The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York · Page 4

4 THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1898. MISCELLANEOUS. THE CELEBRATED Meads tiie List of the Highest - Grade Pianos. CAVTIO Tfro imvinK pnblw will please not eoaXcrand tlioiSOHMKR ;lano with ana oi a - jimilur aoandin name of s. enonp grade. Our uamti x) S - O H - M E R New YorU ffarerooius 1 l! - l.. Knsl t llli r!. Will remove to new SO 11 MBit 111" ll.l) 1 Ni. 170 (Fit'lU Are, cor. M'2ii Street, abov.: i'eiiruaxy. FAREWELL TO CITY, HAIL TO BOROUGH. Brooklyn Citizens of Every Glass Attend the Observance 'FROM GREAT TO GREATER." Six of Brooklyn's Former Mayors Hold an Immense Reception in Mayor Wurs - ter's Offices Public Meeting in the Common Council Chamber, at Which St. Clair McKelway Delivers an Oration, Will Carleton Reads an Appropriate Poem and the Rev. Dr. Farrar and the Mayor Deliver Addresses. Scenes in and Around the Municipal Buildings When the Hour of Midnight Arrived. Calmly arid with dignity Brooklyn passed from her state as an independent city into the Greater New York. Outside, on Friday evening, the rain fell in a steady remorseless downpour after the, manner of the rain of Greater London, while to make the resemblance of weather conditions still mor;' striking a dun colored pall of genuine London fog hung over the entire city. At S o'clock the building was filled with citizens of all ages and classes. Courteous policemen directed 'those who were unacquainted with the iutricaciis of the corridors and passages and hundreds roamed from one room to another admiring the oil paintings In the Common Council chamber and praising the work of Tie Park Department liorists, who had converted some of the smaller rooms into veritable conservatories and ferneries. Civic officials whose terms of office had almost expired were on hand to greet their guests, which 'they did with faces - as radiant and handshakes as warm as though they had but that day been appointed to lucrative life positions. There were do rules as to dress, and this was well. The equality of all present was the more apparent when the retiring officials in dress suits and wide expanse of gleaming white shirt front, clasp bands with honest mechanics in tweed suits, covering maybe a3 was the case in at least one instance a pink and blue striped outing shirt, and bowed with courtly grace to their fellow citizen's wife. For there was no lack of refining feminine society, and charming women were to be met in every room who gave expression to their opinions regarding the floral decorations, and the dusting of tho cornices. At every turn the eye rested on the blue and gold badges worn by members of the Society of Old Brooklynites, who had mustered in full force to bo present at the ceremonies. They were the guests , or" honor. For them were reserved the front seats in the council chamber, for them were special entrances to every room of interest in the building. To them the policemen reverently touched their helmets, ami to them inquiring visitors turned respectfully to obtain information concerning the City Hall and Its past history. An Occasion Not Scon to Be Forgetten. The prevailing spirit was undoubtedly one of cordial good nature, slightly tinged with solemnity. There was no trace of boisterous - ness, as there was no 'trace of sadness. Tho occasion was one of importance, one not soon to be forgotten, and all realized that i every detail of the observance must be car - Tied out decently and in order. Mingled with the congratulations of old and prominent i Brooklynites who recognized among those j present friends who had done much to add to the prosperity and importance of the city, could be heard on all sides expressions of re gret at the unavoidable absence, through Blckness. of one of the most prominent of all Brooklyn's distinguished sons. Vr. J. S. T. fStranahan. It was the oniy unfortunate incident of an otherwise complete and dignified observance. Six of Brooklyn's Mayors Receive. The City of Brooklyn may have passed away, but that civic pride which characterized It was inspirited by ;he reception that took place in tho .Mayor's office. Ic cropped out on every side and chough :de tremendous assemblage at the City Hali eouid tiardly have ibeen said to have been merry, it was patriotic and ready to appreciate everything that was said in favor of the ei'ty that was loved and the borough that would be loved Just as the city had been. It was in truth e family gathering and the .ix mayors who were there to meet the thousands of Brooklynites who wished