New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-29
THE PARK AND THE POLITICIANS.

Seldom has a public work been commenced under
greater difficulties than that which, three years ago,
was intrusted to the Commissioners of the Central
Park; seldom has a careful policy seemed to be
more Necessary to gain public favor. Never has an
honest, open, straightforward policy, been more
successful; never in this country has work been
prosecuted more entirely to the public satisfaction
There is no need TO attribute unworthy motives to
those who stand now at Albany as opponents of
tie application of the Commission. That in city
of thirty thousand Taxpayers there should be no
party disposed TO object to call for two millions
and half of dollars, for any conceivable purpose,
would be incredible; that such party should have
no representation at the seat Of Government, would
have been discredtable to cur form of Government;
and those who find in the act under which the Com
mission was appointed an intention that no work
should be undertaken by it, the cost of which should
exceed million and half of dollars, have in this
fair basis for criticism upon the manner IN which
it has executed its trust The Commission has
undertaken work, to complete which will, accord
ing to ts present calculation cost more than double
that sum. The Commission has laid before the
Legislature the reasons which have controlled its
more than ninetenths Of the taxable property Of
the City are glad that they adopted the course they
did. Sill, there is in this grave ground for crit-
cism.
When we see this ground neglected and resort
had to nlnuations Of political purposes, iayOritsm
corruption and plulder, and all the hackneyed
phrases of partisan malice brought into use, it is
evident that part of the oppofiton TO the Com
mission now active at Albany is Influenced BY very
different motives, and that personal or party dis
appointments or personal ard party purposes are
quite as much served by it, as any honest respect
for law or regard for public economy. No depart
ment Of the City Government, and even perhaps
no private work Of at oil corresponding magnitude,
has ever been kept thoroughly free from pro-
f ssOnal leeches as the Central Park OF course,
DO work has been more abused. Three times has
the Common Council appointed Committees to IL
yestigate charges such as are now ndustriously
suggested against the management OF the Park;
and although the Commission has been under no
obligation to submit TO an examination by these
Committees they have invariably found every trans
action with regard to the Park, from the
largest contract to tie engagement of a gate
keeper, open to their examination before they
could make demand, and in no case mas the most
dilgent study revealed a trace of corruption, or
just ground for allegation of political or personal
favoritism. Every department of the work has
been constantly open in a remarkable degree to
public observation, ard with the universal habit Of
suspicion and inclination to crtcise the ability and
industry of all public servants constant satisfaction
with the work upon the Park has been generally
expressed; and this popular approval has been
indorsed, to our knowledge, by many professional
observers. We have been in the habit Of visiting
the Park almost daily and never have We seen
more perfect system, better order or more serious
and constant attention to duty on the part of all
engaged, on any work, public or private.
Nothing could be more regretted in this City than
an interruption or q change in the control of the
expenditure for the Park. The first would be
folly like that Of building fine house and leaving
il unroofed the second would be throwing uncer.
taibty, doubt, and irregularity upon wSrk which
has, by the exercise Of remarkable courage, pru.
dspce, and good Judgment on the part Of those