New-York tribune., 1896-02-03
THE GREATER NE YORK.
LEXOW'S COMMITTEE EXPECTED TO RE-
PORT THIS WEEK.
MAJORITY FOR CONSOLIDATION IN THE IEGIs-
I.ATURE-GOvERNMENT BY STATE COM
MIssIONs-A SUSPICIOUS ALLIANCE
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.l


ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l
Albany, Feb 2-Senator LeXow, ii Is believed
here will submit the report Of Ais Greater New
York Committee to the Legislature by Wedncs-
day Of the present week There Is no question
that the report will be in favor of the passage
of a bill declaring the union of New-York. Brook
lyn. Long Island City. Richmond County and a
portion of Westchester County into city. to
be known as "New-York.' and that the date Of
consolidation will be fixed at January l, 1895
Senator Brush, Of Brooklyn of course will dis
sent from this report. and SO also may Assembly,
man McKeown. Of Brooklyn, but the majority Of
the committee. from ali present indications, will
favor consolidation They were carefully selected
TO make just that kind OF report. and they will
not depart from the programme.
Judging from careful canvass Of the Legs-
lature Senator Lexow will have little difficulty
in passing the Consolidation bill through both
the Senate and the Assembly. One Of the reasons
for this is that in addition to the Republicans
who will vote for the bill for sentimental reasons
or because they have received orders from
Thomas C. Platt to support 1t. the measure will
receive the votes OF the Tammany Hall Senators
and Assemblymen. who cast the bulk Of the
Democratic vote In the Senate and the Assembly.
The Brooklyn Republican Senators and Assem-
blymen will. with few exceptions oppose the
bill: the Brooklyn Democrats will favor It. Con-
fict Of bitter nature. however. will arise In the
Legislature over the supplemental bills, which, If
is said. Mr. Platt and Mr.. Lexow propose passing
as soon as the Greater New-York Consolidation
act is a law.
These supplemental acts touch the Boards Of
Police, the Boards Of Fire Commissioners. the
Health Boards, and the Departments Of Pub
lie Works Of the cities Of NewYork. Brooklyn
and Long Island City. 1t Is the plan Of the Platt
Republicans to create State commissions 10 rule
over the territory Of Greater New-York in respect
10 the Police Department the Fire Department.
the Health Department and the Department Of
Public Works until the consummaton of consoli-
daticn in 1895
VIII consolidation be effected by 1898? and If it
isn't. will these temporary State commissions
continue on IN existence? II be suspected
measurably that the Platt Republican leaders
of the State think they that 1t will take the
Greater New-York Commission years 10 adjust
the financial burdens of New-York, Brooklyn,
and Long Island City. and 10 DRAW up charter
for the government Of the gigantic city of 100000
contemplated by the act which will meet with
the acceptance Of all the parties concerned. In
the mean while State commissions would continue
in existence and hold possession Of the chief city
departments. Mayor Wurster, OF Brooklyn. has
ALREADY pointed out thdt II tnlS scnelne Goes re-
ceive the sanction of the Republican Legislature
the city OF Brooklyn during his administration
Will have a dual government-One. that Of the
city itself: and one. that OF the State govern
meDt
One of the mysteries OF Greater New-York
legislation this year Is the firm manner In which
the Tamnany Hall Democrats and Mclaughlin
Democrats - Brooklyn sustain Lexow's policy.
How far will they sustain 1t? VIII they sustain
II to the very end-when he begins proposing
State commissions to rule over the chief de-
partments OF New-York and Brooklyn? II they
do, they will turn their backs upon all their
former professions In favor of home rule and
will give good ground for the suspicion that
they have made an alliance With Thomas c.
Platt and 10 receive some share OF the
"swag' when he captures the chief departments
Of the cities OF New-York and Brooklyn.