New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-23
THE CENTRAL PARK.

in regard 10 that great WOrh vi PuOA0A I'M AV''" -
resources of the Board it seems, amount altogether,
including Legislative appropriations, and small sum
received from other sources the sum OF I'D 80.
Up TO the Let of July last there had been expended
Al O52 $50 90 Of this sum- leaving still for use, when
needed only $1,O39, l46 49, That such sum, how
ever il not sufficient for the work proposed Is very
evident to the Committee who estimate that the cost
of finishing the Park TO street
will be 81 6lS $780, Adding to this the amount already
amended the probable total cost of the Park will
be So $50 S74 95. 1t may be larger even than this as
the plans for that portion of the ground lying between
Northumberland. sixth and Observation-Disclosures
strees are still undetermined and the cost OF construc
ton may be larger than the estimate, about *o,OOO
for that portion This estimate OF the construction
of the whole work, however, is on the suppos1on
that it shall be completely hnished-the ornamental
portion as well the useful and absolutely essential
TO make it place Of public resort. Should dlscrlm-
nation of this sort be made. some ornamental PONDS
be omitted roads and walks left unopened, architec-
tural bridges uninterrupted iron fences and gates un-
built and only that work finished which is absolutely
necessary the amount required for the Immediate COM
petion of 50 much Of the Park the Cmmttee think
should not be left incomplete is 81, 5S6172. Tine Com
mee have no doub that the truest economy will be to
make thorough work, and to complete every portion OF
the Park whether merely ornamental or useful st the
came time. as far as it is possible TO do So But It
is for the Board to decide whether it is most for the
public interest to continue upon plan of thorough
" ness, permanency, and beauty, or deferring the
" more costly structures enply lay out and plant
driving and walking place, to be elaborated here
CATER"
There are two expenditures which the Committee
think may be avoided for the future The Office in the
lower part of the city, maintained at annual cost Of
nearly 81 eco, they believe may be dispensed with
and they recommend that further purchases be made
of the Nova Scotia stone the cost Of which is excess
ive The plans of bridges the construction OF which
has not been approved by the Board they propose shall
be recommted, that superhuous ornament may be dis
pensed with. The estimated cost of finishing such of
the structures as have been already commenced is
nearly $20O,OOO
No provision for the current expenses of the Park
has yet been made. 1t s likely that these, which
now CT the fund provided for construction,
will be less for several years to than $l65,OOO
year. The sum for such purpose is comparatively
small one. The cost of keeping the smaller parks, or,
more properly squares of this city for the year 1871
was $23 SOP 20. They space Of So acres while
the area of the Central Park exclusive Of the reservoirs
is 702.68 No expense is incurred for police,
gate-keepers irrigation planting In the squsres the
cost of keeping the Central Park in the ratio with
them and with the exceptions would be $500 OOO
But this annual expenditure, whether much little,
should not the Committee reason, and very justly,
come ont Of the fund for construction. They recon-
mend therefore, that the Legislature be applied TO for
a law requiring the Board of Supervisors to raise by
taxation no. to exceed $60, 900 until the year
1861, and $l2O, 600 thereafter.
1t is, however, hoped thst the Park may become
eventually source OF some revenue, and thus de-
crease rather than increase the burden of taxation.
Exhibitions afordng both amusement and instruction
to the people, may be permitted to be established under
proper regulations either 10y individuals associations,
such as botanical and geological gardens and halls for
music. Boats for the lakes, places for refreehment,
licenses for invalid chairs and perambuators and the
grazing Of sheep may ali be made source of profit.
The maintenance of order and propriety within the
Park is subject Of paramount Importance az on this
must depend its future character and wheher il shall
be blessing a to the city. The Commission
ere have now right by law TO employ police force,
and that in the Park is appointed only at their sugges
ton, by the Police Board. While acknowledging the
courtesy and consideration of that Board, the Com
mittee maintain that the Commissioners Of the Park
should have exclusive control in this matter. The
training Of park-keepers is necessarily very different
from that Of street policemen They must understand
and be subjected 10 different set Of rules from the
Others and for that purpose need special instruction
Their efficiency, therefore, seems 10 require that they
should be distinct force appointed and subject to
moval by the Park Commissioners. And this il is
serted would be the most economical method of ar
raDgemept as regular force thus trained and created
aided by special force which might be called into
ton when needed, would be all that the Park would
require. This special force would be in the regular
workmen on the grounds, ~ whom special powers may
be given without increase Of pay to be ased
sion may arise. Fifty regular men, under the exclu
rive control of the Board, and with such reserve
force is thought would be all that would be needed
for some years TO come.
Tie Committee urge that the question Us 10 the ex
act extent and limit of the authority of the Board IN
the management of the Park should be very carefully
considered variety of ordinances necessary 70
preserve that perfect order and management without
which 30 large Park is worse than useless. They
relate to the admission OF animals the speed At which
they may be driven, the places where they NAV no:
and they must regulate also, not less carefully and
the admission of men, their behavior.
their sports, their pursuits, their coming and |
going and all that they may do, and may not do
within the enclosure. 1t il absolutely necessary that
The exact powers Of the Commissioners on all Zach
matters shond be carefully sscerssned ha,
lbey may neither overstep their suthOrty, como