The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-07-18

IDNESDAY, JULY 49, 1876,
THE NEW CENTRAL PARK-THE New CRoroN
REsKRvoR-T THE New WAsHNGroN Market
THE New EMIoRANr DEPor AT CASTLE GARDEN
-IHE NEW CRY HALL--Tbe pubic mind has
been in state Of pleasing excitement with the
various projects which have been proposed dur
ing the last tour or dee years for The emoeilish
mept a, d Improvement Of the city. Oar citi-
zens began 10 indulge in tue hope that New
York vou,d eventually rival some of ths irst
ciries of the Old World in the splendor Of hec
public works, and that her vast material wealth
would be expended not ouIy in the erection OF
warehouses and the building of ships, but ia
works of art for the refinement and cultivation
OF the popular taste. One of the 6rst and most
important OF the projects presented, was
large park in the centre of Manhattan Islaad,
which would BE- tree to all. and ~h'ch We we're
told would not be surpassed by the iaest about
London. A report was made on the subject
about two years ago in the Legislature by Mr..
Cooley the Common Couocil discussed
it over and over again with their
usual volublity, and it was fondiy
imagined that the work woald be commenced
in year from that time. Two " ars, however,
have elapsed, and we appear now to be az far
off as ever from the realization Of the project.
The Commissioners, whose duty it was TO re-
port on the value of the land embraced within
the limits of the Park, have not, so far as we
have been able to learn, even entered upon
their work, and as they are paid for every day
they meet since their appointment, whether they
are engaged or NOT, it is not likely that they
will be prepared to report for another twelve
months. Would it not be well for the Counsel
to the Corporation 10 look into the matter, and
let the public know what progress, If any, has
been mades 1t is time that stop was put to
this shamsful system Of imposition on the pub
lie, and we Aow OF no better way OF doing so
in the present case than by making an expos.
ure of the can uct of those Commissioners.
VIII Mr. Dillon inform us how much those gen.
tlemen have already received of the peoples
money, and tell us, also, what they have done
for it?
In connection with this there IL another
matter of the most vital Importance to the city,
and in relation to which the same culp able
negligence and indifference has been exhibited
by our au hcrities. We allude to the new
Croton reservoir, the necessity for which is
becoming more imperative every day. The
capacity of the present reservoir is only suni-
cient to supply the demands of our immense
and rapidly increasing population, and IT a
breakage, or any such serious accident occurred,
the consequences might be of the most fearful
character A few moaths ago portion OF the
works gave way, and although the damage was
comparatively trifing o large force of men had
to be employed night and day 10 repairing it,
that the city might not be deprived of its usual
supply of water, Accidents Of this kind are liable
at any moment, and we shrink rom coatem
plating the fearful sacrifice oflife by which they
might be attended. The Mayor has already
called the attention Of the Common Council to
the matter, but we think it would be advisable
for him to remind them of it again, as their
memory about such things appears to be none
OF the best.
The rebuilding of Washington Market
another of the projects which the Common
Council have had under consideration-seems
to have been totally abandoned. Our readers
may remember that the plans for this ssru :ture
were made out that the necessity for it was
admitted by every one, except q few discoa-
tented individuals about the market; that
about three acres were taken in from the river
Tor the purpose, and that 1t was said the work
could be finished ia less than ayear. More than
three years have passed since the proposition
was made, and the first stone of the new market
has not been laid, while the old building is at
present in such ruinous condition that it
threatens to tumble down on the he ads Of its
present occupants. The space which has
been filed in is covered over with old
wooden shanties, which are anything but
an ornament. and the streets are almost i'm.
psssable in wet weather in consequence of the
dirt. In fact, Washington Market, Instead Of
being what it should be-one Of the cleanest In
the city-is the most irregular, the most
crowded, and the flthiest. As to the erection
Of new structure, the public seem to have
lost ell hope, and if something is not done very
soon about it, the whole subject will shortly
be forgotten.
Inc ldst pTOJect UeIorc Tue Couuiou Couucu
if we may Judge from the fate Of those to which
we have just referred, will also fail through
That new City Hall will be erected in course
Of time we have no doubt, for the city cannot
do without it; but that it will be put uoder
way in less than five or ten years, would be
vain to expect, unless through some remrka-
BILE stroke Of good fortune. Plans of the
building have been presented, but no
thing definite has yet been decided on,
nor has it even been settled in what part Of the
city it will be erected. Like all other en-.
templated public improvements, it has become
complete speculation, aud it is useless to ex-
pect tre Common Council to do any thing about