New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-17
PLAYING FOR BIG STAKES.
MR. PLAT7,S GIGANTICSCHEME
WHY HE MEANS TO FORCE THROUGH THE
GREATER NEW-YORK BILL.

,yN as HE NOW CONTROLS THE LEGIsLA-
TuRE THE REPUBLICAN MACHINE
THE CANALS AND THE CIVIL
SERVICE COMMIssIoN-soME
PERTINENT THOUGHTS
FOR VOTERS AND
LEGISLATORS
Albany, Feb Is (SpecaD.-That the Greater
New-York Consolidation bill will become a law
there is little doubt. Mr.. Plat has the votes
and he purposes utilizing his strength. This is
said after careful examination of the situation
II reflects the opinion Of the best-informed men
on both sides Of the question in the Legislature
Not only Is this true but there are reasons. and
excellent reasons too. for saying that the good
DC ople Of Brooklyn and New-York who predict the
defeat Of this bill by the veto of Governor Morton
ere taking for granted more than is conceded
here by well-informed Senators and Assembly
men. In other words the creation of the great
municipality at the mouth of the Hudson on
the lines proposed by Mr. Plat is neither impos-
sible nor improbable
To appreciate fully the gravity Of the situa-
tion an analysis Of its elements may be neces-
sary. First in order is the Platt plan itself. Ihis
Is exceedingly clever So skilfully devised Is IL
that not one man in hundred who mas looked
into the subject grasps the most serious FEATURES
OF It, Seldom has an important question peeh
handled more cunningly. Mr.. Platt has aVaiieo
himself Of forces-ke The New-York World
for example-that would be naturally opposed 10
him. but which are led 10 espouse tnis cause oe
cause OF their failure to see how he Is employ
ing them and a sentiment which may De termed
popular to carry out one OF the most Caring
nrotects that he has ever undertaken throughout
t;s long and checkered political career.
WHAT PLArTs PLAN REALLY IS.
As has been previously pointed out, Mr. Platt
,ouv controls the state government and the
Republican State machine. There are lnoe-
nendent elements in the Legislature. but the
storm centres Of opposition to his sway are sui
mostly confined to New-York City ana BROOK
lyn Kings County has thrown on MS yoke.
The Republican County Committee there mas
been organized regardless OF his wlshes' his
forces. under Worth. were beaten. Some OF MS
ablest Heutenants. in consequence OF his treach-
cry toward them. refuse to follow him any
further The full significance OF this statement
will be more apparent as the campaign against
him advances. He has, however 1t is asserted
made an alliance Of some kind with Mayer
Wurster and hopes by means OF IL ana thiS
consolidation project to regain some OF 'he
ground he has lost. Through frauduient en-
ro,ment he succeeded in maintaining control in
New-York County. But in spite OF the gro
tesouely faint hearted qualities and short-sight-
edness displayed by few of his enemies there'
ne knows perfectly we'll that his power in New
York County as in Kings. Will soon be ended
unless extraordinary measures are taken to
nreserve IL. These extraordinary measures he
nronoses to take and the chief Of them Is the
consolidation scheme.
The term consolidation. as applied to his plan.
q. q m,snomer Consolidation In its fullest and
hest sense as advocated by the sincere friends
OF ths ,A<a he cares nothing about. In reality,
q, ~1t be shown, he Is against IT, and just now 1t
4 simply e. means to an end, popular current
that will enable him to carry into erect the
boldest proposition he has yet put forward
that of governing NewYork City. Brooklyn and
the other cities and towns that make up the
broposed metropolis, by State commissions OF
his own appointing. This is his real purpose;
everything else leads up to. or is incidental
to, 1t.
Little is said about this. the vital part OF the
project, now. except in a guarded or misleading
way 1t would be impolitic to do otherwise MI
P1att knows his ground perfectly. He is taking
no rash steps He knows that Governor Morton,
who declared himself in his message year ago
less the people Of New-York and Brooklyn
wanted it, was just pronounced In favor Of
Civil Service Reform and then appointed Cobb
and Lord He knows Furthermore. that If he
should bring forward these State commission
bills at present, rebellion would follow in the
Senate and Assembly. Even caucus law would
fail so he proceeds cautiously. He presents one
thing at a time
THE AFRICAN IN THE FENCE
The bill offered by Senator Lexow on January
q is apparently, harmless measure. II pro-
v,des simply for the consolidation OF the two
cities two years hence, on January i, 1898 Mean
time a charter providing for the government Of
the new municipality shall be prepared by the
Consolidation Commission. appointed under
Chapter 81 OF the Laws Of 1890. and submitted
TO the Legislature for enactment All this would
seem to be within the limits Of propriety 1t Is
only when Section OF the Lexow bill is scrutin-
ized that the political significance Of the measure
is disclosed. This section provides that, for all
PURPOSES the local administration and govern
nent Of the territories enumerated In Section
of the act shall remain in. and be performed ana
exercised by, the respective bodies politicai ana
corporate to which they are now intrusted, uh-
til and except so far as hereafter changed oy
authority Of law" In these quoted words lie the
whole iniQuitous scheme. Through them Is the
way for supplanting the local government In
New-York. Brooklyn. Long Island City and the
other towns with commissions made up by Mr.
Platts henchmen.
While ostensibly of little significance, and
withal. a measure In harmony with certain
amount Of genuine wholesome public sentiment
this Lexow bill is really tine foundation OF the
whole structure that Platt intends to erect upon
the ruins of the existing local administrations
of New-York and Brooklyn. 1t is the entering
wedge. BY 1t he will. II unchecked. obtain as
complete and iniquitous control Of New-York's s
city government he has secured of the Re-
nublican machine there Let no mistake be