to see them were greeted like old friends aivd appropriate or tin - appropriate as it may seem, there were 'tears iti the eyes of socio of the old Brookiynitcs who grasped the hand extended to them. Yet it was by no means a wake that took place, for the sentiment of everyone present was that ;fce pride that characterized the proceedings should be an incentive to make IhKs borough the greatest in ;ic great num. - cioaiity ithat was born when the City Hail , bell tolled the hour of midnight. The. Committee in Charge of the Arrange ments. iitt&e room rme of the The committees met in the ccmml of the Common Counc.i. Everyo men was on hand. Then the president of new borough, Edward M. Grout, ivailted in and there was a mizz of comment from tiie I 6iold Brooklynites, and many grasped hi Shand with congratulations and hupe for the Sfuturo. The committeemen were portto.net! i ptt as ushers and nosts. Tne committee iere made up as follows: ixecU'Llvw t:uiuuii.4.ee, repress' - iii uui CLUiz - .eih Bit large Cxxph C. Hendri, William Borri, Gunnison, John S. McKeon, Rich - , Young. roller Palmer, Auditor Sutton, President Stewart ot the Board of Aldermen, Alderman Clark. Committee for the Society of Old Brooklynites Dr. James L. Watson, president; Daniel T. Leverich. Edward D. White, John Hess. Stephen M. Griswoid. Sub committee on arrangements Mayor Wurster, Richard Young. J. R. Clark, Stephen M. Griswoid, Herbert F. Gunnison, Dr. James L. "Watson, "William Berri. Interesting Scenes in the Mayor's Office. At S:20 the doors of the Mayor's rooms were thrown open and the people massed themselves near the entrance and began to pass through in single file. The right that greeted them was an interesting one that will long be remembered. Standing in a row were six of the Mayors who had held the reins of government in their hands. In the center of the rooms stood Mayor Frederick W. Wurster, smiling affably upon all who greeted him. At his right hand was ex - Mayor Seth Low, who appeared to be delighted at the greetings he received. Next to Mayor Wurster on the left stood the gray - haired and dignified ex - Mayor Frederick A. Schroeder and the first of the ex - mayors to be seen was Daniel D. Whitney, who insisted upon being introduced to everyone, great or little, large or small, young or old. Beyond ex - Mayor Low stood David A. Boody and next to him stood ex - Mayor Schieren, and each one shook the hand of everyone who passed with a friendliness and good will that was unmistakable. Mayor Wurster talked to each man and woman and child (for there were children there too) as if he had known them all his life, and to each he said: "I am glad to see you. I wish you a happy New Year and I thank you for your interest to - night." As the line, which seemed interminable, filed by it was almost pathetic to see the fervency with which some of the old men took the hands held out to them and wished tho mayors the compliments of the season. The kindliest words were expressed for Brooklyn and her executives as that procession proceeded and certainly the mayors should have felt well repaid for their courtesy to the throngs which greeted them. It was a reception in every sense of the word and those who came from mere curiosity were enthused with the spirit of 'the occasion and entered into the proceedings with a zest. The Floral Decorations. The rooms were handsomely decorated with flowers and plants. Just behind the mayors were enormous baskets of cut flowers, roses, violets and the rarest of orchids, while festooned on tho walls were daisies, lilies and other attractive flowers set off by smilax. In the Mayor's private office, leading off from the reception room, a large table held a pyramid of costly plants and brilliant flowers, while the walls and shelves around were hidden beneath wild flowers and plants of hand some foliage. Richard Young, of the executive committee stood at 'the head of the line of mayors and introduced the visitors as they arrived. Herbert F. Gunnison, another member of the executive committee, helped to receive and went from room to room introducing people and making everyone at home, answering questions by anxious old men and women who wanted to know who was who and what was what. Some of the questions were perplexing if not ridiculous, but the committeemen answered them in the spirit they were asked and never lost their pa tience. Not a single event occurred to mar the occasion. Brooklyn Women Pay a Well Deserved Tribute to the Mayor. An interesting feature of the reception was the presentation to the Mayor of a magnificent bouquet of flowers from the women members of the Board of Trustees of the Brooklyn Public Library, and the reading ot an address by lire. Mary E. Craigie, who represented that body. The visitors who were their turn to be presented to the Mayor and his predecessors In office, crowded ! T0 FACILITATE ACTION : . m ie ! ' tlle Liver ana tsoweis, snun x e uru - Mic ineuiums uuu ciupiuv liic g "Queen of Laxatives," g ; 9 od ,a ood thin can be ! Sparkling, Isffective, gentle and ; g nalattlbl. 