City of Mount Vernon Proposed Annexation of Pelham and Surrounding Towns in 1909

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It was as if a bomb had exploded in the very center of the Town of Pelham.  Pelhamites who did not have a newspaper of their own at the time opened their copies of The Daily Argus of Mount Vernon the morning of March 17, 1909.  The lead headline on the front page blared "MAYOR RECOMMENDS ANNEXATION OF NEARBY TOWNS -- NEW GOVERNING SYSTEM -- Proposes Legislation for Referendum Vote on Consolidating the Pelhams, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville with The City."  For the second time in less than twenty years, the Town of Pelham faced a threat of annexation by a nearby city, this time the City of Mount Vernon.

The evening before, the Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, Benjamin Howe, announced to the Common Council of Mount Vernon that he supported annexation of the adjacent Towns of Pelham and Eastchester, including all villages within those towns.  The statement read in full as follows:

" THE MAYOR'S MESSAGE ON ANNEXATION
-----
To the Honorable Common Council of the City of Mount Vernon, N. Y.
March 16, 1909.

Gentlemen:  Considerable sentiment seems to exist in our city and in the towns of Eastchester and Pelham which include the villages therein, in favor of the annexation of said municipalities to the city of Mount Vernon.  I believe such annexation would result in reciprocal advantages to the people of these different place.

I would therefore recommend to you for consideration the advisability of appropriate legislation for a referendum vote providing for the annexation of the towns of Eastchester and Pelham which include the villages therein, to the city of Mount Vernon, provided the people of said municipalities are in favor of such action.

I would suggest the calling of a conference of a number of representative citizens of said towns and our city, to consider this proposition for the purpose of determining what further action, if any, should be taken in respect thereto.

Respectfully submitted,

BENJAMIN HOWE, Mayor."

What was this all about?

Only fifteen years before, of course, New York City had annexed much of the Town of Pelham.  No one in the region thereafter believed that the behemoth could each just one.  All looked anxiously to the south wondering when -- not if -- New York City would decide to gobble up more of lower Westchester County (if not most of the county).

The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon was one of those who looked anxiously toward New York City fearing that his own city would be next.  He hoped that annexing surrounding communities including the Towns of Pelham and Eastchester would make the enlarged City of Mount Vernon a more formidable opponent during any battle over annexation.

The Daily Argus, published in Mount Vernon, reported that "consolidation is the logical and natural situation that is bound to come to pass in time.  It would mean a compact city covering the territory between Scarsdale on the north, New Rochelle and the Sound on the east, New York on the south and Yonkers on the west."

This was not the first time -- nor would it be the last -- that communities near New York City considered annexation or consolidation as a defensive maneuver against New York City and its gluttonous appetite for annexation.  Indeed, recently I wrote about proposals during the 1920s to consolidate the three villages of the Pelhams as a bid to block possible annexation by New York City or possible inclusion within a super-municipality of Westchester (intended, itself, to block New York City from annexing Westchester County).  See Mon., May 29, 2017:  Debates Over Consolidating Pelham's Three Villages in 1923; Wed., Jul. 29, 2015:  The Three Villages of Pelham Embraced the Notion of Consolidation in 1923 as a Defensive Measure.  I also have written before about New York City's efforts to annex all, or a large portion, of the Town of Pelham during the last few decades of the 19th century.  For a few examples, see: 

Fri., Mar. 18, 2016:  1894 City Island Newspaper Editorial Addressing Annexation by New York City.

Tue., Mar. 15, 2016:  More on New York City's Plans to Annex Pelham and Lower Westchester County in 1870. 

Fri., Jan. 29, 2016:  Did Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall Have Designs on Pelham and Plans to Annex It to New York City in 1870? 

Wed., Jan. 16, 2008:  Plans To Annex Pelham and Make It Part of New York City in 1870. 

Thu., May 10, 2007:  Report That Pelham Favored Annexation of Much of Westchester County by New York City in 1870. 

Wed., Apr. 6, 2005:  A Behemoth Looks to the Suburbs: Talk of New York City Annexing Pelham As Early As 1870.

