New-York tribune., 1896-01-13

only the professional and business spheres OF
life in Brooklyn. but also all the districts in the
recently extended city The people of Flatlands,
with those of the remotest parts # the Eastern
District and Of NewUtrecht feel just as much
interested in the question as do those IVng on
the Heights
MANY WOMEN INTERESTED.
The question is interesting the women Of
Brooklyn as well the men. Some women are
owners of real estate. some hold stock in business
institutions. and all of them interested in the
results of a good or bad municipal government.
Mrs. Truman J. Backus, the vice-president OF
the Woman's Club, says: II have nothing to say
against consolidation except what has been SAID
a number If times. Brooklyn is a city of homes.
with homogeneous social interests, strongly
marked religious and educational feeling and IN
spring possibilities Of becoming an Ideal Ameri-
can community brooklyn men and women are
essentially patriotic Mrs. Backus says the
tenement population in New-York Is large and 50
are the classes of people in which political self
ishness Of the lowest order nulliiies public spirit.
These facts. she says. are proved by statistics.
and in her opinion ii is obvious that al present a
combination Of the two cities would resemble
that of oil and water. IF consolidation Is ID
take place at ALL" says Mrs BaCkus, 1T can only
be as the result of thoughtful and unselish de-
liberation on the part Of the best men OF both
cities
Mrs. Emma r. PettenGll a member Of the
Board Of Education. says that Consolidation
would be leap in the dark from present agree
able certaintes with present and prospective
reforms and improvements. into the dubious Un-
certainty of a suburb If New-Y York. In tho event
of consultations she thinks. good local govern
ment in Brooklyn would he more difficult II at
tainmcnt than now. # not impossible because
the majority 0f Brooklyn voters who have de-
manded ani do demand, the destruction of ring
rule and hosssm. and who are cleciing clean
men to Office. would be overwhelmed In Tam
many majority 80 that the voters composing that
majority might as we'll never 80 10 the polls.
MRS PETTENGILI's GOOD REASONS
Mrs. Pettengin says: "The intelligent voters
Of Brooklyn might as well be disiranchised. Per-
sonaly | shall never desire consolidation. II.
however. after fifteen months of thought the
majority OF Brooklyn people really want IL. Il IS
their right to have IT, But what shall we say Of
a movement that viii force million people into
consolidation through a techncalitv? IN effort
to do this bears the stamp ~ some ulterior mo-
tive, and sh aul Dee lo .Soi upon with suspicion
/ am only woman. but hay- tried In vain 10
see hoN living could bc any cheaper after con-
solidati7n than now. FOR after all. that is the
question that appeals 10 everybody. II our
houses and environments could hc moved over
TO Fifth-ave. in New-Nork city. We might get
higher price for them. But DO not sec how our
houses and real estate In Brooklyn viii Doe in
creased relatively in value If consolidation were
accomplished. and az course al commercial
values are relative Let Ncw-York first show
fruits meet for repentance ~ taking care Of and
keeping her pledges with the Wcsichrster dis
tri,t before she puts the arm of Tammany around
US and folds a beautiful city to her heart with "A
grip OF possession" "
BROOKLYN SETTING \ PACE.
Mrs. James ecrmgeour. the president Of the
Women's Health Protective Association. says
that sentimentally she is opposed to cons1lida-
tion. but when she hears some Of the business
men speaking of the benefit IL would accomplish
she IS undecided. She Is In favor Of having the
question resubmitted 20 the people of Brooklyn.
although that Is contrary - hcr opinion that a
vote Is vote. AMI This would he establishing 2
precedent. Sh- does not think any charter Of
Consolidation could be- framed that would be- on
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