5 , A O M fi i "S rjtl10(yi e ee i e0989A9t SCENE IN THE COMMON COUNCIL into the room, which was filled to overflowing when Mrs. Craigie read as follows: "The Hon. Frederick W. Wurster, Mayor of Brooklyn: "Dear sir The Board of Trustees of the Brooklyn Public Library Association desire to express to your Honor something of the esteem they fee! for you personally, and to thank you for the just, wise and honest administration you have given to the City of Brooklyn as its last Mayor. "We thank you as women for the courtesy you have always shown xo women during your administration. You have ever recognized that as taxpayers and citizens they were entitled to a fair hearing an - d 'to a just consideration of their requests. We thank you particularly for the encouragement and aid you have given from - the first to the Brooklyn Public Library movement and we sincerely trust that there will yet be founded in Brooklyn from the small, beginning already made, a great public library to which you may revert with pride as a lasting monument of your administration. We believe that you have appreciated the sacred obligations of your office as a trust from the people, and that you iuve tried honestiy and con - MAYOR FRICDKIUCK V. WURSTER. Who Presided at the Ob. - iervance Ceremonies. scientiousiy to fulfill the high duties of your office with justice and equity. "A definition by Channing of a great jnan expresses in beater words than we can command, our high estimate of your character as a public official. He says: 'The greatest man, is he who chooses the right with invincible resolution; who resists the sorest 'temptations from within and without; who bears the heaviest burdens cheerfully; who is calmest in storm, and most Tearless under menace and frowns, and whose reliance on truth, on virtue and on God is unfaltering.' Let us assume your honor t'hat you carry with you, as you retire from office, the gratitude and sincere esteem of the Brooklyn Public Library Association, and of all those who recognize and appreciate .oyal and conscientious service. "We have the honor to remain, Yours very sincerely, MARY E. CRAIGIE. ANN A F. STEPHENS. CORNELIA H. CAREY. ELIZABETH BROOKS CHATFIELD. MARY B. J. WHITE. JULIA B. COLLIER. JULPA OLOOTT PERRY. ANNIE F. BRUSH. "Trustees of the Brooklyn Public Library Association. "December 31, 1S97." The Mayor's Reply To this warmly appreciative address the Mayor replied briefly as follows: "Mrs. Craigie and ladies I cannot think that the expressions which you used should be taken as being applied entirely to myself. I feel that they are intended for all those who have worked for tho public library - You know better than I can tell you how hard you yourselves labored, and how hard wo all labored together. If special praise is due to any one more than another then it is not to myself, but to Mayor Boody that hor.or should be given. To him belongs, in my estimation, the full measure of credit for whatever has been accomplished. He worked unceasingly to assist tho work, and to him must be given the full pralso which you, Mrs. Craigie. have given. The institution in which we aii have such a warm interest is now In Its Infancy, but I think wo have now every reason to hope and expect that it will soon grow into one of the greatest institutions iu tho largor city. 1; thank you again for your gift and the warm expressions with which you have accompanied it." Well Known Citizens Who Were Present Among the many well known men and women who wore in the line that passed ttie mayors were seen: j Almet F. Jenks, who at 12 o'clock became Corporation Counsel of the borough; Health Commissioner Zachary T. Emery, Mr. and fo" ' CHAMBER DURING THE OBSERVANCE CEREMONIES FRIDAY NIGHT. Mrs. St. Clair McKelway, Police Justice Brenner, ex - Police Commissioner James D. Bell, Senator George W. "Brush, J. Warren Greene, Bridge Treasurer Edward Barr and Mrs. Barr, Dr. J. M. Farrar, Poet Will Carle - ton and Mrs. Carleton, United States Marshal Hayden, Mrs. Haydeu, George A. Price, Eugene Blackford, president of the Atlantic Avenue