New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-10
THE CENTRAL PARK.

We publish in another column communication
from source which we deem proper to say is OF
the most respectable character, intmating nothing
less than that certain judges of the Supreme Court
have conspred to defeat the public will in the mat
ter of the Central Park. This is grave imputa-
ton, and we sorry to say, appears not 10 be
without justification in the facts of the case Ii Is
we'll known to our readers that the establishment
Of this Park was secured through powerful mani
festaton Of the public desire for II. The vast ma
iorN of the citizens Of New-York, and among
them the most intelligent and far-seeng, We're Of
opinion that metropolis such this is destined to
be- should hayea public place for the recreation
and health of the ofts residents; and in conf
plonce with this feeling the act for the laying out
Of the Park was passed by the Legislature. Some
of the most eminent gentlemen of the community
men like Mr. Kent and Mr. Bradish, were appointed
TO make the necessary assessments; and how equt-
able and satisfactory was neutrality-suspicious.
may be Judged from the fact that when the work
was completed, the press of the city, without an
exception, including journals of the most antag0-
nistic views on almost every other subject were
unanimous in commenting the action OF these
Commissioners and in congratulating the public on
the cheering prospect that this magnificent public
ground would now at last BE- added TO the blessings
and attractions of the city. 1t would seem, how
ever that they rcckoncd without the judges of the
Supreme Court.
According to the Act establishing the Park the
assessment rolls of the Commissioners must be
confirmed by Judge Of the Supreme Court, and
TO that Court they were accordingly carried. The
hearing was fret appointed for the 18th ult, but
when that day arrived, it was postponed to the
2d then to the oath, then to the 26th then 10 the
26th, and so on. One day none OF the Judges
present, the next day some other excuse was
found, at the sane time that mysterious civngs-Out
from parties hostile to the Park to the effect that
it would be squelched by the Judges, came to the
ears of its friends At last, all other members Of
the Supreme bench being out of the way, Judge
Roosevelt was found not only ready but will
ing to hear the matter. But as be had an
indirect, if not direct, pecuniary interest
in the case, Mr.. Dillon, who, as Counsel
10 the Corporation, was charged With the
duty Of conducting the affair, felt himself bound
to protest against that judge having anything TO do
with its decision. IL ordinary cases the simple
suggestion of such obstacle, is enough; the
natural delicaey Of judge debating that hs should
never adjudicate question in respect OF which
the suspicion Of personal interest on bis part is
possible. Such a feeling, however does not ap-
pear 10 be one of the virtues of Judge Roosevelt.
Instead of promptly declining 10 act in the case,
he heard Mr.. billions protest, and then took the
matter under adVisement This made another
adjournment, but strange to say, when his deci-
SIGN came, it did not even allude 10 the point raised
by Mr. Dillon, and neither denied nor admitted that
he was pecuniarly interested. Instead of this the
Judge discovered a new point, which was that the
matter might be heard before special term Of the
full bench, including himself with all the other
Justices of the Court.
This special term came up on Monday last, the
9Th inst, and then again Mr.. Dillon protested
against Judge ROoseyelts sitting in the case, or
the same ground of personal interest Once more
that Judge exhibited the same peculiar feeling
whether of delicacy, or obstinate determination to
have hand in the decision, We do not undertake
to ssy-which he had previously manifested and
instead of his at once Withdrawing, the question
was again taken into adyisemeut, and put over to
another day That day was yesterday. and when
Mr. Dillon appeared, he found Judge Cowles alone
present. who informed him that the Court desired
to bear an argument on the question OF Judge
RooeeSelts interest. and that ii must 20 over again