The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-19


TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Your unexpected publication Of my private OF the
Isth mat has opened insure, into which
] propose 10 insert wedge, with which 10 open
wider the aobject Of the Central Park extension, and
indicate some views which 10 haze been stutiously
kept from the public consideration. Thus far ali that
has appeared in the public discussion Of this subject has
been side
The owners OF the property oavered by
the Central Park extension have hitherto been
silent. Their most important interests have been
seriously damaged and in the burning zeal 70 defend the
kcton Of the Central Park Board, and denonnce the
action Of the Commissioners Of Award, the important
pecuniary interests Of the Of the property in
question have been totally disregarded.
It Is nearly two years since the Commissioners Of
the Central Park, of their voltiou, but without
doubt in wise obedience public necessity, without
asking for the consent or concurrence 0. the own
ers Of the property affected thereby, obtained from
the Legislature the passage Of a law extending
the Park norhwardly from It's original, impractcable
and 1o6h street TO that natura
boundary 10th street. where the Harlem heights
gracefully unite with that wide sweep Of meadow land
which Harlem stands, and which, by this fortu
nate uxtapssition destined at very dtant pc
Rod to become portion Of pop1ous and prosperous
CITY,
The effect of the passage Of this law does not 10
have been anticipated by the Central Park Board by
the general public; but produce effects whether
men heed them not and tais day thoughtful
can lco the fact without the present conviction that
active speculation Ia property around aud adjacent to the
new boundaries Of the Park the natural result OF
important measure; and an a,ua, intrinsic and rapid
increase In values WAS inevitable.
Speculation followed, OF course The rrepcessble in
teIecual activity of the entcrprsng men OF this con-
munity seized upon the important movement and en-
deavored 10 turn it to their profit Unexpected CONNER
ciaI and political cmbnrassmeDts have broken upon
them and tho Of brave who step posts
OF danger impends over them.
The Commissioners Of Estimates and Awards appointed
under the law in question, after The delay Of
eighteen months, made their report.
The Of the property, who generally active
men, of enterprise and character, ard Of them
OF wealth, brought every honorable influence 10 bear
upon this commission and every available proof of pre-
sent and prospective value, to obtain thereby apprase
ments Of their property corresponding with their
well considered convictions OF value.
The purpose Of this communication will not be answered
by either assaing defending any character any
terest connected with the subject. therefore
fine myself to historical events o. which the public
hut partially informed, and which, when
thoroughly UNDERSTOOD VIII extract the poison which has
been insidously pstlod into the public mind, and has
found expression whenever personal purposes or partisan
malgnity could be gratied. But OF ihis do not
plain have doubt that three years OF prosperity
will vndicate the justice Of the claims OF the OF
the property and the general accuracy Of the apprase
made in their behalf. Thus far We have In quets
and confidence forbore " notice the public assaults
upon interests, and sought remedy only by APP
peal the Of justice OF the right honorable gentle
men whose official action alone afford relief.
2, Tue pc ~ T Us aps ,Se o
rested tn have any knowledge Of the subject in contro
and but very few have gwen tho subject that pa
tent thought and investigation which alone will enable
them 70 express wise and compreher s,ve Judgment
upon the valuation Of the Commissioners OF Awards.
The assessments for benefit large and fell upon
another class Of and influential men, who resisted
the infection, OF course, and made their influence felt by
the Central Park board, with that characteristic
tnergy which Mas made cny the marvel
OF the world This dissatisfaction likewise found vent In
thousand tongues, and reaoy press, exciting clsmor
and anger, eliminating at last in summary discontinue
by the Central Park Board OF all proceedings under
the law, leaving tho property owners, nj period Of uni
yersal panic and distrus, suddenly encumbcred with
large upmproved real estate, which, by tho sovereign
authority Of the State, has 70 and declared
park, and shich the faith of that authority,
public park, with every street and avenne closed by
law and the property seized and held by that Law for
future public nse, without that Just compensation which
Men iudge the value Of real estate with very much
the inconsidcrate freedom with which all mcR in
free country this age Of free though. dogma,tzo
upon the most abstruse questions In theology They an
know nj about IT., without the trouble Of any In
vetteation aud utter their profound dogmas with the
only state fact.
To attain just judgment upon the value Of unmprovcd
real estate, taken Tor public uses, work OF consider
able difficulty. There b. reliable standard OF
value, aud the varied minds and tcnperamcnts OF
irterpose nsupcratle obstacles 70 any well defined and
conclusive Judgment. II is ore Of the subjects which
the exact sciences cannot define, and Ia which mathe
mates will not tell the truth.
II is therefore not strange that when every differing
ndgn ent was atsaod and interest, directly
directly, attacked, either by assessment or by proba
bile increase OF taxation the a,mosphore should have
been died by dscoidnn sounds, which willing In
terp'exd The voice of public opinion and Called upon
all djsse ptienis 10 listen and obey
have peat respect for an honest and intelligent public
opinion. but the two elements honesty and lntelli
gsncs are Essential to make ATTY "puolic opinion re-
spectacle
purpose, which cannot DO improved NJ TO pay
than the interest the Of iis Improvement on
which yea can neither raise poatoe pasture goat
has present value. In the funre there may be pro
Dwes OF value which may be immensely important, and
which the wisdom OF the uniformed public has
fatbomed, or even suspected Public opinion such
suhjec carries no overwhelming weight OF authority
But tho men who buy such property, and the
men who, IN the discharge Of public
trust, called upon TO apprase such property, must
tekc into account ,hs subtle element OF ultimate ssofu
noas, 10 order co estimate wisely that sust compene
ton which the constitution guarantees to tho citzen
But large class o. men carry their eyes behind them.
ihey nave H0<ye fr coming events. they only
Tie past md these are The men who, seeiog nothing
which ~ rot ye' oin honestly dcu,aoce the Judgment
That other class who se think they see, the uDg
OF that approaching day ~hen ha northern boundaries OF
The ciual Park shal DO crowded with population aoa
covered with palaces.
II tae not been my purpose ~ make an argument or
W6Ves case, but u give form 10 suggestive sen
tentcs which Just mfn viii consider and which may hep
" eatste an honest public sentueot a subject wilton
involves The important nteresla ~ The of
property which. By the Of tae ). ate, has
bron spop To pubc nse, and Tor which they haze
oo' ,e.eVeu toAi loat compensation for rhch f"'
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