Commission ; J. M. Conklin, one of the old time poli'ticians, who showed an immense interest in everything that took place; Tax Collector R. Ross Appleton, Professor Franklin W. Hooper, Henry W. Maxwell, Andrew Young, ex - Corporation Counsel Albert G. McDonald, President Stewart of :be Board of Aldermen, Senator Wieraan, Fire Commissioner William Cullen Bryant, President of the Borough EdWMrd M. Grout, Assistant Corporation Counsel Mudge, Charles R. McElvaine, commissioner of deeds; Controller G - e - orge W. Palmer, City Clerk Benjamin, Charter Commissioner William C. DeWitt, George H. Fischer, ex - Excise Commissioner Forrester, Deputy City Works Commissioner Robert Fielding, Assemblyman Kneeland, ex - A&semblyman Waldo, Assessors Quinn, Finkelmeyer and Wilson, Pairk Commissioner Dettmer and ex - Park Commissioners Squier and Brower, County Treasurer Taylor, Civil Service Commissioner Ludiwig Nissen, Sheriff William J. Buttling, "United States Commissioner John Oakey, James McKeen, president of the Hamilton Club; John G. Turnbull, Dr. John J. Col - gan of the Board of Education, Assemblyman - elect Chartes C. Schoeueck, Freeborn G. Smith, ex - Pres'ident Wray of the Board of Aldermen, Councilman Charles H. Ebbette, Congressman John M. Clancy, D. D. Whitney, jr.; Edward P. Chittenden, ex - Police Justice John J. Walsh, Alderman Clark, Edwin B. Allen, Alexander Cameron, Alexander Cameron, jr.; Supreme Court Justice W. W. Goodrich, Silas B. Dutcher, Councilmen Williams and Leich, Nicholas Flocken, Dr. Quinlan, Mr. and Mrs. Serimgeour, General A. C. Barnes, Chartes M. Chadwiek, Edward A. Pipc - r, Weather Prophet E. B. Dunn, the Rev. J. C. Ager, ex - Judge Dailey, Building Commissioner Bush, Clarence Barratw, deputy fire commissioner: Wyckoff Vander - hoft, Robert J. Wilkes. Alexander C. Forman, George Barnes, Professor Plympton, Robert A. Yanderstein, Chief Engineer of Water Department Do Varona. G. B. Reed, Deputy Police Commissioner Crosby, Register Granville W. Harman, Eugene F. O'Connor, J. J. Allan, Superintendent of Public Instruction William II . Maxwell. Police Justice Charles A. Toale, Charities Commissioner Burtis, Horace E. Dresser, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac F. Carey, Assemblyman G. W. Wilson, Senator Stephen Griswoid, Colonel John Ruger, .Tames L. Watson, president of the Old Brooklynites Society, with C. H. Bass, B. McCaffrey, R. Van Brunt, John Bunco, Benjamin J. Warner, A. Whitney, Thomas Hagerman, Russell W. McKee, William W. Simpson, O. T. Lines, William Young, William Brown, Nicholas Van Dyk, William B. Draper, Lewis Hurst, all members of the soaiety. Among the Aldermen who shook hands with the mayors were Adam H. Leich. James H. Ruggles, Francis F. Will - lams, John Guilfoyle, Denis F. Dunne, Martin F. Coaly. William H. Loaycraft, William J. Taylor. Samuel Myers, Milledge D. Messenger, William S. Curtis, Samuel E. Thompson, Frederick W. Singleton, William A. Doyle, John F. Oltrogge, Patrick J. Donlon, David W. Welton, Charles H. Francisco, Theodore Maur - er, Rudolph Bacher, Charles J. Haubert, Joseph R. Clark, William Keegan and Frank Hennessy. Receptions in Other Departments. While the reception to the mayors was taking place, the other offices of the City Hall were open to all who cared to enter and every one took advantage of the opportunity of getting a glimpse of the rooms where the business of the city had been transacted. Controller Palmer received several hundred old friends and with him were his whole staff who helped to entertain. Auditor Suttou had his private rooms open as well as his office, and here were entertained another group of old city officials who showed a great Interest in the improvements Inaugurated during Mr. Sutton's term of office. It was quite remarkable how some of these men who have not been .active for years entered into the spirit of (iis occasion and appreciated everything tl - ,6y heard or were told. Upstairs in the handsome rooms of the Law partment men and women wandered in and ut listening to the descriptions given by the otirteous staff of assistants and glancing ow and then with unconceaied pleasure at ho opportunity into the office of Corporation unsel Burr, who sat talking to his suc cessor, Almet F. Jenks, or welcomed with a hearty hand grasp and in his cbaracteristical - v ly courteous way returned the well wishes of the many visitors. Ex - Assistant Corporation Counselors William C. Do Witt and Albert G. McDonald dropped in to wish a happy New Year, as did several of the men who are to be successors to the assistants in