The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-25
TIKI CENTRAL PARK.

TIKI CENTRAL PARK.
Reports - the Majority ana nlinsrity Of the
Com.saetse on the Manner OF Ooasg the
Work On the Central Park.
THE MAJORITY REPORT.
Inc Special Committee, to whom was referred resoiu-
ton OF this Board 70 inquire and report w1e her any
work and 30 what work. be sdvapt 20 sly con-
busted by contract instead Of dag work, RESPECTFULLY
report that they have given the subec. careful atnon,
with view 10 arrive 81 the mode best calculated for
eoononca and speedy completion OF the improvements
Of tho Park and have been led 70 the conclusion that
by contract. The reasons for this conclusion sre =
variety and peculiarly OF the work to be per
difficulty In 90 preparing the contracts that they you'd
not interfere with each other, that ,nouy could
poyed
fbus the removal OF earth for the formation or the
lakes may a. the same expense be cartel for ta skng
may at the same expense be deposited where needed
tor q lawn, and SO constant economy of lsoor result
which cczen consrscssrs would not sad csa 20, prsc
tice contemplate Ia their estimates, while variation
OF tns line OF road or form OF lake would lead 70
claims for extra work and perhaps ID tedious s alton
and delay,
secord-In order to contract the work, shs entlr
GROUND would have 10 be again surveyed aud corps o.
engineers employed TO prepare specifications, working
plans and other details preparatory to the issuing OF pro
posas bios the present surveys admitted to bs
insccaIs,e and uprelisble rhe people are rostvs
and uawilYg TO have longer delay. rnsy have hal
theoretical Working long enough; they want noS pra'a
rb,rd-1There can be no justeable economy in having
the work performed by contract This Conmission /,
quite competent TO engage leoogers and zee that they
work faithfully any contractor be- aod 10 tae eu
ploy OF Aoorers upon the improvements OF be city
by coy exac,icrs upon them Toe wages paid TO tas
working mau is M item 10 our city expenditures never
objected to by the taxpayers. particularly whsa .as
trail Park OF character that nearly the whole
expenditure Ia for labor, and II contracted for the
log the wo,kIrg man. perhaps BY causing hin 70 take
lees than fair wages which shosld not be sanctioned BIZ
tns Com msscn whsse aim Il shouid be to tavs faithful
mas be replied, it has been stated oy member Of
this Commission, that we are limited By tag IN our
expenditures. and that &c can only know II We are
undertaking 20 carry gu, plan which will be with
in or lima By having y coutacsst To this it Is
answered that the estimates OF the plan adopted
within the limit by large amount, and C,m
sou 10 Ine exercise OF their best Judgement and in .ns
practice o: udc,ous economy fra bal these estimates
are too low ara tina, their funds fall snort Of TIE anoun;
required to complete the Improvements, 1t will pc salts
iaotoo ,okoow that IN what has been DONE The money
has been spent, not in fsncui structures marble
embellishments, but in providing for the poor man rs foe
the rich space where in green lawns soh rural walks
ard drives, may be found recreston and enjoyment
In corc1son, the undersigned would remark, that II
this great lie prosecuted energecally ct prdenty
tos Giving evldeoce and hope tina, the benefits Of me
Park are soon 8, DO geo. Commissioners will nave
the appreciation Of their fellow Ctzeca; II, the
trsyy tne ufosecuop OF the improvements dssys1 or
retarded By useless discussion about prelnrsres in
cobe pse1 chspses o; their adopted plan thus shown
themselves dcke sad decided, ,he people, whose
the irosecu,on OF paL Of procedure (which they dis
spp'ovs" They own the Park ana are most interested
The unansgred recommend the adoption Of the follow
Received, Tas is expediept that the work on the
Cen,rsiPnk be cone by contract.
CHARLES ELLIOTT,
Majority OF the Com ntsse.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
The undersigned, majority OF q committee appointed
go inquire and report to the Bear whether s0y work.
90 va ~
ed by contract Instead & days wo5l," respect.
fully reports:-Tns Board having devoted he last
fmx for permaoeut construction, aSd havog
adopted pan for laying out the PARK is prspared TO
er ter upon ia third and final cuty.he execution o. the
pian in the most faithful and economical msnuer.
Ahoush the undersigned regrets that the plan adopted
by se board does no, p.oyae for .ne nree
drive and walk, separately and distpctyes the very
amount Of WORK 70 be done upon aa area OF nearly
lion, and the mos: minute aod reliable estimates OF its
probable ex pense.
II the history OF public expenditure establishes ore
truth more clearly than another, Il he ths-tnAt work
should be undertaken by tho government which be
done by individuals and that all public work should be
security subject 70 the constant Inspection, supervision
and control Of vgian, and accomplished officers, ap-
This erh has become firmly established, and Is now
20 uriversy concedcd that all the works projected by
the NATIONAL State and city government with excep
icus, executed by ooatrsct and, indeed the city
Corporation s prohibited by express law from executing
]
rhe question thea arises whether the works upon The
Central Pnk should form exception 10 this general
rus; ana becomes mpostAn, 70 INQUIRE ana c'nsi er
selves different from other works ooostruciei by the
sovrnment, -h.ch readsrs inpossble oc nsrpsiiens
10 have them constructed by cootract
| The work. upon the Park will DO tncss Of
| l. Drainage.
2 rreDchinx.
3 Irrigation.
4 Poo1s ard lakes.
g. Roads
8. Estrsnoes, lodges and other buildinys
!. Planting u trees.
In regard TO drainage, the Bard is vel aware tia.
the manufacturers Of tile contract, not only fof the
Materials ou, also for syrs the pipe, and warrant the
satisfactory operation Of their work and
have adopted this system Of drainage upon
privre estates There Ia no difficulty whatsoever in dnd.
ing manufacturers Of The most abundant responsibility
ready 70 undertake The work
rrenchipg oonsets In digging the ground with spade
Tor several feet below the surface, removing the loose
stone and exposing the cub soil THIS In only another
form OF what usually called the clearing aud
breaking up OF snd, which In almost universally done
throughout the country By contract ate liked price per
acre.
irrigation Doshng than the laying OF pipes fro
The squeduot 70 furnisb desznaied pisces wasre
may be wanted 70 mo,isn The roads and refresh ysss
tsIoo. II IS rot essy 70 ses 10 what respscs This dfss
from the lsyss Of oroton pipes IN the city, watch al
ne construction ., ponds and lake. involves two de-
scripsicns Of work
fir.An excavation, aod putting the eEcsvAiei earth
| where Il may be waited; AID
Second ia lining The bottom aud SIDES With coDcre,s
or puode 70 peveni tne sotofp'oa OF tne WAFER Ioe
largest example Of this description Of work upon record s
that o, TIE new reservoir ore hundred ,nd acres IN
extent, Dow under actual conirucor BY contract, within
1 the area cf the Park.
Roass whether they be rail HcAism turnpks or ordl.
psry country roads. universally built by
tract that n difficult 10 understand Why the reads q the
Ce-usl PARK should form ary exception.
Entraroes, lodges and ether buildings too similar 10
ercc,cn- constantly made By privsie individuals eel
By the government and constantly made By c,rTas
TO Justify snoh works upon the Cenia Park 70 be male
| any other
The planning OK trees and shrubbsry u The ,exi and
s description q work 70 be docs upon The Park
10 the Nment Of the undere xnet would be imposs.
bic 20 CONVEY ny any specification me rscssses OF tue
Ps thu particular rhe Sc ccou Of tree N ali ;ner