New-York tribune., 1896-01-14


the meeting and gained. as they would have an
insight into the true feeling of so many Brook
lynites the momentous question, it is doubt
full whether they would have liked TO go back to
Albany and vote under either party banner for
unqualified consolidation. without resubmsson.
The big auditorium profusely decorated
with hundreds Of National and Other flags. ari
IN the Of the stage was large representa-
tion of the city's coat Of arms. On the platform
were the officers of the League Of Loyal Citi-
gems. the speakers and the vice-presdents and
secretaries OF the meeting
A. f. Britton vice-president Of the League
called the meeting to order and A. Augustus Low
nominated as president the Rev. DR.. Richard S.
storrs who unanimously chosen.
BROOKLYN FOR BROOKLYNTTES
DR.. Storrs made a Enthusiastically forceful
and witty speech. which often interrupted
by applause and laughter In part ii
follows:
The question which is before us is of monentou.
Importance, concerning not merely the present OF
S2Gtn Of Oe e with ba is
a preliminary and more fundamental question
0{f city 1Sa sixty & YEARS old and Of o
IS be moved hther and yon by external power
from distance without It's own intelligent and
there can be- bai one answer given by Iar,mnded
here anywhere else Applause) The
few days ago il was vivid with fireworks and
reverDeraiing with cannon because, as was saii IN
government. Vel l make no objection TO thai.
and have no quarrel with IT, II they behave them
great state But here in Brooklyn is population
ssn T1f a5oagh as se married here hare not
Hitherto had the educational discipline of more
than one wife apiece Laughter Is such city
10 be deprived OF selfgcvernment and moved about
by politicians IN Abany as blind man is ,,ls led
think myself there Is some apology FOR that com
parison. but under existing crcumstances the
apology Is due to the dog tkenewed laughter
OF course there could be but one answer II is
and as plain as that this building in which We
assembled Is permanent structure and not
eide own destiny city, and the only pos
sble way to evade that answer is to say as has
the subject and that 1t was a decisive and final
vote OF course the facts with regard to that mat
again In the first Pace 1, M was n9l ,vs vote ana
was vote p1cceded by no public discussion Il
was regarded by many as simply n huge joke, and
matter, in which their opinion would have no eff
feet Under these circumstances men went to the
polls,, which were conducted with confusing sur
iound!ngs and out Of the 1900 registered voters
a majority was claimed Of A7-!ess than one-six'h
OF one per cent and that is declared to be fair
asnd nnsl decision OF The matter on the part OF
y@ gnt @ as m wei adeoa say Una, sne
seniat.on Of the Ridgewood Reservoir. or that g
hil is an adequate representation OF $4,000 in gold
In the bank. 1t Is preposterous. Appause.l
TRICKERY OR AUDACITY
To base the extinction of the corporate life of
Brooklyn majority of 277 In this total vote is
either example OF the utmost trickery or else It
Teaches very nearly the absolute climax OF insolent
audacty. (Renewed applsusc) No. let us have a
fair vote after full discussion. and let that vote
BE- decisive Let US all understand that by IT we are
10 abide
This consolidation Of city OF 100000 people with
city OF nearly 100000 is absolutely unprece-
dented thing 1t has hitherto been done In
the history of the country. Even Chicago, eager
for territory trolley-car lines are for new
streets, has never yentured to propose anything OF
the kind AS have said. II is unprecedented and we
ought ask II IL be wise. Perhaps IL is but II Is
surely question for consideration. We should look
at the question fairly discuss IT integently and
then vote In regard TO IT,
AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
Then there is also the question whether a good
Permanent government is possible in the immense
pie. with a large proportion OF recent immigrants
and into which population the political sewage Of
Europe Is dumped every week. tChcers) As
general thing cities become more corrupt and more
unmanageable as they grow larger. What guaran-
tee have Of a wise and salutary government In
this possible big city? What guarantee have we
mat Tanmany Hall does not become a power again
IN New-York? The prospects certainly point 10 II,
ana we may find ourselves under its domination,
Protesting, perhaps. but with no power OF resisting
IT, daughter and applause)
WORD FOR MLAUGHLIN.
quite understan nd that It has been said that there
would be accruing advantages which would counter
balance the consolidation. 1t is said going
10 have reduced taxation. Well. perhaps do not