the office. Among the latter were ex - Police Justice Walsh, Edward P. Chittenden and D. D. Whitney, jr. Receiving with Mr. Burr were Assistant Corporation Counselors Albert E. Mudge, William G. Cooke, Michael Furst, Richard B. Greenwood, jr.; Alexander H. Van Cott, Rollin A. Breckinridge, Frank S. Angel, Herbert B. Brush, Chief Clerk George W. Mackenzie and Clerk Frank J. Gardner. One of the most interesting of the departments in the hall was that of the City Clerk. City Clerk Benjamin was on hand early and wi!bs him were Deputy City (ilerk Griffith, License Clerk Henry Jaquillard, Deputy License Clerk Albert T. Hobbs, Bond and Warrant Clerks James H. Cross, 'Frank Squire and Walter R. Clark, Stenographer Frederick G. Isles and Clerks Joseph V. Scully, W. L. D. O'Grady, James B. Rennie and Charles B. Morton. The first thing that was done when the rooms were thrown open to the publ'ic was to call all the attaches of the office together. Then Mr. Benjamin took one of fine letterheads of the city, stamped it with the city seal and under it every man signed his name, making a memento that attracted considerable attention and probably the only one of the kind in any of the de partments. Mr. Benjamin had the distinction of being the only city clerk in the Greater New York last night, as well as one of the few office holders who be'.d on after the bell tolled the New Year over head. As he is the man in whom the aldermen are most interested, he received the congratulations of about all the members of the Common Council during the evening. In the meantime there were several interesting events took place in his office. Dr. George E. West wandered in to wish Mr. Benjamin a happy new year and was sworn in as register of records in the ( Department of Health. Charles R. Mcllvaine was sworn in later as Commissioner of Deeds. Then Controller Palmer, accompanied by County - I Treasurer Taylor, came in to pass the com pliments of the season, and City Clerk Ben ST. OLA1R M' - KELAVLW, I.L.D., Who Delivered the Oration. jamln went with them to Mayor Wurster and therewith signed the transfer of the money in the banks to Controller Bird S. Coler, passing over to the treasury of the Greater New York something over ?9, 000, 000. John G. Young signed the last warrant for the year during the reception. A Move Toward the Council Chamber. By 9 o'clock the crowds had become so large that every room in the large building was filled, and those who at that time turned from the reception room and the chambers above in order to secure seats in the council chamber, where the main exercises were to take place, found every chair, with the exception! of those in the front, reserved for the members of the Society of Old Ilrooklyuttes, already occupied, and were obliged to stand In the hallways, where through the open doors they Jieard the addresses and were able to add their quota to the applause whirl, greeted the speakers. Tho chamber itself had been specially prepared for the occasion. On either side of the red covered rostrum of the .Mayor, rose, half way to tho ceilin?. - , masses of cut flowers shaded by towering tropical ferns, while to tho right of vhe reading desk a silken flag of thq Republic dipped its colors in salutation to the white folds of the banner of the Citf - of Brooklyn whMh appeared to the loft. From out their oil ilma gilded frames, tile faces of former payors, and prominent cizens looked uoUj - n - u uunuus eyes upon Jhe prepara - wnini m . ... J A ID . an patiently Hltlng for tn commencement of the proceedings, and although the majority of those who had secured seats had held them for more than an hour before the commencement was made, there was no demonstration of dissatisfaction. At 9:30 o'clock, however, a vigorous outburst of appiause announced the entrance by one of the side doors of Mayor Wurster, closely followed by St. Clair McKelway, the orator of the occasion, the Rev. Di Farrar, and Mr. Will Carleton. Close behind them again came the ex - mayors, who took seats within the railing iu front of the rostrum. The Observance Ceremonies. Mayor Wurster opened the meeting without further delay in a short speech'which elicited frequent outbursts ot applause, this being especially noticeable when he referred to his actior. in vetoing the consolidation bill. He spoke as follows: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens of Brooklyn for we are still citizens of a great city and not of a borough When the time approached when the great event which has agitated the community for two years was drawing near, it was