 1t was undesirable.
The people might accuse him, Mr.. Robbins said,
of bringing out bugbears but the people had once
had example of annexation, when Brooklyn made
Itself larger man in the annexed district found
himself in a condition where he voted for city Of
fcer and county officer at one and the same time,
while the returns Of election filed in different
places
The Greater New-York bill was. Mr.. Robbins
said the tring by the people of the state at large
with 100000 people In the extreme southern part
of the Commonwealth. He expected that the fact
ne had stated regarding the right Of the legislature
to abolish counties would be denied but he would
still it. The Constitution held that one of the
judicial districts OF the State should consist Of the
county Of New-York. How could the Constitution
be carried on; if the Legislature Joined other coun-
ties to New-York? What would become of the Con-
stituton if it to be dsregarded in the way the
bill provided for?
DEBTS AND DANGERS IN PROSPECT.
If the bill should be passed. there was ques
ton that each Neunty had right to bond itself.
and over all this the city OF .Ne1-York could bond
the whole OF them and Itself for larger amount
than each of the counties within it,
1t might be asked Why should member from
Allegany County interest himself in New-Iork?
Simply because it was OF immense interest TO
in no he would joseph
Chamberlain ex-Mayor Of Birmingham, had
claimed that more than 100000 people could
be governed from one head. and he was r-ght.
The Legislature should not deal in uncertainties
1t should be positive that Greater New-iork would
be what was desired before the fiat should so out
1t was not enough 10 say that Greater New-lork
was all right because other cities had annexed
distrfrts The Constitution should be carefully ad-
hered to. Both cities had grown up OF themselves;
both were independent of each other, and each
had corporation which had proven itself salts
factory to everybody.
Unreasonable the claim that the taxes Of
both New-York and Brooklyn would be lowered by
consolidation 1t somewhat similar. this Idea
10 that Of the man who sold goods below cost and
made money because he sold so many OF them
The consolidation would bring about condltlon IN
which only one half OF the inhabitants would know
what was going on in the great ci!y ,,,o.,on
outside Of Greater 'New,York in the. State. would
be about 4.7A.ocD and inside New,York G62'"o;
roverning the whole STATE There no possible
doubt OF this. Within the next twenty years II
question that. seated around the Assembly circle,
there would be eighty or ninety Assembly men from
business Of New-York State. To-day the Assembly
was making history, and there were men IN the
come true II Greater New-York was provided for
Such an arrangement would not eonduce 70 the
best interests OF the State. II the bill passed ana
New-York City had such representation not a
Village charter could be amended. nor could The
Sa- elected
sanction OF such representation.
AN ELOQUENT WARNING.
81 speak for the rural population Of New-York
State" shouted Mr. Robbins he was about 10
close his speech. ''and tbs is my answer TO the
criticism tina, has been heaoed upon me for the
position have taken. What are the rural men,
bers of this State thinking Of when they SIT mere
and vote for legislation which viii cut Their own
He closed his speech as follows: at has been
said that the names Of those who vote Tor TINS
Bill will go down in history. but now clam that
rartisanshp DIES away in the eyerlas ting silence Of
the past then who vote against inns meas 5
and refuse sanction this gigantic wrong VIII De
As the House broke out in applause for Mr. Ko6,
from the chair While he could hope to argue
with such eloguence as had Mt hoDpins s ne
and unjust measure True. there were good men Oh
both sides f h h o the b
scented his constituents In opposing H. Inc Dill
should not be considered party measure brooh-
iyn was able TO take care OF Itself without the as
s,stance Of outside influences The Republican
party had had bad advice regarding the BILL and 1t
should BE hslied.
MR.. MARSHALLS SUBSTITUTE
Mr.. MARSHAL. of Kings. then offered substitute
for the-Cseater New-York bill. 1t was similar TO
the refesSnfIun bill of Senator Wray's. except that
II provided for charter to be submitted to vote
of the people in 1885, instead OF 1897 The object OF
introducing the substitute now. Mr. Marshall said
was to gain time, and the suggestion was approved
by Mr. O'Grady. who said that II was best to Offer
~,,hatitutes and amendments and take vote on
them after the argument on the bill was concluded
Mr.. Marshall declared that he did not propose tt
tire the House with a long argument. II was un-
inst TO steal Brooklyn without allowing her tC
know what she going to get out Of 1t. The
,natortv of 277 In favor Of consolidation was, Of
~osrse decisive but 1t only just that the char
Ter should be passed upon by the people OF Kings