"Her former spirit lives; it lives because since consolidation Brooklyn has assumed a commanding place in the councils of the greater city. Brooklyn has chosen as her three borough presidents men of force, who have been recognized as leaders by all the boroughs. At first the borough government was a mockery of a government. It was only a government in name. Our first president, Edward M. Grout, chafed under its restraint. He demanded that the boroughs be allowed a voice in city affairs, and that local improvements be given into the charge of borough officials. To him the State Legislature listened, and his successor in that office found himself with something beside the shadow of power, and his administration was a marvel to Brooklyn in what it achieved. Other boroughs looked on in envy, while J. Edward Swanstrom set a pace so rapid that its like will be difficult to produce. Our first president, Mr. Grout, became the comptroller in the second administration of the greater city. The comptrollership of New York city is as important as that of Secretary of the United States Treasury. Brooklyn was then and is yet the dominant force in the life of the metropolis. The entire city recognized Mr. Grout to be a man acquainted with even the minutest details of the city's government. Brooklyn's place at the table of the board of estimate was a commanding one with Swanstrom and Grout in their seats, and to-day her representation there is equally good. Mr. Grout is still there. In the place of Mr. Swanstrom sits Mr. Martin W. Littleton, and by him the name of Brooklyn has been made famous from ocean to ocean, and throughout the entire South, for in him Brooklyn has a mouthpiece that thrills, and through him she speaks with a tongue of eloquence. "Since consolidation Brooklyn has been the second borough in point of population and of wealth, but in statesmanship, in oratory and in achievement she has stood pre-eminent. And while many believed that after consolidation she would lose her independent spirit, she has rather increased her old pride in herself, and this pride has been fostered and strengthened because of the worthy sons who have represented her in the government of the great city of New York, two of whom we have brought with us, that St. Louis, at times herself deceived by those she trusted, may look upon their like for once at least. Loyal to Brooklyn have been Grout, Swanstrom and Littleton, and thus inspired, has Brooklyn proved loyal to herself and faithful to her traditions.