suggested by some that there should be a commemoration ot the oc casifm at the City Hall. Some suggested a celebration of an exceedingly joyful kind, others a kind of "passing away" ceremony. The committee apopinted by me reported in favor of a dignified observance of the passing away of the city, an observance of which posterity might read and learn with what proceedings the last day of the municipal life of the City of Brooklyn was marked. It is not my intention to speak at the present time of this or of any other administration under which the affairs of the city have been governed, but I do wish to say a few words regarding the City of Brooklyn itself, a city which at one period of its existence increased in population at the rate of 45,000 persons a year; a city which to - dav has a population of 1,200,000, sixty square I miles of territory and a valuation roll of $603, 000,000. "Brooklyn'saffairs have always been economically administered. Its per capita tax has been much less than that of other large cities, for while in Brooklyn to - day the tax is $9 per canita. In New York and Boston the rate is ,$22 per capita, and in Philadelphia it is $2 - 1 I per capita. The Passing of a Great City. "And now we have come to the time of the passing awuy of this great city, that is to say, the passing away o its individual life. To some this may appear a mournful occasion, to others it may appear all for the best, but all owe it to the memory of the City of Brooklyn to make the borough of Brooklyn gro - w great and ever greater. My part in connection with consolidation has been a very small one. I simply sat in this chamber and heard arguments submitted for and againtst the proposal, and after prominent citizens on both sides had expressed their views, I could see n - o other course open to me than to veto a measure which did not contain any provision for the discussion of the matter by the people of Brooklyn and the proposal by them of any necessary changes. It did not contain a referendum to the citizens of Brooklyn, and I believed, as I believe now. that we should at least have been accorded that privilege. Brooklyn Not a Penniless Bride. "To - night we pass out of existence as a municipality. It has been 'announced by a certain section of the press that we are financially bankrupt, but I think when I give you a few facts and figures that you will admit that Brooklyn goes to New York as anything but a penniless bride. We have in excess of our bonded indebtedness $25,000,000, in addition to police precincts, parks and other city property. We have in a tin box In 'the Controller's office $7,022,000, at par, of the best possible securities, to be handed over to the sinking fund, and my last official act, performed not two hours ago, was to sign a check for $9,923,000, which is made payable to the Controller of the greater City or New York. I, therefore, thing ahat you will agree with me that Brooklyn Is anything but a penniless bride. I take "this occasion to thank those gentlemen who have so earnestly assisted me during my term of office, and with whom I have been associated, and I desire also to thank all the citizens for their hearty help. You gave me a great trust. To - night I return it to you, hoping that my administration of the affairs of the City of Brooklyn has met with your approbation. "It gives me great pleasure to next introduce the orator of the day, one who is known to every person In this audience, a gentleman whose name is inseparably linked with that of Brooklyn; one who has always stood ready when called upon to voice the sentiments of the community. Without further intruding on your time, I introduce the Hon. St. Clair McKelway." Dr. McKelway's Oration. Dr! McKelway, whoso appearance was the signal for a renewed outburst of applause, spoko as follows: "Mr. Mayor and FriendsOccasion more frequently waits on weather than weather on occasion. Minds 'both poetical and superstitious have tried to trace the connection between weeping skies and broken ties. (Laughter.) Nevertheless, often the rain will drown the honeymoon and the sun will play bo - peep with the nodding plumes of a mourning hearse'i There is no significance in the concurrence of clouds with consolidation. Consolidation Is .coming, and theclouds, as I entered ana Duiiuing, - r - riisapjrcurini;, The prediction has been made that tbla occasion would be a wake or a wall, or a cause of mourning. Last night I was reading the life of Abraham Lincoln by Henry J. Raymond in 1S6 - 1. The great President, in his second annual message to Congress