New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-03
FAvORING THE BOROUGH SYSTEM.

FAvORING THE BOROUGH SYSTEM.
THE LESSON OF THE NORTH SIDE or NEw-YoRX
CITY APPLIED TO CONSOLIDATION.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: 1t r. to be hoped that the action OF the Great.
New-York Commission in falling TO instruct 10
Committee on Draft in favor OF a liberation OK ,
boroughs after the London city government pan
does rot represent the settled or definite Judgment
Of the Commission. Because. II a model charter IL
10 be the result Of IT'S deliberations such sys-
tenn Will have to be resorted TO- As well might x
be expected to have all OF the great cities OF tho
State governed at Albany by representatives. elected
BY each and dispense with the local authorities ~
10 attempt TO govern the widely separated COM
munities comprised within the limits Of Greater
New-York each with its own peculiar needs, by
Capitalization of power at the New-York cry han.
The experience OF the North Side Is an example OF
VIVA, Brooklyn. Long Island CITY and Staten lslano
might expect in the way OF disagreement oy CEN
trazatlon. When. in 1874 the great territory nora
Of the Harlem was annexed to the city OF New
York. Subject to the same laws. ordinances resu'
lat.ons obligations and Liabilities. entitled 10 me
same rights. privileges. franchises and immunHes
in every respect and 10 the same extent as II suc
territory had been included within the city and
county Of New-York at the time OF the grant AMI
adoption Of the first charter and organization theTe-
Of" the citizens Of the various towns and villages
looked for betterment OF governmental CONDITIONS
But never were people more soreIy disappointed
Their wants were ignored by the city authorities
nacessar ~ improvements were denied them. and FOR
sixteen years they suffered from state Of affairs
deplorable In the extreme. due 10 ignorance as 10
local requirements on the part Of the city officials
Matters finally became SO unbearab.e that senate
investigating committee was appointed, as resuIs
of whose report a Department OF Street Improve.
menss was created. having under its jurisdiction me
opening regulating grading sewerng and paving
of streets IN the territory north Of the Harlem
Several hundred thousand dollars have recently
been spent on a building for tn.s Department ia
Crotoua Park. Thus brought 70 pass ior tt!e
North Side precisely what Is pH'csti D! MT Do
Witt in his borough system, nous't ai'er 80
ye,tries and district boards of London, wnich
have charge OF local street improvements Inc
recent commendabe act OF superintendent toii'
stable IN establishing North siue IAN" 81 -
Department of Buildings is recognition OF this
principle as Is also the subdivision OF the city mo
districts or sections" each with rs separate ONCE
bv Commissioner War.ng, whose admirable organ.
zat.on of the Department OF oTeet Siea'"s II III"
universally recognized -..t-..
Sceaklng for the North SIDE. there Is not cf.izen
Of thar great section. comprising two-tnrds OF mo
citv's area who would think OF asking Tor re,utn
10 'c.,traiization The local department has dons
moro IN five in every Dranc1 OF puohV IN
n,nvsments than was accomplished IN the seNeI'-
teer wears OF government by central!zat ION ~
assessed valuation of property mas Increases w. ~
derrIiv and the growth Of the district has been py
great leans and bounds. where under me olu o'"V'
~ things Il remained almost AT a standstill
comrris.nc Greater New-York. II justice r. 70 10
dons Isl there he one Mayor and Conn,-n
Comrcr having charge Of all matters CT genei" M
terest, but fer local improvements am arr, nsnnmnr
,nre nd prove m ,re acceptable 10 the peS'ie in'fS
convenlen, for the transaction or pu' ,eSs 80
nearer the ideal OF what Greater 1r,;r !, D,yis
nuarrts Heights a. v June %. 1896