New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-23
PRICE THREE CENTS,
PROTEST TO THE GOVERNOR.
HE IS ASKED TO VETO ANY FORCIBLE
CONSOLIDATION BILL
STRONG APPEAL OF THE BROOKLYN MEMBERS
OF THE I.EGIsLArURE-sENA wRAY IN
TRoDUCEs A CONSOLIDATION MEAS
URE PROVIDING FOR
REFERENDUM.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

Albany Jan. 22-Governor Morton this AFTER
noon listened TO an impressive protest from the
Republican representatives OF Brooklyn IN the
Legislature, comprising three Senators ana
eleven Assemblymen, against his signing any Dill
for the consolidation Of New-York and Brook
lyn unless the voters Of the latter city nave
chance at the polls to pass upon either the ques-
ton Of union or the Greater New-York charter.
1t seems strange that the Republicans OF Brook
lyn should have felt forced thus early In the
session Of the Legislature to appeal TO the re-
publican Governor Of the State for protection
from an act intended TO deprive them OF their
rights and power. Thomas c. Plat, under the
pretence Of an overwhelming desire to consolidate
New-York and Brooklyn. intends to seize pos
session Of the Police Department, the Health De-
partment and the Fire Department OF New-fork,
BROOKLYN and Long Island City. and his lieu
tenants in the Legislature are refusing to listen
70 the earnest protests of the Brooklyn Repub-
licans Only a Governors interference may pre-
vent this machine" pressure from being sue
cessfu in the Legislature.
Senator Wray talked very plainly to Cover
nor Morton He told him that there was IN
tense feeling in Brooklyn in opposition to
Greater New-York charter being imposed on
II by the Legislature without its consent. He
reminded the Governor that Brooklyn had
large body of Independent voters, upon wnom
tho tics Of party sat lightly. They had voted
for the Democratic party one year and the next
wear had elected a Republican Mayor by 10000
majority He would predict that II the Re-
nublican Legislature should affront Brooklyn
bv imposing a charter on 1t, the Republican
marty would lose the city at the next state
election by at least 10000 majority.
While Senator Wray avowed himself con-
solidationist If referendum on the charter
were granted. Senator Brush openly opposed
any consolidation Of New-York and BROOKLYN
and demanded another vote on that question:
in view OF the fact that the city or broohyn
,tsclf east a vote against the proposition ana
II WAS only carried by the trlfling majority OF
97o bv the vote of the rural towns or Kings
County.
Governor Morton listened with interest 70 the
sneakers He did not commit himseir as 10 ''e
ouestion Of consolidation. and he avoided any
disclosure Of his attitude by saying that the
Legislature must first decide the question:.
Senator Wray to-day introduced his Greater
New-York bill OF last year, which failed OF pas
sage. The bill was prepared under MI. "ras
own direction and x provides for the suoNi'ss'o"
of the charter TO a vote OF the peope "eN' yea
# directs that the Governor shall appoint three
ne consolidated. but outside Of New-York and
p.oov,,.r and the Mayors of New-York and
BROOKLYN are each to appoint three COMMISSION
ors uho together with the Mayors themselves,
are to be constituted commission u Pi'p"
charter for the consolidated city.
Tho Commission must hold public hearings
during tho progress Of their work. and prepare
ard 6le with the Secretary Of State, on or be-
fora Sentember l5 1896 a report to the Legis-
,ature containing n plan for uniting and con-
solidating in ne city, and under such FORM vi
forms OF government as shaH De tAeie,, pio a.
vided for the territory designated IN tie vi, I'm ~
the form OF a charter. The charter mus, plo
,iSe for q Uniform rate Of assessment and tax
alton throughout the consolidated territory, anu
must also make proper provision to' ~ ~ ruhJic
terrupted prosecution OF the class OF puoiic
works in the city OF Brooklyn now WITHIN lne
jurisdiction OF the Department or fuolc Wo,NS
OF that city. The Secretary or State mus So nno
mediately thereafter cause TO be printed iVovoo
conies of the report. and deliver them 10 the
commissioners for distribution IN the tetrltoiy
affected by the bill. The Commissioners are 10
nrepare a synopsis of the proposed chartei
stating briefly the main provisions ana terms " OF
consolidation and cause it to be printed ualIy
in at least five newspapers pupished III :>s"
work and in at least one newspaper pupiished
in Rrooklyn and as often as may be, not Tess
Than once in each week. in newspapers pun
Nshed in the territory affected OUTSIDE OF tnese
cities from October /. 1896 until ana lnciudihs
the day on which the next e"Sui'e ee
ton shall be held. -, ,,, -,
At the next general election there shall be
submitted to a vote OF the "uls quai,.ie q.i
oIactors or the territory affected. the question
~ the acceptance or rejection of the proposed
charter Within ten days after the votes on
the question of consolidation shaH nave " II
canvassed and returned the Secretary or state
shall make and file IN his office certihcate oi
tho result OF the vote of each clty, count; >
village town. or part OF town. lhciuueu WIFI
I'm the proposed consolidation
The compensation of each Commissioner:
other than the Mayors. shall be at the rate OF
sto n day to continue not later than November
/ 1907 All other expenses shall not exceed
$40 600 and shall be fixed or allowed by the
commission. subject to the approval OF the TWO
Mayors The money required 10 meet these eA-
narditures shall be- paid to the treasurer Of the
Commission. one-thrd by the city OF Brooklyn
and two-thirds by the city of New fork
The committee having under consideration the
co,x,,idafion of Ncw-York and Brooklyn de-
cided to-day to hold sessiC ms in Brooklyn on
Friday and Saturday.