said: 'Our government consists of territory, people and laws.' Well, friends, our territory is here, our people are here, the best repreaentatiias of them, of both sexes and all ages, surround and confront me, and our laws are not repealed, but as you shall see, are extended; therefore, there shall be from this desk, at this time, provided no inopportune injunction shall prevent me (loud laughter) no words of gioom or ot au verse prediction; indeed, let our woras De: Farewell and Hail Farewell 'tn T City of Brooklyn! Hail tha Citv nf Moor York." Much has long made Brooklyn great. Brooklyn shall long make New York Greater. Greater New York, in the common speech of men, has already been named as the result of consolidation accomplished. But let cone think that New York can be made Greater with Brooklyn without Brooklyn also being made Greater with New York. (Applause.) Wa shall not contribute power and draw out weakness. With what measure we mete, it shall be measured unto us again. Where we give strength, wo will get strength. Those whom we benefit will benefit us. As we affect our sister boroughs, so shall they affect us. Always bear this in mind. Therefore, Farewell and Hail! We part with much, but to gain more. A moiety of that with which we part will come back to us. Or it will remain in trust for us, drawing an interest of power. This, In ad - ' dition to the clear and clean gain. Nor shall we part with anything a free people cannot' relinquish without loss to freedom. The one - man - one - vote principle remains. We shall: no longer choose mayors, controllers and al - ' dermen, whose choice will bo restricted by' our own numbers and whose jurisdiction by our own territory; but neither will that New York, which, in a few minutes from this utterance, shall be called the New York that was. Henceforth, our municipal electiva agents and our local legislatures will be chosen by and within all the boroughs through' the undisturbed method of manhood suffrage. Nor is this fact without value or hopefulness: The fact that the first election under the new charter showed ail the boroughs voting a like preference. Both those who supported and those who opposed the result which was reached agree that It showed no violence to the will of any borough by the others. Apprehension prevailed that the inclination of the smaller boroughs might be overborne by the sheer power of the larger. It was not. The unity of the suffrage, predominant in all the boroughs, relieved the decision of oppressiveness. It justifies confidence in the suffrage of the future. Half a million voters in five great divisions, voting alike by a plurality in every division, exhibited a unity of sentiment. That unity demonstrates government by consent.' Such a government has the unquestionable authority of the people for basis and for warrant. That is the kind of government whereon our institutions rest and which they are meant to secure. It is government of the people and by the people. Whether it shall be government for the people will depend upon its administrators. If it is not, they will change it. A result dictated by one borough or by two would have been equally binding in law. But it would not have been so agreeable to feeling. It would, have lacked a moral completeness of authority. It would or might have made some of the boroughs feel that: they had been overslaughed. Not one of them was. Reasons for Confidence. Instructive and encouraging for the future is anothei fact: Only by the division of a' majority was a clear and clean success by' plurality won. Those chosen to be our agents received a smaller percentage of a much divided total vote than defeated candidates have received before. Hence, if they fail our hopes or neglect their promises, they will be easily overturnable at the next assize. (Applause.) Notion that their tenure' will be so long or their power so strong that they can be both iniquitous, and invincible is the puny bantling of amateur thought. (Applause.) No party Is so weak as a party in power. To a party in power nothing is so weakening as patronage. No tax is so remorselessly collected as that enforced by disappointment. The moment an organization wins, it begins to lose. The moment it loses. It begins to win. In politics the only thing which fails is success, and tho only thing which never loses . .la. principle. (Loud applause.) Success must deal with hungry and vindictive men in the proportion of one ingrate to ten enemies in the allotment of reward and punishment. Principle, however, has a free choice of pbblic instruments. It