For weeks after Mayor Howe's March 9, 1909 annexation announcement, the Mayor told the local newspaper that he was working to coordinate a "conference" among officials and citizens of the nearby towns and villages that would be affected by the proposal.  Indeed, as one might expect, by late March it was clear that the matter was not as clear as the Mayor of Mount Vernon suggested.  Citizens of the Pelhams and Eastchester looked at the proposal with suspicion.  When questioned by the local newspaper, most expressed a "wait-and-see attitude" suggesting that they could see little of benefit for their respective communities if they were to submit to annexation.

In contrast, all in Mount Vernon seemed to support annexation.  The matter was discussed and debated in local meetings with near unanimous support for the proposal.  

It did not take long, however, to understand that the surrounding Towns and Villages had no desire for annexation.  With no imminent threat from New York City or elsewhere, there was nearly a universal lack of support for the trial balloon floated by the Mount Vernon Mayor.  Indeed, within months the proposal was dead.  

Mount Vernon was not happy.  In an editorial published in The Daily Argus, the editorial staff of the newspaper huffed:

"HAS NORTH PELHAM A GROUCH?
-----

It looks as if some of the officials of North Pelham have a grouch against Mount Vernon.  Why, we do not know, unless it is characteristic of the smaller place to resent any idea of mingling municipally with the larger town.  Sometimes this feeling, most always we are inclined to say, operates against the smaller town, their advantages not being increased thereby.  Of course the larger place has no resentment and harbors no ill feeling.

We observed this resentment of Pelham on two occasions.  Once when a proposition was made to discuss consolidating (not annexation) the Pelhams with Mount Vernon.  Ooh, the Pelhams wouldn't hear of such a thing, and we almost thought we were plebeians from the faces they made at us.  Then again, when Pelham went into the New York city postal system, it was suggested that they join with Mount Vernon.  Nothing to it at all, was the answer sent back, and from what some of the brethren have said since, we wonder if they have not regretted it just a tiny bit.

But that's neither here nor there.  Pelham officials shouldn't nurse grouches against their big neighbor.  Life is too short for one thing and then there is more fun in being friendly."

Yet another effort to annex Pelham had withered on the vine and died. Pelham would retain its independence, as stubborn and proud as ever before!

1950 Map of the Town of Pelham Showing the Town Bounded

by the City of New York, the City of Mount Vernon and the City of

New Rochelle. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"MAYOR RECOMMENDS ANNEXATION OF NEARBY TOWNS -- NEW GOVERNING SYSTEM
-----
Proposes Legislation for Referendum Vote on Consolidating the Pelhams, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville with The City
-----
Plan of Commissions to Take Over Municipal Affairs of Mount Vernon -- Other Important Business at Last Nights' Council Meeting
-----

Projects of large importance to the city were considered by the common council in a two-hour session last night.  Mayor Howe sent two messages to the board.  One recommends consideration of the annexation by Mount Vernon of the towns of Eastchester and Pelham and the villages contained in them; the other recommends an investigation of the adaptability to Mount Vernon of the system of city government by commission.

A message recommending the consideration of legislation for a referendum vote providing for the annexation to the city of the towns of Eastchester and Pelham, and the villages contained in them was submitted by the mayor to the board of aldermen at its meeting last night.  In the communication the chief executive recited that the annexation would, in his opinion, result in reciprocal advantages to the several places, and declared that considerable sentiment for the proposed consolidation seems to exist.  He suggested the calling of a conference of a number of representative citizens of this city and the towns to consider the project, and after the message was heard, Alderman Zimmermann offered a resolution, which was passed by a unanimous vote, directing the mayor to call such a conference before the next meeting of the council.  The message of the mayor appears in another column.  

The villages included in the two towns are:  In Eastchester -- Bronxville and Tuckahoe; in Pelham -- North Pelham, Pelham and Pelham Manor.

Another message from the chief executive to the council dealt with the question of city government by commission.  In it the mayor recommended that the question of city government by commission.  In it the mayor recommended that the question of its adaptability to Mount Vernon be referred to the aldermanic committee on legislation, with authority to retain counsel, provided this can be done without expense to the city, and that the counsel and city clerk be instructed to gather all available information on the subject and present it to the committee.  Such a resolution, directing a report 'at the earliest possible moment,' was offered by Alderman Waterman and passed unanimously.  This message will also be found elsewhere. . . .

