The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-07-24

her that "Sehastopol never will be taken; the
Russians may blow the whole place, allied
armies and all, as high as Mississippi steam
boat boiler 'on BURST"
--===----
The New Central Park Again-Ths Reason
the Commissioners DON'T p, port.
We are glad to perceive that the public are
becoming aroused in regard to the delay in the
opening OF the Central Park. A few days since
we called attention to the fact that the Conmis-
sioncrs who were appointed over year ago had
not yet made their report on the subject, and at
the same time we requested the Counsel to the
Corporation to inform the public what progress,
If any, had been made. Whether Mr.. Dillon
has procured the necessary information or not,
we are unable to say; but great deal of i'm
patience has been manifested for some time
past by the people, to know what those Com
nissioners have been doing; and it is absolutely
necessary that some steps should be taken at
once to satisfy them upon this point. 1t may
be well for those gentlemen to know that we
are determined to publish all the facts that are
in or may come into our possession, aud that
we shall not cease to refer to the subject until
full and satisfactory report Of their proceed
ings is made to the public.
We will here state few facts, showing
the course pursued by those Commission
ers since their appointment, that the public
may have proper appreciation Of their con-
duct. When they were appointed, it was
known, or at least suspected, that they were
inimical to the project, and y was feared by
those who were favorable to it that they would
lend all their influence TO ensure it's defeat. So
far, their conduct has justified those apprehen-
sions; but we have no fears that they will be
successful in their endeavors. We will, how
ever, let the facts speak for themselves, leaving
the public to Judge. When it was generally
believed that the question of the Central Park
was settled, and that the Commissioners had
been appointed, a petition signed by about
forty persons doing business down town, was pre-
sented in the Board Of Councilmen in April, 1854,
askiDg that the dimensions of the Park be cur
tailed, in consequence Of the excessive
taxation with which the city would be
burdened for the purchase Of the land.
The petition also called upon the Com
mon Council ITO take proper steps to secure the
passage Of an amendment to the law by which
said park was directed to be established, re-
stricting it's size to some more reasonable Ii
mits." Our readers should observe particularly
that this request was made by about forty per.
GODS out of population Of over three quarters
Of q million, all Of whom, with this Insignificant
exception, were in favor Of this great project,
and were looking forward to SPECIALIZATION with
the most pleasing antcipations. The petition
was granted in the Board Of Councilmen, and in
the early part Of 1855, after the term of por-
ton of that Board had expired, it came up in the
: other branch of the Common Council, where
the action of the Councilmen was concurred in.
A committee was appointed to investigate the
subject, and this committee, after holding one
or more meetings. reported favorably to
the prayer of the petition. Now, as
usual in such cases, the committee invit-
ed all who were opposed or favorable
to the project to appear before them
and state their reasons for or against the mea-
sure; and strange and incredible as it may
seem, among its opponents were the very
gentlemen who bad been appointed Com.
missioners. 1t must not be forgotten, also,
that they were receiving pay for their SER
vices while acting in that capacity, and that
instead of carrying out the object Of their ap-
pointment as speedily as possible, they were
doing all they could, by opposition and delay,
to defeat that object. Fortunately, however,
for the interests Of the city, Mayor Wood was
not OF the same opinion as the Common Coua-
ell, and when the resolution was submitted to
him for his approval, he, with his characteristic
promptness and good judgment, at once vetoed
1t. The reasons he gave for this action were
universally approved. He stated in his veto
that though 1t was proposed only to take from
the Central Park portion Of the area agreed
upon, which was about onefourth, still it would
be in effect blow at the whole. He
als o said, with equal truth, that any propo-
sition having for its aim an interference with
the work as originally devised, and which will
encourage delay, and retard the proceedings
Of The commission, already too long protracted
will, in my opinion, leopard the success of the
most intelligent, philanthropic and patriotic
public enterprise which has been undertaken
by the people Of this city since the introduction
of the waters of the Cro.on river"
The chief objection urged by the opponents |
Of the park is the excessive taxation to which |
the city must be subjected for the payment of
the land required. To reduces this, it was pro-
posed to cut off thirteen blocks--that is, to have
its lower or southern boundary terminate at
SeveDty-second street instead of Fifty ninth, as
was at first proposed thus curtailing its dimen-
sions by about one hundred and sixty acres,
and cutting off the best and most accessible
part. Now, it appears that within the portion
which it was proposed to cut off there are
large number of lots belonging to the Cor
poIation, and that after these and the ground |
required for streets aud avenues and the pro-
posed reservoir, besides what Is already occu-
pied by the State Arsenal, are deducted, the |