The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-04

/ strength 20 the body and bring Joy TO the spirit,
by the Commissioners 10 owners of land, with whom
| the valuation had been reached by mutual agree
| charges, in this connection, sl528 SO; and the
| amount paid for land, for which the damages were
sessed by jne was & for lana a aa S5 charges
a3,127,079 9S, and for land damages Ss11S %, in
all, S32os,267 ss; These figures, 1t must be borne
| soil, the numerous buildings erected and the
Improvements Of various kinds made upon it.
| As portions of the land which was indispensable
| were peculiarly adapted to manufacturing pur-
poses, many OF these improvements were of costly
ably compensated, the Commissioners believe that,
taking the whole body OF the land as the basis of
| moderate az could have been expected When il is
| remembered that the properties acquired by the
Commissioners embrace two hundred and sixty
three distinct parcels, and spread over very many
miles, and that in numerous cases, in the very ma
ture Of things, the negotiations were tedious and
complicated, some idea may be formed of the amount
of labor performed in this behalf by the Committee
on Land purchases and Damages, to whom the duty
was delegated. That committee, in addition TO the
personal visitations made for information and ex-
animation, met on each Friday throughout the year,
without any intermisson; and to their jealous in,
dusty and their thorough knowledge of the subjects
with which they had to deal it is mainly due that
so much has been achieved, and with such entire
While the process Of reducing into actual possess
sion the land constituting the Park IL still in pro-
embraces the whole and each of the parts can be
finally adopted. But as rapidly as they have come
siopers have endeavored to make them available
for present uses and 80 far as practicable to adapt
of the Park which lies east Of the Schuyikii and and
north of Girard avenue the tracts they now hold
are separated by intervening tracts, which still
main unadjusted or unadjudicated, and except in
the way of surveys and preparation they have not
been able to effect much In so much of the western
portion of the Park as is thoroughly under their
CONTROL they have laid out carriage roads and foot
paths through some of the most attractive scenery
and have removed with all convenient speed every
general endowment
This description of work is under the special care
of the Committee on Plans and improvements; and
a detailed statement OF what has been thus done
and projected will be found in the copious and
elaborate report of the Chief Engineer. The Lans-
downe drive, to which that report refers, for
mally opened on the oath of June 1867 and the
mony was participated in by the judicial, legisla-
tive and executive authorities of the city, assisted
by vast assemblage of citizens. The occasion
was in all respects one of marked and memoir
able interest. But what especially distinguished
1t was the presence and active corporation of
the venerable Jesse George, on the summit of whose
munifcenti gift of land to the city the crowning
actwas performed Rebecca George, who, actuated
by the same generous and patriotic motives, had
united with her brother in his most liberal dona-
ton, shrunk, with wOmanly delicacy, from any
display in the face of such a crowd as was then
gathered but when, without any formal parade,
flag, inscribed with the title 'Georges Hill . was
hoisted to the masthead of the Concourse, over
which it is hencetorth to hoat she took part in the
unostentatious demonstration. In less than two
months from the date of this occurrence Rebecca
George was no more. She had nearly attained
d
pattern of the unobtrusive goodness which charac-
terzes the religious community to which she be-
longed. Simple in her tastes and habits, she was,
at the time, earnest, sincere affectionate and
faithful. From childhood upward she had been
the companion and friend Of her brother; and when
he determined on the noble act which has insepa-
rably associated their family name with FarmOunt
Park, she cordially joined with him: The respect
moIy by the municipal government. Councils
passed resolutions of enogium and regret, and ap-
pointed joint committee to attend her funeral
along with the Mayor, and the Park Commissioners
placed upon their minutes the following trlbute
Resolved, That the Paramount Park COmmis-
sioners with sorrow record on their minutes the de-
cease of Rebecca George, on the tenth day of No
'i Resolved, I That TT this Commission, in common con mon
with all the citizens of Philadelphia, owe to the
memory of Rebecca George debt of gratitude for
share of Georges Hill" to the city.
| Resolved, That this Commission, for themselves
and their successors, and for the citizens of Phla-
delphia, again declare their purpose that the name
of Rebecca George and that of her honored brother,
shall in all future time be associated with their
pleasure, health and enjoyment when visiting that
most beautiful part of the Park, "George's HILL"
and that it shall stand a monument to their name
and honor forever.
Resolved, That we sincerely sympathze with
city's benefactor Jesse George in this his great
bereavement, in the loss of his only near relative
and home companion of upward of three-fourths of
century; and with these resolutions we tender to
him our sincere coincidence and very respectful re-
CARDS, together with desires that he may con-
| tinue in the enjoyment of health and long life.
Resolved, that the Commissioners will attend
|
| of this session.
| The establishment of Park guard, and its
adaptation and training have occupied the serious
attention of the Commissioners, and, thanks to the
! dgent supervision of the Committee on Police
and Superintendent, it now possesses great eth-
| cheney and renders excellent service As rule,
the visitors to the Park, of all ages and classes,
! have exhibited the most laudable order and good
conduct, and the instances of wilful violation of
! decorum or wanton depreciation OF property have
been relatively few. Whenever these have oc-
Cured, prompt arrest and certain punish
ment have taught the offenders that they cannot
! do wrong with impunity; and the salutary
| influence of such examples has deferred
| the eyil-minded from similar aggressions. The
| regulations adopted for the government of the
| Park have proved most effective. Prepared, as
| they have been, so as to give to all the largest
liberty in the and enjoyment of the advantages
which the Park offers, consistent with decent re-
spect for propriety OF demeanor; and proclaimed in
| so many ways that the most unobservant cannot
truthfullysplead Ignorance of their requirements,
| they have commended themselves to general favor,
| and have commanded general compliance While
| imposing restraints designed only TO prevent un-
warranted license, the Commissioners have
sdousy sought to furnish to the masses of the peo
! pie every facility of access TO, and recreation
within, the splendid domain which owes its exist
to their liberality, and which is sacredly set
apart that they, and the masses Of the people who
are to succeed them, may find in it a blessing and
| a solace forever. Steamboats, and rowboats have
been encouraged TO ply on the Schuylkill wheeled
| vehicles have been authorized, at moderate rates
and with suitable safeguards against imposition, to
carry passengers over the grounds; arrangements
for cheap fares and frequent trains have been made
| with the railroads that penetrate the Park, and
| places for temperate refreshment have been pro-
| Vided. And earnest OF what they hope to
| effect hereafter, during the past summer the
Commissioners inaugurated series of afternoon
concerts, which, though neither upon so large a
| scale nor so often repeated as they could have
wished, proved eminently successful, and will sti-
mulate to renewed exertions in furtherance of the
| same object.
On the 18th of September, 1s69 the cornerstone
| of monument to the memory OF Alexander Won
,l.llIk old nHftn nntf hn DnNlT