The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-06

the opening of the navigation. Others question
whether the supply to come on by the canals be
large enough to affect the price. Under the
circumstances the best plan for poor people to
be guided by, is to wait, and buy their -four in
small quantities for week or 80.
The Central Park-The Mayors Veto.
When Gouverneur Morris and his associates
drew up city map under the act Of the Sd Of
April, 1907, they laid out parade ground
upon land then mostly belonging to the city,
between Twenty third and Thirty. fourth streets,
and Third and Seventh avenues, containing
over two hundred and forty acres. Their plan
was, however, frustrated, and through the
means Of apolicy which every one must con-
DENIM the parade ground was cut down to Ma
Olson square, of six superficial acres. The same
niggardiy spirit is at work to-day Aldermen
needless for the future, and with more than
proverbal shallowness, look solely to the pre-
sent moment but, luckily, we have sensible
Nayor-a man who has the interests of the
city at rt-and the people Of New York
may yet realize their wishes for Central
Park.
There can be no doubt that q great majority
Of citizens entirely concur in the May or's veto
Of the resolution of the Common Council cur
failing the dimensions of the park. This reso-
luton proposed that instead of Ffty-ninth
street, Seventy second street should be its
lower boundary. The park was also to be
narrowed down-in fact, reduced to q mere
strip Of land, which would be situated (for the
present at least) in an almost uninhabited part
Of the island. The Mayor very properly OBJ
serves that the passage of such q resolution
would be blow to the whole scheme.
The arguments in favor of havinga park of
the size originally contemplated are numerous,
and have often been presented in the columns
Of this journal. As an ornament alone - is
worth the expense-as place of recreation Gbr
our citizens it is worth the expense, and as
necessity it is most decidedly worth the ex-
pense. That New York must one day become
the largest city in the word is now beyond
peradventure. That, in the natural course of
events, its population, before a century has
passed away, will amount to three millions of
souls, is also equally clear. To shield, in some
degree, such vast numbers from futare sickness,
pestilence and misery, is in the power Of legis-
lators to-day. Theirs is the responsibility.
Let them, then, be admonished by the experience
of the past, and not believe foolishly in the su-
periority Of their own wisdom. Above all, let
them take heed how they deprive our toiling
thousands Of the blessing of health. In all the
thickly populated cities Of Europe large parks
are held to be Of paramount importance-nay,
of vital necessity. Our facilities now, for Sc
curing central, and essentially popular
park, are great; in few years they will have
passed away forever. There can be no just
cause or reason why New York should lag be-
hind the rest Of the world in this particular. If
ours is to be the first metropolis on this or any
other continent, it cannot attain such q position
without some exertion on the part OF its clti.
zens.
Fiuancially-as question of assessment
the whole matter is but a trille. The Mayor 10
his veto values the lots ct $500 each. Doub-
ling that sum very high estimate-the az
gregate amount in round numbers would be
about seven millions of dollars. Deductng
four millions for assessments on property sup
lance OF three millions. This, by the act of
the 2lst Of July, 1853, is made payable by city
stocks at five per cent, reimbursable at forty
five years; it is secured by pledge Of land,
will form the best stock in the world and will,
without doubt command high premium. The
annual interest will be S2500OO, just five per
cent on the present taxation, SO that person
now paying 500 year in taxes will then pay
sos; or, calculating the population at seven
hundred and fifty thousand, the costs to each
individual win be thirty cents year, diminish
ing, of course, as that population increases.
The park which it is intended to establish in
New York has also this advantage over the
parks of all other large cities in the world-it
is geographically central. Its lower boundary on
Fifty.ninth street is the same distance from
Blocker that its upper boundary on l06th
street is from Harlem river. AT little expense
a stream of water Superior both in beauty aud
sire to the far famed Sorpentine in HYDE park,
London might be brought from one end to the
other, and, as an ornament, II would exceed
anything Of the kind in the world. The pro-
posed park has other selfevident Advantages
evident TO all, we sho1ld rather say except the
worthy Aldermen who legislate for the city's
veal.
1t has been well observed that the scheme is
not indebted to speculation for its origin. The
authors we're not actuated by selfish motives
the supporters can hope to reap no pecuuiary
prof from its success. On the contrary, those
who have been mos. jealous in the matter have
only had the interests Of the city at heart The
fees, even Of the Corporation Attorney have
been waived, and his services are given gratis.