The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-21

become almost ODsOlele-snall arrest lncln, by
presenting the horrible certainty Of a shameful
death upon the gallows rs the inevitable rev.
ard of their crimes.
THE CENTRAL PARK AND Irs ENTRANCES
of the most prominent winter features of the
Central Park-the skating grounds now ready,
or will be in few days. to receive water from
the Croton reservoir within the Park enclosure,
and it will be available to the citizens for that
most delightful and healthy recreation, skating,
as soon as the frosty season sets in. 1t is very
satisfactory to know that at least portion of the
Park is so soon to be placed at the disposal Of the
people, and the present aspect of the grounds
warrants the conclusion that in its summer aspect
next season ii will afford considerable attraction,
and many facilities for public enjoyment. But it
is TO be regretted that all the features of this
they might be, considering the magnitude Of the
enterprise-the position which the park is des-
tined to assume as hygienic and recreative
element, and especially in regard to its location
as Central Park.
The great feature of all the large parks in the
world is commodious drive for carriages which
should be hundred feet in width at least, with
walk for pedestrians beside it, 80 located
that the latter should have a good view OF
The passing equipages without being incom-
NODDED by dust or exposed to danger. In our
park, unfortunately, the drive is only forty-ive
feet widc-a distance which, we tear, will be
found entirely too small for the large number OF
vehicles which will ultimately be seen whirling
through its mazes With regard to the entrances
TO the Park il will strike any one that, in view
of its central position on the island, there should
be a main gate on the western side Of the Park
rs well a. on the eastern. IL il be true, "a
has been insinuated, that private speculation
has anything TO do with locating the two prnci-
pal entrances oa Fifty-ninth street, al Fifth and
Seventh avenues, the public have much cause to
complain of the action of the Commissioners in
this regard. II is manifest that the point where
the Park grounds terminate southwestcrly, at the
junction Of Broadway and Eighth avenue, is ad-
mirably suited for grand entrance. as we have
always contendcd; yet, according to the plan
being carried out now. this portion of the Park
will present blank wall. while carriages ap-
preaching the Park by the great thoroughfare Of
broadway will be compelled 10 turn down Pity
fifth street 70 Fifth avenue to reach the principal
gateway, with its ornamental frontage and fine
plaza. Irrespective Of any private interests
which may be involved in thus ignoring the
western side of the Park rs a point Of entrance,
il is object of great public Importance that il
should be approached by main gateway at the
junction Of Broadway and Eighth avenue. and
we hope that the Commissioners will determine
TO modify the plan 80 as TO attain that desirable
Improvement before il is too late
A PAN FIRE DEPARrNENT-THE EXPERIENCE
or FrGtREs-Thc substitution of a paid fire
brigade. and the employment Of steam
fire engines for the present cumbersome and
inefficient system. have lately been strongly
urged upon the public authorities. This
was before the practical experience of one
or two Of our Western cities had demon
Strated the force OF the arguments. In our
columns to-day will be found communication
giving the statistical results Of the employment
of the new system under the conditions recon-
mended. They are 50 conclusive that we shall
10 little more than present them TO the considera
ton Of our readers.
Prior TO 1854 no accurate record Of losses by
Tire seems 10 have been kept in Cincinnati. From
tables kept since thlB. and which are quoted by
our correspondent, II appears that the losses by
fire for the three years, lass, sc and 81 during
which the paid department has been in existence.
were less by more than $4,000 than those of the
single year 1854 in which the volunteer associa-
tions had the control Of the city. The under
writers say that so convinced are they of the ad-
vantages Of the paid department that they would
sooner take the whole expense Of II upon them
selves than return TO the old system.
The paid Fire Department Of 81. Louis went
into operation on the iith Of September, 1867.
From the first semi-annual report presented to
the Corporation il appears that the losses by fire
over and above insurance. under the volunteer
system, ffom September IL, 1856, to March |.
1861, amounted to s2l2570, whilst from Sep
TENDER IA, 1857, to March l. 1868, they were
only slO3,3So, or loss than fifty per cent Of that
Of the former period further interesting re.
suit is CLEANED from this report. in regard to the
employment Of the fire telegraph IN connection
With the new system. The false alarms from
September 1867 10 1853 inclusive. were l02
whilst lor su.lar period cudius October 10,