The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-13

MORE CENTRAL Park UEVELOPENENTS.-lt
seems that the end Of the Central Park history
is not yet. We now proceed to Icy few more
facts before the public.
One of the originators Of the scheme was
Robert Dillon, late Corporation Counsel, who
espoused the idea warmly when in Office. With
the aid of the. Independent press this gentle
man succeeded in defeating the opposition
made by sundry old fogy taxpayers, who did
not see the benefit the city would reap from
the park, and had bill introduced into the
Legislature to authorize the purchase of the
land. Mr.. billions idea was that the expendi-
ture Of the money and the laying out Of the
ground should be confded to q board Of COM
missioners, consisting of such men as Wash
ington Irving, George Bancroft, William G
Bryant, and others who had been in Europe
and were competent to Judge Of such matters;
but unfortunately this measure was con6ded
to the hands of Mr.. Dan. Sickles, through whose
negligence and carelessness it was lost. The
main measure passed, however, the Mayor pro-
ceeded to take measures for the opening Of
the park, and requested Mr.. Dillon-whose in
terest in the Improvement had familiarized
him with the subject-to draft an ordinance
which he could lay before the Common Coun-
Gil. Mr.. Dillon complied; and in the body
of the ordinance he again inserted the
names above mentioned-Irving Bancroft,
Bryant-with others, as suitable and we'll
chosen. The Mayor received it, thanked
the author, quietly drew his pen through the
list of names, and substituted his own and that
of Comm issioner Taylor; and in this shape the
ordinance was passed.
The net result Of this little trick is that the
whole control over the laying out of the
grounds and the expenditure Of the money
(some six or eight millions, be it remembered,)
lie placed in the hands Of the Mayor-for Mr..
Taylor is certain to play mere second fiddle.
The Mayor has gilded the pill by nominating q
consulting council of literary men and othera
They will figure like Louis Nspoleons Senate,
and will have the privilege of enregistering the
DEGREES Of his Honor the Mayor, under penalty
Of instant dismissal if they venture to discuss,
OF want to know, you know" The Mayor
has also hired rooms in the Shoe and Leather
Bank, set up an Office there, and appointed
clerks-the whole without shadow or color of
law, and of his ownpure will and mere motion.
The consequence to the public will be-
firstly, that they will have no better security
for the proper expenditure of the immense
sum Of money the establishment of the park
will cost, than is afforded by the personal
character of q partisan and unpopular Mayor
and secondly, that however the money may be
wasted, however corruptly applied, the park
may be so lily laid ont as to be disgrace to
the city. Already we hear that the Mayor has
resolved upon circular drive of three miles
or so round the park, inside. No one needs to
have lived more than six months in the city to
be aware that this would become race course
for the Bowery b'hoya The plan will, no
doubt, secure their votes for Mayor Wood
when he wants them; but it cannot fail to
destroy the character of the park-t to make it q
curse, and not a blessing in q word, to trans
plant the Bowery and Five Points there bodily.
Mr.. billions plan was to have winding drives
with sharp curves, following the inequalities Of
the land, 90 that no one could possibly drive
fast horses there. But the whole now is in the
hands Of the Mayor.