The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-10
The Central Park.

WOOU-TnD
cURRAD FOE IMPROVING THE PARK ALLOWED.
The Committee on FINANCE OF the Board Of Oounclnen
met at helCy Hall yesterday consider the TAI levy -
presented by the Comptroller They Arat took into consi'
deraon what ground the Comptroller could have for re-
using to put in tho tax levy The sum of for the CON-
tnkent expenses Of the Mayors oce The Mayor being
present. stated that such had alwayn been allowed
until this year, when the Comptroller threw n out Mr.
Fagg has fund for his own use bat no refuses
TO others. II ID necessary to pay tor advertising, re-
wards carriage hire, &c. The committee decided that
the $4,000 should be put In tho tax levy The question
then arose q the amount TO BIO taxed for the Central
Park The Mayor made quite little speech upon this
question, which was substantially - follows
The statement Of the Comptroller d not correct. He
said the Commissioners assessed $500 900 for liabilities
rourrea rnon no - ss tSs M.Ss a.
OF the year be added 70 the deficiencies which had
been incurred. TO the amount Of over 500 Tne ony
difference between The Commissioners and the Comp
tYoer H. that the want certain sum TO be paid
them yearly. 10 be expended in improving the Central
stand this yearly tax makes very little difference TO
the people whether they pay Ia one year OF two the
Comm Coun:i has passed ordinance that the ren1
or moneys received from the Park should be paid the
Comptroller tor the Improvement Of the park. Quite
has been derived from this source from the sale OF
property 3d. yet dollar will the Co nptroler pay
under that ordinance. He assumes that the sum cannot
be used for that pu'p pose.
Councilman swAs-s no not supported in this view by
Nay or WooD-we did not understand II So The Com.
missoners appointed under that ordinance proceeded 70
incur liabilities not one cent which will the compro
Ter pay. The people, who have worked for the Comms
sioners, want their money and some Of tnem depend
upon for their subsist the thing can be stated In
few words. The Common Council passed an ordinance
Tor the Improvement OF the Park; certain improvements
made and the expenses thus incurred cannot be
got rid OF only by putting In the tax list the sum neces
say paying the oebts thus legally contracted BY taat
act That money, put in tho TAX lat could be got much
sooner than by getting special passed by the Legs
laiure. There Is no onanca that tue Legislature
win DO any such thing except oy putting ms amour,
estimate Of the probable expenses for Improving tho
Central Park during the year 1857. The question is,
whether there shall be special act passed oy the Le
gsaure authorizing The Board Of supervisors to raise
cersin for the purpose OF improving the Park or
whether shall be fund raised whether, ~ the
Commissioners PROPOSE tax shall be raised every year
pay for the impYove Of this PARK We 60 along
The people viii DO more apt 70 watch the subject wnen
the money being expended The question arises, saal
improve this pak shall we give the people Of New
York the object for which they are waitng2 Or shkH we
abandon it9 One the other must be done II IL no
longer . question whether We shall have park. rnas
The question is shall We improve ~ We succeeded
In getting the park and think the money will be OBJ.
thc people derive little benea. from We want soma.
thing BY which they will be identified The Comp
troler by throwing these distractions in the way 10
extent defeatng the wishes Of the people. NOW
sum be provided for the Central Park II you 60
TO the Legislature they will take away your power Ia
the matter that the money viii be expended not Ia &C.
oordance with your direction and wishes If tho Oom
Counci leaves the matter 70 the Legislature that
body viii appoint commission Of their owp, hiss bsen
done In the case Of the Governor, Of the Amsh,uae We
have TO the Legislature too much We ought 70 have
right to dispose Of ou- own taxes TO make oar local
laws, improve own parks and u build our IN
Cy Halls We do not need the Legislature to at for u.s.
There Ia other country that docs this. II s wrong
permission Improve piece property which We have
bought and paid for. Why not act for ourselves We
have the pOwsr 70 pay hal, million Or Tlasn ana we We
thing honored In the breach than Ia the OBJ
Il We 30 TO them aud ask per mslon to tax
ourselves thsy cannot refuse II We put the amount
In levy they will pass con; bot you go
TO ask special appropriation. thoy will appoint CON.
mission Of men from the country, and you will be Obliged
Mr. swAS-could they sppon. commission OF country
members on the Central Parkg
Mayor W ooD-Perhaps they would When you give
them the right 70 appoint you cannot say whom or from
what place they viii selecl Tney appointed the Hasbor
country
Mr. swAs- But the Harbor Commissioners have to do
Mayor woop-rhe Legislature could appoint such mem.
bers - they pleased In spite OF all 70 tue
oensvs sne psope Oh N9~ o,x are Cspsoo
without the Interference OF the Legislature which c,m-
posed Of men who ACT more from political purposes than
for interests. The plan in ths case IL simple ask
the Chief Engineer for estimate Of expenses for i'm
provemens Central Park for 1857 He gives It nj say
s25oooe II you put that sum in our tax levy they WILL
probably pass H. rh~ only question Is shall the psops
pay they 60 along Let this geners.ioa pay for the
improvements we make Tor we have left the nex, gene.
ration 10 pay for the aan during tho ensuing forty years
This can be done II you will prevent this separate
commission. am opposed to It, and II have
the power will work sgairsi ~ These are important
facts; here the pspers and hope you will hx upon
some sum TO for ward this desirable object,
Mr. swan eaid no did think the legislature would
appoint county commssiJntr 70 attend TO an exciu-
siveiy city matter.
The MAyos mentioned some cases where they hal done
and SAID Il you aint the principle you canuot ,aen
dictate from what place toe commissioners shak bo taken
! have done nv duty. and leave the result to you
After the Mayor retired Councilman SWAY said be would
not agree any wni IN thrcst upon him
The Mayor attempted 70 do this The Committee DO
cided allow the liabilities already incurred bat cams
70 no decision TO the sac 900 Tor the ensuing year.
THE OrERA AcABxnY-BxsESIr OF MARxrzsx.-
The present will be last night Of the Opera New