Year: 1873

THE SCHEME FOR ANNEXING BROOKLYN TO


HEW-YORK-A PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE COM


MISSIoN-vIEws OF A BUSINESS MAN.


The movement for the annexation of Brook
lyn and this city still active among the leading resi-
dents of the former city At the first meeting held Two
or three ago at the house of s. b. Chittenden
Committee Of two appointed with power to add to
their number 10 ascertain the views Of prominent prop
erty owners Of both cities the subject and TO devise
the methods for securing the unon The Committee
has since increased its number to 10, all residents OF
Brooklyn, and have canvassed the city actively for
several days 1t first proposed to add to the Com
mttee 10 from this city, but it was thought BEST
after consultation with gentlemen who take
deep interest in the subject, to bring the
matter first to public notice Brooklyn movement.
At private meeting Of the Committee held on Saturday
night It is understood that memorial to the Legsa-
ture was prepared asking the appointment OF PAID
commission, TO consist Of citizens OF Brooklyn aud


this city, who shall prepare bill TO be submitted to the
next Legislature for the annexation Of the two cities on
conditions Just TO BOTH There has been some difference
of opinion among the leaders In the movement as to the
proportion in which the two cities should be represented
in the commission but this Will probably be left for the
decision of the Legislature.


feeling favorable to consolidation is said to be very
strong ia the business of Brooklyn, while petty pol
icians fearing the loss OF their present local lhuee,
oppose the scheme In tins city the SUBJECT mas Deeh
less discussed and popular feeling lS not so natred,
but it is confidently believed by the promoters OF the
project that when fully presented, the advantages OF
consolidation Will D6 apparent 10 all a IC-
porter recently had long conversation with gentle
man connected prominently with the movement from


the beginning. He said that when the East River bridge
was first talked Of sagaciOus merchant of Brooklyn de-
clared that it would be built until the two cites
became He thought, Notwithstanding the progress
IL seemed 10 be making, that the remark OF ms
friend would yet be proved true There were dilcues
and expenses connected with the bridge enterprise
which had been kept in the background, and OF winch
the public knew nothing lie referred especially to the
cost the land TO be taken for approach extending
from Chatham and FrankfOrt-sts. TO the river Dank
An immense outlay would be necessary. The utilization
~ hfa v-luq land n
will be necessary have broad avenue ON each side OF
the approach 10 protect 1t from fire; and, IN ms
opinion, the space underneath the bridge could
be used in no way so adYantageously
as for the erection OF hre-prOOf warehouses
Merchants and especially those dealing in dry goods
are he said carefully providing against great hre IN
this city, and such warehouses could be built under
the bridge approach would be readily taken 10y mer-
chants at rental that would than meet the IN
the outlay for the land The avenues on each
side would provide ready means OF access, ana the
whole would present barrier TO sweeping fire on the
side or the city, All these enterprises required
for their satisfactory completion a united effort ON
part OF the people of both cities This, he thought
could only be obtained by the unity OF Interests resulting
from consolidation.