New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-13
CONSOLIDATION AND THE PARTY.

CONSOLIDiTION AND 1HE RAM.
The Tribune has frequently pointed out the
evils which might come upon the party If the
Republican majority in the Legislature persist
cd in the policy announced by the leaders of
forcing local legislation on the cites which cluS-
ter about New-York Bay rcgartll IS OF the oph-
Ion Of the citizens who dwell in them. The man
ayers Of the consolidation programme have been
loath TO heed that warning They have been too
intent upon carrying out their own schemes,
upon rcyencing themselves for the course of
nuhIic servants who would not turn over TO them
for spo,ls the city governments of New-l DIX
and BROOKLYN. and upon graSping immediate
nlundcr IN stan 10 consider the ultimate effect
of their actions on their own and the pdr'ys
fortunes The resolutions Of the Hcpuhlican
General Committee Of Kings County on Tues
day evening protesting against being arDitiariLy
derived Of their rights of sclf-governmeht ana
being compelled to plunge bllndly INTO UNION
the terms of which are yet uniormlllltcd. may
pcrhaps bring these persons to reallZna sense
Of the dangerous ground on which thN are
trcodinr: nossbv have produced that effect al
roodv for Senator Icxow announced Yesterday
that Tho consolidation bill would he sent to the
MAYORS Of Ncw-York. Brooklyn and Long
Island City, TO be approved or vetoed 1t
is bad enough policy from politicai point
OF view for q party to Interfere III Iocal III
fairs arbitrarily in violation of the wishes OF
the sober sentiment of the opposition IL Is
mich more foolish to do so in antagonism to the
demands of the party's own supporters.
Three wears ago Brooklyn was in the hands OF
tho MCLAUGHLIN Ring and New-lork State was
undcr the domination of Hill and Murphy. Con
fdent Of their ability to retain power by the aid
of rerrvmanders and stolen Senate seats these
Democratic leaders proceeded to tampcr with
city governments. force new charters upon th'm
and regulate affairs generally with high hand
brutally Indifferent TO the criticism oi hepuo
licans. cynically c0ntemptuouS toward III" pro-
tcs1s of honest Democrats. They were so llrHllA
intrenchcd that they cared mol for pubic '''i
ing. But popular resentment swept them -
utterly away that they are no longer u cFld'h''
except rs the occupants of few lonG-tr'm
Offices In the Republican victory of ~" Brook
lvn had an important share Since then the
party in Kings County. which formerly sr''N''
a hopeless minority. has been strengthened ms
lust won another victory. AMI Will proper man
ascmcnt may convert Brooklyn from an almost
surely Democratic 20 naturally KepuphcAh Guy.
Tho WAY TO accomplish that end is 10 consult
thc wishes Of the electors not to ride over them
rouchshod The Republican organization mas no
mortgage upon the voters Of brooklyn which VIII
compel them 10 give II elections regardless 81
the way they are treated.
Perhaps the present Republican leaders IN ms
State think they can get along without the vote
OF KINGS County. or think that Brooklyn people
in fl.tr demand that they have
a voice In the determination of their own future
municipal government. II they hold the first
daluson. let them give little study 10 election
rrturns and note the influence which the voice
Of Kincs has had IN determining Nlii'nal -
wei as State contests. If they hold the second
dclusion. Let them read the General committee
resolutions and find ont who those are who
adoptcd them with practical unanimiiy Inc
men who made this protest are not Democrats
nor Mugwumps nor anti-conSOlid1tioniSi'. nor
factionsts. nor anti-Platt men, nor dilci'anteS
in notifies They are the official representatives
or the 50. 900 Republicans ~ brooklyn. tn" Gen
cral Committee Is popular body. lis members
are practical men In politics and business. Their
party loyalty cannot be questioned. Now mat
they have unitcdly proclaimed the views # the
Republican party of Kings County tho R'pub-
lean leaders will be well advised 10 heed them
Eighty thousand voters are worth col sidcring
from a mere party poh Of view.