The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-29
A GIANT cITYs BIRTH.
CONSOLIDATION INTO GREATER
NEW YORK WILL TAKE
PLACE JAN. L.

1t Chooses TO Pursue "a Policy of
Political PIunderinG.
on Saturday, Jan. l. 1898, the consoli-
dation of New York, Brooklyn and adja-
cent territory into Greater New York the
second city in the world in point of popu-
lation will take place. The following inter-
esting facts about this important event are
taken from the New York Herald
Robert A. Van Wyck viii succeed Will
lam L. Strong as mayor of New York and
become mayor of the. greater city. What
ceremony there may be in the turning
over of the Office to Tammany's represen-
tative will be of the simplest kind. Judge
Van Wyck is an enemy of ostentation,
and, according to the plans he has for go
ing into Office, there will be nothing more
than a few words of surrender on the part
of Mayor Strong brief reply by the ex-
ecudve of the greater city, the greetings
of a few friends, and then business, for,
according to the pronouncements of Rich
ard Croker and the new mayor, this is to
be purely business administration
The Inauguration of Judge Van Wyck
and of the entire new city government will
cost just $500. That amount was appro-
prated by the board of aldermen recently
for decorating the interior of the city hall.
More than $500 might have been provided,
but it was all in the treasury that could
be reached.
The ceremonies at the Inauguration of
the lord mayor of London cost $1,000, and
are paid for by the lord mayor himself
This is Just the amount of salary the may
or of Greater New York receives in
year. The parade of military and civic
bodies at a London Inauguration is an i'm
The lord this
occasion rides in a carriage that cost $751;
600.
The following is a comparative table of
New York London, Paris and Berlin, from
recent census figures:
Population-London. 4,463 1853; Paris, g.
5l1 ,629; Berlin, 1,726O9S Greater New YORK.
Area tacres)-London, 1852; Paris, 49,
279 Berlin, 1862; Greater New York,
1876, 800.
parks and Open Spaces (acres)-London,
1915; Paris, 4,739; Berlin, 1851; Greater
New York, 6,5S7.52.
paved Streets (miles)-London, ISIS;
Paris. 6O4; Berlin, 800; Greater New York,
1002.4.
Sewers (miles)-London. $500; Paris. 500;
Berlin, 465; Greater New York, 1,l56.A.
Net Bonded Debt-London, 5000, 0000 600;
Paris, $685. $50; Berlin, $69 ,09S; Great
er New York, $1S5, OS1, 5000.
Annual observation-disclosures, $500
OO0 Paris, $727 700; Berlin. s21. 294, 1888;
Greater New York, s64OOO,OO0.
Water Supply (gallons)-London. 2OS,-
100000; Paris, 196,C0O 0G0;s Berlin, SO,0OOOO0;
Greater New York, $3.50, 10000.
The proportions, of Greater New York
as a civic empire are shown by these fig
ures:
Area in acres, 196,SOO
Votes cast at the first city election,
5S7 IA -
Members of congress }dowen house, DC
Members of the state assembly, out Of a
total of 100, 81. -t'f'
Members of the state. Senate, out of a
total of so, 20
Members of the municipal council, %.
Members of the board of aldermen, 81.
Assessed value of real estate, $2,367, 659,
Assessed valuation of personal property,
$404O01 ,063
Total budget to be raised by taxation,
about $64OO0,O00.
The opportunities afforded to the politi-
cal organization in power for amassing
riches for political or personal use are
almost limitless The application of such
methods as have been employed in New
York at various times in the past would
Yield spells rivaling in magnitude The
plumber of a conquered province in the
palmiest days of ancient Rome.
The charter leaves many of the salaries
which are to be paid still to be fixed by
heads of departments and by the board of
estimate and apportionmet1t. Neverthe-
less, a calculation based on the amounts
fixed and on the salaries now paid leads
to the conclusion that not less than $SS-
100000 will be disbursed annually among
the regular city, county and borough en-
ployes During Mayor Van Wyck,s term
of office 1872 100000 will be paid out in
this way.
Public improvements on grand scale
~
city have been projected. The city govern
ment, wholly In the control of one party,
las, under the charter large powers to
undertake new improvements. The city
IS enormously rich and will grow rapidly
in wealth after the new territory has been
Thought under harmonious rule. This con-
sideration has had and will have stiInu.
lating effect upon plans for improving
and identifying the city.
Contracts amounting to millions of dol
lars have already been let, and others
will be let in the near future. The outlay
in this direction In the coming four years
is likely to approach S2090O0,G00.
This vast sum to be expended in inn
proponents offers opportunity for personal
and party enrichment-should methods
that have been more than once in the past
employed in New York be again revived
never before equaled. If contractors
should be required to contribute per
cent of their contracts and candidates or
occupants of offices the same percentage
of their salaries, IL would mean that a.,
100000 or more year, or Sl600o,0O0 in the
four years, would be divided among fav-
ored ones.
BY such methods under such favorable
auspices IT is possible for political organ
ization in control of the municipal govern
ment to furnish the sinews of war for
municipal campaign; TO create a fund
large enough 70 supply every county in
the state with an abundance of money and
party workers. Such resources expended
in this way would make the political mas
ters of New York men to be consulted In
the selection of national politics. Il would
make them directors OF state politics.
The salary of the mayor FOR four years
at $4,000 year VIII BE- 10000 lie will
appoint the following heads OF depart
unents:
A chamberlain. at $1,000 who viii in
turn appoint q large number Of deputy
clerks and assistants.
corporation counsel $1,000 with as
elstant clerks and subordnatcs.
-Four police commissioner $500 each.
who will appoint a chief OF police at $500