New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
GOVERNMENT OF BoRoUGHs.
Reasons Why Residents Outside of Manhattan
Want Present System Retained.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Most of the editorials which have com
mented upon those provisions of the proposed
charter. which sent to the Legislature by the
Charter Revision Commission on Monday last,
which curtaI the powers of the borough presidents
assume that residents of the outlying boroughs
insist upon the retention Of borough government
unreasonngIy and unreasonably; that the matter
is one of sentiment only and that there is no sub
stantial reason back Of il.
| write assure you that such is not the fact
Your experience of life has undoubtedly shown
YOU. as il every other thinking being, that
where there is almost universal opposition among
the people 70 any proposed measure of government.
such opposition is invariably founded on some real
and usually satisfactory reason
In this matter of borough government there IS a
substantial reason why the residents OF the various
boroughs outside Of Manhattan vigorously and
practically unanimously opposed to the suggestion
that their borough representatives should be shorn
Of their powers. and that the powers which they
deprived OF should be conferred upon an official
10 be appointed by the Mayor. This reason Is that
the bor0ughs. with the exception Manhattan, are
largely undeveoped large in Brooklyn,
Queens Richmond and The Bronx little more
than rural communities with the land in farms or
large tracts, which have not yet Seen subdivided
The cost OF improving this property is met by
assessment upon the property to be improved.
These Improvements consist or occurring title. reg
ulating. grading. curbng. sidewalks and sewers.
We residents OF the outlying boroughs are spend
therefore, anything surprising in our nsistence
that should have something 10 say to who
shall spend the money for and how II shall he
spent. and that do view with great favor
the thought OF having a commissioner, appointed
by the Mayor. who will be beyond reach and in
different to opinion spend hard earned
dollars?
The situation be made clear perhaps to those
not in the same boat with by Illustration Sup
pose YOU. Mr.. Editor Of your readers. were
lf T. lie G.N-
You pay your rent TO the landlord and then desire
10 expend some additional money in furniture. The
landlord says you cannot buy your own furniture,
but 70 give the money 20 him and that he will have
some one buy the furniture for you. Your natural
response would he that you pay rent to him.
and properly. and that with the rent IL his
duty 10 keep the building in repair TO furnish
light heat water and service and everything that
pertains TO the maintenance Of the building gen
orally. bur you would very naturally insist buy
ing your own Il rnture suit your taste. as
10 live IN the and would certainly not
want TO trust 70 any subordinate OF tho landlord
&" do yorr buying for you; but suppose the land
lord we're 90 say. II you do not like the man 1
select. / remove him
This is assurance TO the fiat owner. the
landlord may exercise his power Of removal, or
If h" docs, may do only after your money has
been spent and you louded with his taste in
furniture. some may say, But YOU surely
would not allow the tenant improve his apart
mcnt as he saw ~. though his Improvements
might damage the appearance Of the building? That
is certainly valid objection, but il Is already pro-
yided the fact thar under our existing sys-
the boroughs make no local improvements
without approval of the landlord Uhe ctty). for
every local Improvement has To be submitted To the
Board of Estimate AMI Apporti0nment. and ap-
proved by II before IL can be undertaken.
The opposition OF the boroushs IS not mere
provuciasm and hostility centralized govern
mont We appreciate the benefits derived from
Cenjraiizatiou in certain departments as for in
stance water supply. fire, police. street cleaning
ana bridges and have objection 10 the city
spending the moneys derived from general taxation
for general PURPOSES The time may In the
not distant future when the bOroughs being built
up like Manhattan and having longer need for
local improvements can become in fact. as well as
name. the city Of New York but that time has not
yet come, w W NILF-7'
New York March 10 1863