New-York tribune., 1896-01-30

was not the result Of a vote Of the citizens OF
Brooklyn. 1t came from Albany and Is one or the
best charters granted by the Legislature.
i, as citizen Of Brooklyn. feel perfectly wiling
to leave it to the Legisa ture to draft a charter
prefer to have seven men make US charter @
Suppose the charter were submitted to the people;
who would read 1t? No one. 1t would not be
necessary. 1t is scheme to defeat the consolida-
ton of the two cities. and it Is not denied by
those asking for a referendum. Grant this and
you defeat consolidation Those who say the two
cities cannot be Joined ana well governed are
talking in the air They know not that of which
they talk.
"Gentlemen. am NewYorker we'll as
resident of Brooklyn and have civic pride in
seeing a great city by the The two cities
are now Joined in wedlock; do not. then. cut
them asunder Act at once. before politics shall
enter the question You have given this ques-
ton ample consideration: you have treated the
representatives OF Brooklyn with great courtesy
and given us fair consideration / thank you,
gentlemen and would say finally: Act speedily
and observe the Will of the people as already re-
corded al the polls
senator Wray said that he had received dis
patch from the Young Republican Club. saying
that they favored a referendum As expect
to speak in the Senate. when the measure comes
before that body for consideration / nave moth
ing to say at this time" added the Senator.
Senator Wray explained at some length the
bill which he has introduced in the Senate con-
taining a referendum clause.
Police Commissioner Parker, of New-York.
stated that he would answer some OF the argu-
ments the Observation-Disclosures had presented
before the committee at the hearings IN orOOK-
lyn not because the arguments were at all
formidable but because the average man con-
sidered unanswered argument established as
a fact. He particularly attacked the arguments
presented by Mr.. Benedict. He said that gentle
man had stated that 1t would take ten years to
join these two cities. II believe II. but II IS no
objection to consolidation" said Mr. Parker.
THE unifying Of these cities IS equivalent to
the building Of empire. However. 1t is in
evitabe and we must face II squarely and at
this time begin the consolidation which is sure
to come about.
AS to the referendum, he said it was without
precedent and there no necessity which at
this time called for violation of legislative
precedent.
nods's argument that IL was a state vote. In
tended only for the Information Of the Legisla-
ture of 1894 He must have mis-spokc' SAID
Mr.. Parker. "for when the vote was taken the
Legislature OF 1894 had been adjourned for SIX
months" He answered other arguments which
had been presented. and closed with an eloquent
plea for consolidation.
Commissioner Parker was followed by Senator
John McNuty. who desired to place himself on
record as In favor Of Consolidation. He stated
that he was elected on the consolidation issue.
after having refused to sign a prediction pledge
that he would oppose consolidation unless re-
submission or a referendum was granted. Sen
ator McNu,ty declared that he considered the
fact that he was elected on this Issue in a Re
publican district evidence Of the feeling for
consolidation in Brooklyn. lie also stated that
the published statements that the Kings County
delegation in the Legislature was solid against
consolidation would not be realized. for he GER
tainly exception. and Assembyman Eb-
bets who seated at his side could. said the
Senator. speak for himself
Mr.. Ebbets. who thus called upon. assert
ed that he was in favor Of consolidation, but
should charter be submitted 10 the Legislature
which he considered detrim ,ntal to the best In
terests Of Brooklyn. ne should not consider him
self as pledged to vote for II. Assemblymao New
man Of the With Assembly District Of Kings
County. placed himself record voluntarily
a consol!dati tionisi
James O. Ceaveand. Of the League OF Loyal
Citizens. made brief speech before the com
mittee in which he argued that the chief OBJ
jction to consolidation was that the greater
city would be cumbersome and too large to be
we'll governed. This was the objection of nine
tenths Of the members Of the League with
which he was connected.
Albert f. Henschel. the secretary of the
Municipal Consolidation Inquiry Commission
was the last speaker. and he made what was
supposed TO be the final plea for consolidation
before the committee He argued for consoll-
dalton along the lines which he has NAM
tained in both writings and speeches
At the conclusion Of Mr.. HenscheTs appear
Chairman LexOw made the unexpected an
nouncement that another hearing would pe
given in order that the New-York view OF the
case might be obtained. and that TINS nnal
hearing would be held In New-Iork on Satu-
day of this week IN Part ! or the NfIihiii"i
Division Of the Supreme Court. TO when 'hr
committee stood adjourned.