THE MAYOR'S MESSAGE ON ANNEXATION
-----
To the Honorable Common Council of the City of Mount Vernon, N. Y.
March 16, 1909.

Gentlemen:  Considerable sentiment seems to exist in our city and in the towns of Eastchester and Pelham which include the villages therein, in favor of the annexation of said municipalities to the city of Mount Vernon.  I believe such annexation would result in reciprocal advantages to the people of these different place.

I would therefore recommend to you for consideration the advisability of appropriate legislation for a referendum vote providing for the annexation of the towns of Eastchester and Pelham which include the villages therein, to the city of Mount Vernon, provided the people of said municipalities are in favor of such action.

I would suggest the calling of a conference of a number of representative citizens of said towns and our city, to consider this proposition for the purpose of determining what further action, if any, should be taken in respect thereto.

Respectfully submitted,

BENJAMIN HOWE, Mayor."

Source:  MAYOR RECOMMENDS ANNEXATION OF NEARBY TOWNS -- NEW GOVERNING SYSTEM -- Proposes Legislation for Referendum Vote on Consolidating the Pelhams, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville with The City -- Plan of Commissions to Take Over Municipal Affairs of Mount Vernon -- Other Important Business at Last Nights' Council Meeting, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 17, 1909, Whole No. 5180 p. 1, cols. 6-7.  

"FAVOR ANNEXATION OF NEARBY TOWNS.
-----
Mount Vernonites of Opinion That When Proposition Is Better Understood All Opposition Will Disappear.
-----

Few questions ever submitted by a chief executive of Mount Vernon to the aldermanic board, have assumed the importance in the minds of the people of the municipality and elicited as general discussion throughout the city as that of the annexation of Bronxville, Tuckahoe and the Pelhams, submitted to the common council by Mayor Howe on Tuesday night.  

Both in official and private circles, discussion heard in the city indicates that the project is a popular one in Mount Vernon.

In the proposition, Mount Vernonites whose opinions have been heard, see the greatest importance and discern substantial benefits both to this city and the villages of the two neighboring towns.

Those who anticipate possible opposition at first from some citizens in the villages, declare that this will disappear as the proposition is better understood and its details are worked out.  They state that the villages will not lose their identity and that they will gain a great deal by the consolidation which they would not be able to during existence as separate municipalities.

It is argued by local citizens that the consolidation is the logical and natural situation that is bound to come to pass in time.  It would mean a compact city covering the territory between Scarsdale on the north, New Rochelle and the Sound on the east, New York on the south and Yonkers on the west.

Mayor Howe stated this morning that he was planning to get in communication soon with representative citizens of the villages relative to a conference over the project."

Source:  FAVOR ANNEXATION OF NEARBY TOWNS -- Mount Vernonites of Opinion That When Proposition Is Better Understood All Opposition Will Disappear, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 18, 1909, Whole No. 5881, p. 1, col. 6.

"EXPECTS TO HOLD THE CONFERENCE SOON ON ANNEXATION QUESTION
-----
Mayor Howe Has Been in Communication With Citizens of Nearby Towns
-----

The question of the consolidation of Mount Vernon and the towns of Eastchester and Pelham continues to be one of the principal topics in official and private circles in all the municipalities, and in this city especially, are heard many opinions favorable to the proposed arrangement.

A new argument advanced today in favor of the consolidation is that if the municipalities were united into one city they would be in an excellent position for future expansion movements of the metropolis.  If an attempt is made by New York to annex some of this section of Westchester, and such a movement is not favored here, the larger Mount Vernon could the more successfully thwart such a scheme; and, on the other hand, if such a scheme should meet with favor in this section, the greater Mount Vernon might advantageously constitute a new borough of the metropolis, which would be far preferable to merging with the borough of the Bronx.

Arrangements for a conference on the question of consolidation are being arranged by Mayor Howe.  He stated this morning that he had been in communication with a number of the residents of the villages with a view to setting a date.  He is to see more soon, and the announcement of the conference is expected to be forthcoming."

Source:  EXPECTS TO HOLD THE CONFERENCE SOON ON ANNEXATION QUESTION -- Mayor Howe Has Been in Communication With Citizens of Nearby Towns, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 22, 1909, Whole No. 5884, p. 1, col. 2.  

