New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-05
From Our Own Correspondent
ALBANY, Saturday, March 3, 1862
THE CENTRAL PARK.

From Our Own Correspondent
ALBANY, Saturday, March 3, 1860.
THE CENTRAL PARK.
We had lively debate last evening on the bill to
authorize the City of NewYork to raise 81 500 600 for
the completion of the Central Park. Under the order
of third reading of bills during the morning session
Yesterday pending motion 10 recommit the Park bill,
with Instructions Mr. ConklDg moved 10 lay the blu
on the table, which was agreed to.
Last evening Mr.. Smith OF New-York moved to take
the bill from the table, and supported bis motion at
some length
Mr.. Conkling opposed the motion and desired more
light as to the estimated cost Of finishing up the Park
before taking final action on this important bill While
he was in favor Of granting two and half millions or
even three millions il necessary for the improve
tive assurance from the Commissioners that such an
amount would finish il. He commended that the
report in answer to his resolution did not give
" an estimate in detail of the cost OF the
he therefore desired to Tecommit the bill
that the Commissioners might amend their report.
He defired know and so did the taxpayers OF New
York, how many more bridges, how many more miles
of Carriage roads bride roads, and walks are required
how many lineal yards of sewers thousand feet OF
drain tile Of water pipe, cubic yards OF excavation,
&C.. are required to finish the Park. Ascertainng
the he desired TO know the cost per mile per thousand
feet per cubic yard &C., DC, of the same classes OF
work AZ far as the work has progressed, predcatng
the future expenditure upon the past expenditure and
experience. If the Commissioners had no! Kept Their
accounts in such way to be able 70 furnish sucn
data then in the opinion of MIR. Conkng, they have
been amending money in q reckless manner, IN such
way as they would not permit in their own private
AFFAIR." and therefore amenable to the charge OF
incOmpetency.
MIR, Conkirg contended that the Commissioners had
not exe cieed proper Judgment in departing 30 widely
from their original plan, as such action involved an
enormous additional outlay. Inc orlglnai pan ne
said was estimated by Meisrs. Vaux ~ Olmsted tits
desppelsl one and half millions. Two millions had
already been expended, and two and half millions
more were asked for without any guaranty thas
even that amount Will be sufficient TO nish the work
The original plan contemplated nine brdgesat cost OF
goo coo. There are now % or 81 constructed or in
course Of construction and over 40 in all are eontem-
plated One bridge for foot passengers would cost,
said Mr.. Conkling, nearly as much as was contem-
plated for the original nine.
The estimates accompanying the original plan had
proved so facous tha no confidence could be placed
In them For instance: the widening OF tltty.nnth
street was put down at $40 O00 and will cost so 0OOi
the promenade was estimated at 5000. while the
trees alone cost nearly that amounts the terrace and
fountains for the promenade estimated ut S2UOo
while they would cost $50 OOOi the attractions
of the arsenal were estimated at $1,000, while Mr..
Yaux's present estimate is CAS- 000-and on to the
end Of the chapter In view Of these faets Mr. ConK-
ling thought Il due to the tax payers and the Leglsa-
tuTe that some guaranty should be gwen that tnis
expenditure should stop somewhere The Legisla'
ture, since the estimates Of the Commissioners
had been 70 taacious in the past could only Judge OF
The necessary expenditures Of the future by the actual
results Of the past. Therefore it important that
the Legislature should have the detailed information
called for by bis revolution and that the Commission
es having had nearly three years in which study and
mature their plan ought to know by this time exactly
what they want They should now DO required to ME
their plan and estimates with the Controller and should
not be permitted TO depart from such PLAN Mr. e. said
II had been circulated that lie desired to have place
ne one of the Commissioners He desired to cay that
lie not ambitious Of the honor. He had been or
feTed such place as q condition Of Withdrawing bis
opposition TO this BILL and had spurned the bride.
Mr.. CoIkIDg's resolution IL as follows;
Roissd That Assembly Bill No. 81. euted. An Act for
the Government Of the Central Park In the city ofNeW-iork
aud to provide additional therefor" be reconnntied
20 the Committee Of the Whole and that The Cofnn OF
he said Park be amend their report submitted 10
this House. under inst give tue coat far
.t.d ~.