Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-01
Senator Plntt's Influence.

While Judge Green may properly be
called the Father of Greater New York."
with its vast territory, and while many
men have contributed to its making, only
ore man has had the power in his hands
to absolutely prevent its contamination or
to bring consolidation about. This man
was Senator Thomas c. Platt. AS the
leader of the political party in power in
the state. whose influence was potent with
the administrations of both Governor Nor
ton and Governor Black. and with the leg
slatures of 1894, 1875. 1876 and 1897. Sen
ator Plat was the absolute arbiter of the
fate of the Greater New York. He took the
high ground that matter what might
be the effect of consolidation on political
parties, it was the duty Of the republican
party to create Greater New York. He
held that the mandate of the people ex-
pressed at the polls was in favor of con
solicitation, and that there was nothing for
the legislature to do but obey. Senator
Platt was repeatedly warned that Greater
New York might be political mistake"
that the city might be democratic. His
answer invariably was that this was
time TO get above politics. and he was in
flexible.
1t is necessary to a full understanding
of the situation by a layman, to look, in
passing at the territory drawn around the
old city of New Amsterdam, the ground
for which originally cost S2i paid in goods;
afterwards called the city of New York.
and now the borough of Manhattan, by
legislative enactment.
The borough of the Bronx is what has
been known as the annexed district and
has really been figured before consolidation
with the old city in matters political 1t
embraces a number of towns and villages
upon the River Bronx, that tortuous stream
which winds in and out among the hills,
without any certainty method in it's di-
rection.
This is perhaps the most interesting
borough in the Greater New York. and the
one which has so far cut minor figure.
This borough contains 26 400 acres, IA, 100
acres more than the borough of Manhat-
tan. Its present population is nearly 300
900. Its assessed valuation is $S46oO, 0lO.
The borough is eight miles wide at its
widest point, from Morris dock to Throgg's
Neck, and about fifteen miles long, For
several years S2,0D900 q year has been
spent in local improvements. All of this
has been assessed. and about the only ap-
preparations made out Of the general fund
have been for maintenance. AS MANY as
1,GoO men have been at work at one time
in laying out streets. building sewers and
in other public improvements. In its en-
glneering department as many as 800 men
have been employed at one time This de-
partment is the largest of its kind in the
world. series of maps have been pre-
pared, which provide for the laying out of
streets, after the style of Washington.
1t will need much money to make all of
the imp 'ovements now contemplated, and
to maintain them after they are made.
sess nents; cash for the second must come
gut of the public treasury.
BrOOklyn's Municipal History.
Notwithstanding the fact that Brooklyn's
existence city began in 1894, and that
for many years ii was the second munich
pality in the state in wealth and popula-
ton, it has always been. in fact, part Of
New York. 1t would not have had n sep
arate being at all had not the Eas river
made 1t detached territory. Now 1t is to
be merged forever with New York Modern
engineering skill will in the near future
practically obliterate the East river as a
barrier. and community of public interest
as well as Of business enterprise will knit
the two old cities closely together. Hitherto
Brooklyn has been a part of New York
only, but hereafter New York will be a part
OF Brooklyn. and the union will become
reciprocal.
The borough of Brooklyn is the second
in area of the Ave boroughs Of Greater
New York. 1t contains 42,O95 acres. or
nearly three times as many as the borough
OF Manhattan. The borough Of Queens,