"WORTH CONSIDERING.
-----
Citizens of Nearby Towns Discuss the Project of Consolidation With This City.
-----

That the question of annexing the towns of Eastchester and Pelham, as recommended in a message by Mayor Howe last week, is worth consideration, is the opinion of citizens of the town of Eastchester.

It is being found that many persons are not ready as yet to express their opinions.  They are saying something like this when interviewed:  'Let me think about this thing.  I don't know but very little about it. I would like to look into all sides of this question before I give you my opinion about it.'

The opinions of two men who perhaps express this sentiment in Bronxville and the town of Eastchester, outside of the incorporated village of Tuckahoe, were obtained yesterday by an Argus reporter.

Alfred E. Smith, a former assemblyman and former village counsel of Bronxville, said:  'I don't want to be quoted on this matter.  This is a question worth considering very carefully.'

Highway Commissioner Robert J. Bellew said:  'That is a matter which needs much consideration.  To what extent would the town of Eastchester be benefited?  Would our taxes be any lower than they are now?'"

Source:  WORTH CONSIDERING -- Citizens of Nearby Towns Discuss the Project of Consolidation With This City, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY]. Mar. 24, 1909, Whole No. 5886, p. 1, col. 2.  

"NO DATE AS YET.
-----
For Conference Over the Consolidating of Towns With This City.
-----

No date has been set yet for a conference between representatives of Mount Vernon, Bronxville, Tuckahoe and the Pelhams over the question of consolidation as recommended in the recent message of Mayor Howe to the common council.  Delay has been encountered because of the difficulty thus far in fixing upon a night on which all of those whom it is desired to have present can attend.  It is hoped by the chief executive that a date can be agreed upon soon and that a formal exchange of views on the matter may be obtained.

Meanwhile discussion of the question continues in all of the municipalities.  Expressions of opinion both for and against the proposition have been heard."

Source:  NO DATE AS YET -- For Conference Over the Consolidating of Towns With This City, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 15, 1909, Whole No. 5905, p. 1, col. 5.

"DISCUSSION HAD OF NEW CITY PROJECTS.
-----

An informal discussion took place last night at a meeting of the Plymouth Men's Club, at which the three topics which were considered were the board of trade movement, the government by commission project and the agitation for the consolidation of Eastchester and the Pelhams with Mount Vernon.

There was an interesting address on these questions by Mark D. Stiles, who expressed himself in favor of each.  He went into each in some detail, explaining their workings, and showing their advantages.  He also referred to what has been done in other places along the board of trade and government by commission lines.  

Mr. Stiles endorsed the plan of consolidation as a method of broadening out the city and enabling it to counter balance the reaching out tendency of New York.  After his remarks, there was a discussion during which questions were asked and answered, and in which many of the men present took part.

There was music during the evening by Charles A. Page, Thomas Wilkins and Mr. Humphrey."

Source:  DISCUSSION HAD OF NEW CITY PROJECTS, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 27, 1909, Whole No. 6094, p. 1, col. 2.  

"HAS NORTH PELHAM A GROUCH?
-----

It looks as if some of the officials of North Pelham have a grouch against Mount Vernon.  Why, we do not know, unless it is characteristic of the smaller place to resent any idea of mingling municipally with the larger town.  Sometimes this feeling, most always we are inclined to say, operates against the smaller town, their advantages not being increased thereby.  Of course the larger place has no resentment and harbors no ill feeling.

We observed this resentment of Pelham on two occasions.  Once when a proposition was made to discuss consolidating (not annexation) the Pelhams with Mount Vernon.  Ooh, the Pelhams wouldn't hear of such a thing, and we almost thought we were plebeians from the faces they made at us.  Then again, when Pelham went into the New York city postal system, it was suggested that they join with Mount Vernon.  Nothing to it at all, was the answer sent back, and from what some of the brethren have said since, we wonder if they have not regretted it just a tiny bit.

But that's neither here nor there.  Pelham officials shouldn't nurse grouches against their big neighbor.  Life is too short for one thing and then there is more fun in being friendly."

Source:    HAS NORTH PELHAM A GROUCH?, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 6, 1910, p. 4, cols. 1-2.  

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