American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-16
PUBLIC SQUARES.

! MR.. EDITOR-SlR Noticing in yeur paper of this
morning, few remarks reangt the resolution pass
ed in the Second Branch of the City Council Yesterday
afternoon authoriSng the sale of the cys lot on Cav
street, and the purchase of the vacant property adj
joining the Eastern Fountain, for the purpose of a
Public Square, and expressing hope, that nothing
III ght occur TO retard or defeat it, Like many other
Tax payers i'll the city, had long given into the opin-
iOn that our taxes were too high, that economy was
the order of the day, and that we ought not spend
single dollar now, but wait until we absolutely need
ed them and could better afford it-and having heard
these sentiments so frequently repeated; became al
most convinced was entirely right, but thinking over
the subject few days since and comparing it with the
Ordinary operations of business, satisfied, that
as universal rule oflfe, none could be more inari-
Gus TO our best interest, and none more at variance
! with true economy,
! Would business with proper regard 10 his
future business wants, delay the purchase of his mer
ehandze, until the moment his customers came into
market Would sick man say, | will not send for a
doctor now, III wait till see whether will die or
not? Would ii be wise national poicy-tEat would
delay ali preparation 10 meet the expected enemy I'M
I'll they made their appearance at our doors? prcha-
or preparations made, under the pressure OF i'm
mediate wants, are always the most costly and unad-
vsed. And the policy of City Corporation, that de-
lays her provision of Public Squares and public ground
and passes by Offer after offer, of what is desirable
only, because the present necessity for them not so
apparent TO all, pursues policy just wastefu and
as much at variance with true economy.
do not believe in corporations becoming specula-
tors in property, holding more than is requisite for
corporation wants and public purposes, but do be-
lieye in timely provision of Public Squares grounds
as the best economy that could be pursued. ! do be-
lieve that but few persons have regarded Public
Squares in any other Ii yht than necessary public ex-
pense,-but take the counterpart of this position
and after thoughtful consideration of the subject
lay it down uncomfortable Rule-thnt the
timely purchase of eatenSiue Public Squares according
TO their extent, beauty aud judciouS location is the
best Kind Of economy and most certain method of de-
cTedSins The corporation expenses.
was led 10 This conclusion by the consideration of
the following questions which presented themselves
to my mnd, and which, fyour readers will have the
patience to follow me through, will think, force the
same conviction upon their minds which they did up
, on mine:
First, then, asked myself what would 80 acres of
ground around where the Washington Monument
Row is be WORTH if there was Monument no Pub
lie Squares there? answered S2e to 1875 per foot
Secondly, what is it now worth? know of one sale
on Madison street at $500 per front foot-but gene
rally, answered Sl00 to $3.50. Now there are about
800 FROM feet TO one acre. with about $50 feet deptb
to carry out this calculation, without the square
~ assess amt. taxes at 7Ocl. cty's ill.,
so acres, 800 front #.
each at $50, give 100000
Buildings about three
times the cost OF
the ground, 10000
81 5000 SS4OO
With the square SO
acres, 800 #. each,
at 500, gives 100000
Buildings al same "a
ITO of cost, 100000
-S6,00OOOO % OOO |