New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-24
ITS EFFECT ON THE LEGISLATURE.
CONSOLIDATION LIKELY TO VEST THE ABSOLUTE
CONTROL OF STATE AFFAIRS IN THE
REPRESENT WIVES OF THE


CONTROL OF STATE AFFAIRS IN THE
REPRESENT WIVES OF THE
GREATER NETWORK.
Robert D. Benedict the lawyer, who made
ooncededly effective argument before the Legs-
lative Committee. said last night:
The more the matter OF cons olidatlon Is studied,
the more do new and important questions come Up
for consideration. l wish 10 present one which
think has hitherto almost entirely escaped atten-
One Of the most prominent Of the constitutional
was IN the adoption Of the following clause in the
togTh section Of the 'IFa thereof as now
organized which are adjoining counties, or which
a5 se ,bao S Of y all P4 iSe
In reference 10 this provision. the address to the
people issued by the delegates TO the Constitutional
Convention used the following language
Before another Constitutional Convention pre-
e eit tf y re and Bookh or the create
e CT ne ora ~ ,heT qh he a T IF h
TEN continues. they Will be able 10 elect the Cover
and majority OF the Assembly. Both by force Of
numbers and by the multiplied power of compact
yss rom s snre County responsb to Single
local political organization they VIII be able, abso-
ys.t rsgjon ex,ending from the city Of New-York
10 the ST Lawrence and Lake Erie. with its varied
Understood by the Inhabitants. Of the city, TO sub
nj; 70 such domination? Would such an arrange
ment concuce TO the permanent welfare of the
the provision Which Which secures to the whole stat
side Of the city a bare half Of one house or me
Legislature. leaving TO the city such control az us
numbers may give over the other house and over
the Executive Department, Is slender enough
safeguard against unfortunate a result
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE SENATE.
II is interesting 10 what effect upon the stu
alton here portrayed IS likely to result 10 the people
Of the rest Of the State from the consolidation OF
New-York and Brooklyn.
The territory Of New-York and Kings Counties
which were the two counties intended by tnat pro
vision OF the Constitution mad population IN y. ESQ
Of 1851 and in 1890 2$S$ss an increase aS Of a.
Si5 further increase Of 4l3 ls7 AZ that Of in.
c zoo With WV voing ing populStoh Of about 100 M
They Would then be entitled 10 one-half the Sen
County should have increas so as TO entitled
two Senators one Of the districts would almost Ger;
sroxyh 9 s popuson of that part Of the county
limits cf %hsa 20 The
the first district. II he lived In klcAmon3 Go1ny'
and so would almost certainly be the Senator from
II is almost certain. therefore, that Y consoIiaa-
ton takes place proposed. a clear majority OF the
nent be citizens Of New-York City To use the
words OF the address. "by force OF numbers and by
cobesons among the representatives, from a single
city responsible TO single poEucai ITgbniZaue, rn
sn Of the stat and The ,s sfHS. Td
quoted Will be utterly destroyed
STILL WORSE IN THE ASSEMBLY.
In reference 10 the Assembly the IS still
worse The territory Of New-York and Kings
Counties will then If 1t increases In population as IL
has hay. an absolute majority Of the 10 members
Of the Assembly, without including those members
OF the Assembly. which. nomnally coming from
Queens. Westches,er and Richmond counties, VIII
really be within the limits OF the consoHdaleu CITY
and will look to the city for inspiration and dircc
ton.
The Constitution provided only slender safeguard
against domination OF The whole STATE Wy ''e
~
not consolidated city. there IS more possiD,i.
OF division Of opinion between theii & ~ a..
tives on questions which concern the resi- Oh ti'e
State. And those Senators and Assem- ilen W.
think OF voting In favor Of consolidation wouIo 10
well TO pause and reflect before they determine 10
do what will surely increase the power or me ."o
cities ard diminish the power OF the ruraI uistiiS'a
10 such degree that ten years VIII see NE
OF power transferred from the rural districts 10 Inc
one great city Of New-York