The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-21

years. almost unaided and alone, we preached
and prayed for a great park worthy of this
metropolis. In every form of argument we
urged it's necessity, not only for the toiling
millions who will soon inhabit this island, but
for the owners Of property, which must inevi-
tably depreciate in grandeur and in wealth if
this city should grow up mere wilderness of
storehouses.
At length our arguments and appeals were
heard, and the Legislature, in 1853 authorized
the establishment Of the Central Park, en-
bracing about $50 acres, and enclosing the
reservoirs of the Crotch Aqueduct, which will
cover space Of 40 acres of water. So far so
good. The Supreme Court appointed commits
sioners to make q valuation of the land and to
assess portion OF the expense upon adjoining
lands directly benefited. We were then met
before the commissioners who ought to have
completed it in six enthusiastically in one
year. Yet they were in no hurry to expedite
the work, and we were compelled to direct pub
ic attention to their gross and inexcusable de-
lays. AT last the force of public opinion drove
them to do their duty, and, at the end Of two
years, last December their report was ready to
be presented to the Court for confirmation.
Thus we succeeded in securing the next great
step, and hoped that the consummation of
our wishes and the object Of SO much labor
was near its fruition. But then, as if to
show that no great object can be at
tanned without difficulty, we are met with
nj al onr oola
case is brought before Judge Roosevelt,
large taxpayer, and surrounded with numerous
relatives, also of great wealth, and, though it
is objected that motives Of delicacy, at least,
should induce him to decline sitting, he per-
sisted and determined to hear the case. The
Mr.. Wood Mr.. Lord, Mr. Edmonds, Mr.. Fuller
ton, and the entire bar, both for and against
the confirmation, then objected that the Judge
was directly interested in the decision of the
cause, as the owner of lands Immediately adj
joing the area Of assessment for benefit. Oue
of the questions to be argued aud decided is
whether this area should not be extended
over much larger surface, which would en-
brace the lands of the Judge. This objection
is valid and transparent to every man ; but
the Judge nevertheless, has adjourned the
case from time to time, unable to see what
was clear to everybody else. Thus, no lcss
than nine adjo1rnments have been ordered for
the mere purpose Of deciding this simple ques-
ton from the 18th December to the 22d, 24tb
10th, 2Sth, and January It'll, 9th, and noo
finally to the 2lst- to-day. This, we are bound
in frankness to say, is nothing less than judi
cial trifing, altogether unworthy Of the subject
and Of the court 1t is not surprising that
under the laws for preserving the purity of the
judiciary, the Judges in this district should be
found disqualified for sitting ia case which
affects directly, either by awards or by as
sessments, fully one-third of the entire island
But if no Judge can be found here who is not
disqualified, why should there be any delay in
calling upon some Of the other Judges ia the
interior to come and decide the case?
We ehall not let this matter rest. We do not
intend that the labors ofso many years shall be
thrown away just in the moment Of expected
consummation. Petty interests and narrow
views must not be tolerated Those who have
not the head to understand nor the heart 20
appreciate the great object must stand aside
The health beauty and material prosperity
the city, demand its speedy accomplishment
take exception. The case comes up again to
day and We hope for come decisive action.