Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-07
AWAKE" oVEROtD NETWORK
Mayor Strong Invites Prominent Old Rei-
dents TO the Function.
No Definite Program Yet Devised, but
Promise Made Of Something Emil
nently Appropriate.

The New York Herald Of this morning
says: As the result of happy idea sug-
gested to and about to be carried out by
Mayor Strong. with the assistance Of 9TH
ers, 1t Is probable that the historical event
of the passing out of existence Of the city
of New York and its merging into the
Greater New York under the titles Of th8
borough of Manhattan and the borough of
the Bronx will not be allowed to pass with
out being observed in some formal way
that will mark the occasion befittingly.
The mayor thinks that the proud munich
pality should not be allowed to end it's
existence without receiving some appro-
pirate tribute from its citizens and has
sent invitations to about eighty prominent
citizens of New York in the following
words:
THE mayor respectfully requests your
attendance at Delmonico's. corner 44th
street and 9TH avenue, on Thursday even
ing, December 8, at 8 o'clock. to discuss
the propriety of taking some formal action
regarding the merging of the city of New
York into the boroughs of Manhattan and
Bronx on January 1, 1885,
1T was suggested to me-" Mayor Strong
explained yesterday. by two old friends
who are veteran residents of New York
that we should not let this great city
that has existed for hundreds of years
cease to exist without some special cere-
mony by which to mark its passing away
and being merged into still greater city.
Il was SO impressed with the idea that
l mentioned it at a little dinner given by
Corporation Counsel Scott last Wednesday.
All who were there received the suggestion
with much enthusiasm and approval. 1t
was proposed that call meeting of rep
resentative citizens to formulate the idea,
and 1 have acted on the suggestion.
Il have no definite plan of procedure in
view. although it has occurred to me that
1t might be well to have gathering of
citizens at the Metropolitan Opera House
on New Year eve, a sort of watch night
service, to see the old year and the old
city out and the new year and the new city
in. A few historic orations might fill in
the time from the hour of meeting until
midnight, and these speeches might be
come an important part of the history Of
New York.
Il am, of course, quite ready to receive
a better suggestion, and ! have no doubt
that there will be many plans offered by
which the event will be properly and fit
tingly Observed
Among those whom the mayor has invit-
ed to Thursday nights conference are for
mer mayors Daniel F. Tiemann, the oldest
living former mayor of New York; Frank
lin Edson Smith Ely. Abram S. Hewitt.
William r. Grace, Hugh J. Grant Edward
Cooper and Thomas F. Giroy, Judges Van
Brunt, Daily and Hobrook; Recorder Goff:
Magistrates Wentworth and Hedges. Pres
ident Jerolomon of the board of aldermen,
heads of the various municipal depart
ments, Alexander E. Orr, president of the
chamber of commerce: Darwin r. James,
J. Edward Simmons. Archbishop Corrigan,
Elbridge T Gerry, Henry w. Cannon, w.
F. King. ]. Plerpont Morgan, Frederic r.
Lawrence. II. l.. Burnett. John A. Sleicher.
W. J. Arkell. Seth Low, Whiteaw Reid,
r. c. Alexander. Henry l.. Einstein, Law
renee Godkin, W. l.. Brown and c. c.
Shayne.
Invitations were also sent to the presi-
dents of the following clubs and societies:
ST. Andrews Society, Holland Society, St.
Georges Society, Mayfiower Society, Found
ers' and Patriots Society, Southern Socie-
ty, st. Patrick's Society, New York His
torical Society, Museum of Natural His
tory, Union League Club. Century Club,
Ohio Society New England Society, Lotus
Club, Sons of the Revolution, Sons of the
American Revolution. College of the City
Of New York and the Normal College.