The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-05


teen to twenty miles from New York city.
The arguments in favor of this location have
been partially presented to Congress but
now that the change is certain to be made
those who favor the erection of the Navy
Yard in convenient but not too convenient,
distance Of the city, should begin the work OF
pressing their views before the next Congress
in an energetic and proper manner.
Prsgrcss Of the improvements in tho Pub
lie Parks.
The Board of the Department Of Public
Parks are now located in their new and ele-
CANT quarters on Broadway, adjoining the
Chemical Bank. These quarters are central
and permanent. The Department having at
last settled on their own base are proceeding
with the work of improving and ornamenting
the public parks in manner which, If fully
carried out, will prove a lasting glory to the
city and eyentuate in their receiving the unani
nous approval and applause of all good citi-
zens. The march OF Improvement is already dis
cernible in the Battery and the Bowling Green I;
make the former at all presentabe after its
long time most wretched and squalid condition.
This is really herculean labor, but the ener-
getic manner in which the work has been thus
far carried on betokens its speedy and salts
factory completion. The undertaking to dis
lodge the booth squatters around the entire
semicircle of the Battery was deemed most
hazardous one for any party that should at
tempt it; but under the persuasive eloquenoe
OF the acting President of the Board, Judge
Hilton, and the admirable tactics Of his reso
lutte lieutenant, Superintendent Wiley, the
''objcct of the expedition" was accomplished
without the loss of a single human soul, nor,
possibly, the sacrifice of single demo-
cratic vote in the First ward The City Hall
Park is gradually assuming new and i'm
proved appearance, which is certainly credit
able to the energy Of the Department, con-
sidering the numbers Of the seedy old ''chain-
gang" and the swarms of public loafers who
have for years been allowed to congregate
about the premises night and day, and con-
slider that they had presumption right to all
''parts and appurtenances" thereof Tompkins
square is undergoing wonderful transmogri-
fication, so much 80 that it is expected when
Peter B. Sweeny, returas from his European
tour he will scarcely recogniz, the "right lung
of the city" in its changed, purified and health
full condition On Washington square the i'm
provements may be delayed in consequence of
contemplated operations of the Board of Public
Works in opening or extending Fifth avenue;
but so far as they have progressed neatness
and taste have marked the change. Madison
square is loomin up in its beauty as if touchsd
by wand OF magic. The grand Central Park
was always in splendid condition. and, under
the new management, many attractive features
have been added to its manifold allurements,
80 that ii is not only the Park par erceglence
Of this Continent, but is fast becoming the
queen park of the whole world. Our uptown
friends ara rejoicing in the improvements in
Mount Morris square, which will eventually
render that one Of the most elegant and
recAsrch6 of all the public pleasure grounds on
the island.
Thus is the good work of characterization and
improvement going on in all the public
grounds of the city. The business is in good
hands. A better board could not have bean
selected. All they ask is, don't let the peo-
pie be too impatient This is not the age Of
Arabian Nights transformations. Rome was
not built in day. Nor were the grounds of
great city like New York relieved of the
debris and dry rot and accumulated filth of
some ten years in the twinkling OF an eye or in
the single swoop of a new broom. At the
same time the people demand of the Depart
ment of Public Parks that their duties shall be
exercised in q careful, judicious and economi-
cal manner, so that the taxes shall not be too
heavily, if at all, increased, while, at the
same time, the great improvements ccntem-
plated shall be carried out in no stingy or one
horse way.
The War IN Europe md The Democracy.
The Franco -Prussian war is furnishing
material for articles in favor of Napoleonism
in the columns of the leading democratic
organs throughout the country. Among the
most prominent of these apers are those old