New-York tribune., 1896-02-06
pERILS OF CONSOLIDATION.
coppoR ALTON COUNSEL SCOTT, OF NEW
YORK. POINTS OUT SOME OF THEM

,,r ASKS rtrr, LEXOw COMMITTEE TO Phh'|Ni
n,.r svsrr,, OF GOVERNMENT, EX-
crssrvr TAXATION AND THE INCLUSION
OF TOO MUCH TERRITORY IN
THE GREATER NEW YORK
r., cornoration Counsel Francis s
e1s.t - Eewyorb City. appeared before ths yo'','
,.,,.i,, subcommittee on Create: Ne"
,, oe,or,oon Mr. Scott said he hau couo
.ho r,,sdom and exped!ency Of forming u,e su
vev-yorl. His doubts were as 10 'he 80, w.,
,,v of the scheme for government. ~, oo,
met nv many problems Of government. Inv ,,,nr
trallzng Of authority and hmi'l"s ''' .a,ar,
were the modern means or "'""e'pa >.u,-yor,
If rho LEGISLATURE created this Greater Ne" ~
A. ,,,,o would arrive when the majority VI '"~
,,,o,ure would come from the one ci'y'
co,or rexov said the Constitution pro"'o9'
that Mr. Scott replied tnat the |'"s o.,a
ferrcd to two. counties. Greater Ne" io'n ,,
include territory in three Countess
Mr. Scott said that though he "as "s
Greater New-York he assumed that
ITO, bill would be passed and he wouiu o'iei gus
gestions as TO the government 0A >'
He continued: IT, .,,,o
"The establishment Of this great city VIII reVre
poards Of Supervisors in each OF the couh.ies'
have had experience with the dual FORM Q. eo ,,,
nnent under Supervisors and Aldermen. ihe'' wa
have TO be- perhaps. four District-Attorhe'S az.
four different Surrogates TO serve IN 'he seE.a ,0
counties incorporated in Greater Ne"-io'N' i"'
il another condition confronting you.
,,rbo great city could issue bonds TO the IH.t Vi
N nor cent Of It's assessed value. and the coutes
could issue bonds to the extent OF ~ per cen' VI
their assessed valuation. This would make ~ PEI
cent Of bonds issued and would destroy the u''''s
Of a wise provision. I would advise that the extra
.foc ha n1
territory from the other counties oe "'1- " ~
county Of NewYort."
Would the Constitution allow iha'' sshei "e'-
ator Lexow.
Il see no difficulty in that respect" answered
Mr. Scot, 81 believe the Legislature has absolute
power as to making and remaking counties o, the
State"
As 70 taxation Mr.. Scott said he did not believe
there should be no general taxation III there IS 10
be a municipal marriage. let It be for better or ior
worse Let there be an equal collection Of taxes
except az 10 the Improvement Of the communities
by public works Brooklyn should not be taxed LOT
the Croton water system. New-fork derives an 'nc
benent from the system. The representatives, wno
will govern In the great city Will be rom the 'h'chs
nominated portions which Will not for a long time
at least agree to pay from the general fund for the
development OF the outlying districts Il the Com
mission IL to make laws for the government OF ths
great city YOU should ask the Commission TO submit
a scheme Of taxation. The Commission aiter near
lngs and leberation. Will be able to suomt
scheme OF taxation which Will suit the Legislature
You should leave the Commission as tree IN 'e
matter OF taxation az II IL "a government
referring the two years period to eapse pe,o.e @
consolidation Is cOnsummat"l. Nj. scott hi'i t'i'
there was a small pat OF Wes;caester rounN az az
period between tfr passage OF ne act ana .ie ~
franchises awarded lie said: Il do not charge them
10 he fraudulent, but they are wOnGeriuly ek'raFd-
CANT There should be provision which would pre-,
carr If NJ ut .. ldpSc OF
I'm. bounlaries Of the proposed Greater New
Y3rl; should be contracted! 80 one wants Siafes'
Island in the Create New i.rk sxce2, ,ne peop;e OPP,
who Tg@ a F.hns rrf sHs snd 'S oher % towns ere
chiefly celebrated for their hurting and sporting
facilities ara should aso be ennal; ana Rroos oe
senator Brush asked il the consultation vote Of
iSo' which, ha said. was largely a vote OF sentiment,
should prevail With ihls Legislature. ,.,.
Mr Scott replied the question was one Of esi5a ia
should follow rs own methods ie,ercndum We
tho easiest way ce; I'D OF question lie dld
nj believe the consoi iion vote bound legls!i-
.or Of the present year.
Russell Parker presented the petition Of l3l merl-
bcrs of the Union League CiN5 of Brooklyn IN
'r5llc". " Comm,ssioncr packer. OF New-York coua-
concerning M Scotts suggestions II & W9u,d -, be a
decade he said. before consolidation woulG he peF
f.ctel The magnitude o. the problem had been
duy impressed or the CommIesi6n. He discussed
generally the propositions laid G;Tn Si y NJ t Sfoi II
committee ana In the Legislature.
The Commission intends - do the fair square
lust hing. does ii noi?" asked senator I.exow -,
MI Parker said that So. lie continued; y
bellcve that II the outlying districts are TO receive
benefits ihe.e should be- Uttered out 20 theln. As
10 preventing the localities 20 be absorbed from
making cxtrAvag CANT contracts. believe that some
hing Gould b, pnt IN ths bni. huj don't Sc r."
proper way at pres Mt There should be room FOR
cypans.on Of this great city. - cannot agree mat
,ba Greater New-Nork should only comprise New
York Brooklyn and Long Island 'ity staten
who is made rich"
10 senator Brush Mr. Parker said The Comm.s.
sion had given much time 70 the constellation O!
the question % local government. Senator Brush
asked what was the skeleton in the scheme. sang M
thp, Rrookyn wished 10 preserve her cn2rter, her
fornn OF government and horne rule. He apprc-
beaded that "A subdivision OF the muAcipal govern
mon, anl "A preservation Of local au;oi omy ~oit
ha vha, iRro0kiyn wanted. Mr. afrker SAID mat
information would come In time for ample discus
sion This closed the hearing.