Consolidation and Secession
Prior to 1898, New York City consisted only of Manhattan and a few outlying towns. On November 6, 1894, a majority of Staten Island residents voted in favor of becoming a borough of the newly-created Greater City of New York, as did residents in the areas that became the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
Consolidation, as the process was known, became official on January 1, 1898, but almost immediately some Staten Island residents, concerned that the Island was receiving less in benefits than it contributed, began advocating for Staten Island to secede from the City and become an independent municipality. As early as 1900, local elected officials introduced bills to allow Staten Island residents to vote on a measure to secede. An article in the Chicago Tribune on May 18, 1900, titled “Staten Island in Revolt,” described how more than 200 Staten Islanders met to demand independence and “howled revolt” over what they viewed as increased taxation.
That sentiment continued throughout the 20th century. Local residents took particular offense at the City’s decision to turn Staten Island’s Fresh Kills meadow into a garbage disposal facility in 1916, and although protests closed that facility in 1918, in 1948 it reopened as a landfill and remained in operation until 2001.
Secession came to the forefront again in 1989, when a new City Charter greatly reduced Staten Island’s representation in city government. In 1993, a vote to adopt a proposed charter for a new City of Staten Island was approved by a two-thirds majority of Staten Island voters. The secession movement met opposition from some elected officials in the City and State of New York, and stalled in the New York State Assembly in 1994. However, the issue remains active on Staten Island.
Consolidation Ballot
1894
The handwritten inscription indicates that someone counted 98 ballots like this one, “FOR Consolidation,” during the election of November 6, 1894. The 98 ballots noted in the inscription likely refer to the contents of one ballot box.
The Staten Island Independent newspaper of November 9, 1894, reported that the vote totals on Staten Island were 5,246 in favor of consolidation, and 1,447 against.
Protest Rally Ribbon, “Fair Play for Staten Island No Garbage”
May 3, 1916
Less than 20 years after Staten Island became part of New York City, the issue of trash disposal led to a major clash between local residents and City government. The City proposed opening a garbage disposal facility in Staten Island’s Fresh Kills meadow, and local residents rose up in opposition. More than 2,000 Staten Islanders crowded in and around City Hall in Manhattan on May 3, 1916, to let the Mayor know of their concerns. As reported in The Evening World on that date, “Mayor Mitchel was roundly hissed at the City Hall this afternoon when he appeared in the Board of Estimate chamber to preside over a hearing on the matter of establishing a municipal garbage plant on Staten Island…”
Although nothing was resolved that day, continuing protests led to the facility's closure in 1918. However, in 1948 the location was reopened as a landfill, and it remained in operation until 2001.
Sign, “Vote Yes”
1993
This pro-secession sign was displayed on the lawn of a home in Emerson Hill, Staten Island.
Secession poster, "CITY OF / STATEN ISLAND / The first city of the 21st century"
1993
This poster was acquired at a rally staged at Fort Wadsworth on November 4, 1993, the day after an election in which Staten Islanders voted to move toward separating from New York City.
Tea Bag
1993
This tea bag’s inscription proclaims Staten Island as the “First City of the 21st Century.” These were distributed at a pro-secession rally following the November 1993 election in which Staten Islanders voted to move toward separating from New York City. The tea bag, a reference to the original "Boston Tea Party" which took place on the eve of the American Revolution, symbolized the sentiments of those Staten Islanders who felt unduly taxed by the larger city.
“VOTE YES” Pin Button
1993
Supporters of secession used pins, posters, lawn signs, and a variety of printed materials to encourage fellow Staten Islanders to vote in favor of separating from New York City.