New-York tribune., 1898-01-01
NET-YORR.

momentous experiment begins to-day with
the birth Of the new city Of New-York. 1t be-
gins under conditions not highly favorable TO
instant success; but while there is reason 10
fear that for at least four years the fruits OF
consolidation win be neither handsome nor
wholesome, II Is consoling to reflect that
period Of time which counts for much IN the
lives Of individuals is only a minute fragment
of the life of municipality. and to hope that
II may be followed by long years Of prosperity
and contentment. 1t is TO be regretted that the
realization Of the project which has been the
subject Of universal discussion Is contemplated
with profound satisfaction only by those who
expect 10 derive immediate personal profit from
the distribution Of an enormous public revenue
There has never been an overwhelming sentl-
ment In favor of uniting the communities which
are merged to-day. In n few ardent spirits like
Mr. Andrew H. Green 1t has inspired deep and
unselnsh devotion, but there Is no evidence to
show that a majority Of all the people con-
cerned have ever shared their enthusiasm.
The important facts In the history Of the un-
dertakng are few and for the most part dis
creditable. The Commission appointed in 1890
to consider the question Of consolidation recon-
mended In 1898 an electoral test Of public feel
ing, but its advice was rejected by the Legis'
lature. Atthe session Of 1894 the proposal was
renewed and accepted, and In the fall Of that
year il was submitted TO popular vote, being
one Of the most important but least discussed
issues Of that complicated and eventful election
When the votes were counted the expression
was found TO be favorable. On this side Of the
East River there was n respectable majority
OF about 81 900, but in Kings County the ma
Iorlty was only 277. and the city Of Brooklyn
as Il was constituted when the submission bill
was passed voted against the scheme There
was no pretence al the time that any definite
conclusion had been reached The vote was
purely tentative and advisory, committing no.
body irrevocably TO anything. At the ensuing
session Of 1895 the Legislature took the ques-
tion UP In n definite form, but on the eve Of
adjournment political complications defeated
the consolidation bill At the session Of 1896
another bill was introduced. Though more in
telgently opposed, especially In Brooklyn,
where adverse sentiment had rapidly developed,
II had the driving power of the Republican ma
chine behind II and was finally jammed through
with the covert assistance Of Tammany Hall
against the judgment and wishes Of the Repub-
Ucau majority. Under that bill Governor Nor
ton filled out a commission Of fifteen, six OF
whose members were designated In the act,
and the Legislature Of 1897 enacted the charter
which had been too hurriedly drafted during
six months Of incessaDt toll. That Is the crude
instrument of government. under which the
new city Of three million inhabitants Is TO be
administered during the next four years by
Tammany Hall through the sinister contriyaDce
OF Thomas c. Piatt
lis n history and q situation which multi
tude Of Intelligent and upright citizens must
contemplate with modification and anxiety. But
tbere WI, BE TO excuse for failure on the
mar, o. any one Of them 20 exercise whatever
,nGaencs ne possesses for the restraint Of evil
tendencies. the Improvement os unfavorable
conditions and the development Of nobler
ct+v than the world has ever known. There
was never ampler opportunity for an 'lustra
zion Of civic virtues 1t is the duty as well as