uses or shatters parties at will. When clearly apprehended, no right principle has ever been rejected by the people of Greater New York. Mistakes may have been made In those chosen to carry it out. Those so chosen may have erred in methods. They may have forgotten their obliga tions. Tney may nave used the trust ot public power for personal ends. But the principle not vindicated by them has vindicated itself upon them. Men are uncertain Principles are eternal. T. - people are honest. They can be deceived, but not always or. for long. And they should always be trusted. Take the unchanged basis of suffrage. Take, the preserved fact of local self government. Take the just distribution of co - ordinate borough powers. Take the unaltered condition of countyhood. Take the continued right of full legislative and congressional apportionment. Take the nower of Brooklyn to temoer the action of New York. Take the ability of nonpartisans to form a majority whenever they choose to unite. Take the indestructible facts of home, church, educational and institutional life here into your thought. Take your selfhood and your citizenhood, with all they imply and make possible, into your mind. If we do this, we can face the future with a courage as serene as the pride is strong and true with which we look at the past. I would, be no ingrate to forget or belittle that past. I would be no mere opportunist to magnify only the present. But I am, I trust, and I hope you will be optimlstio enough to have that faith in the future, through faith in the people and through faith rin Providence, which we should all have. Neither the past is honored nor the present respected by doubt of our ability to take care of our future. Therefore, let our tone be one of hope and of heart. The fancies of men, which companion their thought, and the imagination of men which pictorializes and glorifies the hard facts of life and the prosalo sides of law, have led them to call consolidation a conjugal union. Welcome the figure. Under its spell let us resolve .that no shroud shall be the marriage portion of Brooklyn. Not tolling bells, but chimes of congratulation, should sound on the air of night. To a wedding and not to a funeral we are bidden. They do not know us who paint us as sullen or surly. They misrepresent us who picture us as heartbroken. The groom would better watch his own demeanor. To him the bride will bring no face of gloom and no lot of doom. The past is past. All hail the hereafter! Not that the past is to be slighted or forgotten. It is part of an inseparable and indivisible record. Neither men nor cities and cities are but men bunched can be separated from their records. Honorable men and honorable cities wish not to be. Records, how ever, are but duties In storage. Duties them selves are life s recurently presented demands. Brooklyn's finished record as a city is creditable and indestructible. Its record as the largest borough of a larger city begins now. To the record accomplished, all the honor to which it is historically and fllir" entitled shall be paid. But honor is not i atry. Worship is not the paralysis of enei. Reverence is not tne enemy or effort. T. who cut themselves among the tombs were sane. Such a plea shall neither be entered us nor suggested by us Nor will transition from finished record new duties be found violent or revulsive, will be more palpable to Brooklynites the year now waiting Its birth hour tn any otner. it win De more appary. this generation of our people than it., other. But it will hardly be apparent H even at tho outset to those intelllgen!' . - , . . 1 . J.. 3 . - 1 1 T.1 siuers wuuse picsviir juuguicui win ui of our posterity. One can foretell whsi record win oe as oorougn lrom uw i been as city. Our city's record has bee whereof we need not be ashamed one other cities could do well to emulate, nlause.l We know that our boroug will have an able and fearless judicial cause our city and county have had that kind. No judge in our borou' should ever be impeached or imp for none in our city life was ever lmr,; ; or deserved to be. uur ponce in our - life should be chargeable with no nlllanra with nrotficted crime, for tl of our citv have never been chargeatf"5?. that. (Applause.) This borough's loyaiti - ibtha national government in time of danger snou! never bo doubtable, for our loyalty to it asac' In its hour of peril was never doubted. ). borough, our history should be stained' no riots, involving the killing and buj" of God's poor, because. lorsootn, Dorn iMS since oui mowij, a. Secotuluc - - . 1 JSS33sSl