New-York tribune., 1872-08-23

PARK COMMISSIONERS TO STUDY ECoNohi-
NEARLY $5,O00,0O0 INVOLVED
The history of the proposed parade grouhu
ma. inst been revealed and it makes known pan oi
punder eoncocted by members of the kne' uneAeencu
IN ae,herate attempt at fraud by any OF the numerous
schemes which sprang from the fertile DranS Vi 'uO
Who misgoverned the city so long Ihe large uac' Vi
land bounded by Ninety-eighth and One-hundredahu-
thtrteenthsts and Third aud Fifth-ayes and generay
knoUu as the Harlem Flats, almost entirely pougn'
nm in the Spring of 1871. by VIM. M. Tweed, Thomas
Ivrnhv las H. Coleman, in behalf Of Judge Geo. IT,
Farnard as well as himself VIM. +. Lalor, Thomas Z.
Fields and others, with the expectation tha'
the property named would be used as
paradeground; that IL would be condemned ioi
that purpose, and that they would be paid large
amounts for the property by the city. This expectation
was not based upon mere conception Of the adapta
bty Of the ground for the purpose, but was ne res
of determined plan to control such iegsiaton as "ouu
make the selection of the ground absolute The prop
erty was of very little value at the time OF its purchase
IA low and narshy, and unadapted for building pur-
posea and can only be made valuable as parade
eround by dtehing and subdrainng. one oil tue kihg
members Of the Assembly,on March 1871 introduced
n the LEGISLATURE the bill which was passed on Aprl
% 1911 three.fnhs Of the members being present IL
was deemed advsablen order 10 conceal all evidences
of punder-to omit naming the place where the parade
ground should be located and leave 1t discretionary
with the Commissioners Of Public Parks. 1t was wen
known that certain persons In the confidence OF the
Commissioners, but having luVeIest III tho
Of the property would be able to induce the Comls-
sioners who appear to have been ignorant Of the
scheme to the land purchased for the purpose.
The following is a transcript Of the bill:
The officers comprising the Board of the Department
first division Of the National Guard of the state OF New
York a majority thereof shall have and possess & sx
above Fifty nnthst puehe square or pace, ana
s0Gh sTeSs & anu G DcS width extent and direction as
them shall seem most conducive 10 pubic go0d ana
use of the said First Division Of the National Guard OF
the State Of New-YOrk for military eneampments,
parades, drills, reviews or other military eyoluuons
or exercise and said public square or place, aud
said streets and avenues bounding said public square,
shall as to laying out REM anu
n,ent of The RneTd ~ Commissioners OF the DEPART
nent Public Parks fun in all respects and TO the
extent the Central Park is now under the con-
troll of said Board and when said public square OF
place is required for such military evOlutiOns or
ercise, the said Commissioners may appropriate the
10 such other uses as to them shall seem most con-
ducve TO public good.
Immediately after the passage of the act some Of the
persons interested called upon the Commissioners, and
rebearsed TO them length the adaptabiity OF the
Harlem Flats 70 the purpose, and finally succeeded in
cbnvincing that the property named should be
-Tenncd and result the Commissioners
voted 70 take measures to acquire title to the prop
erty thereby 6nwittngy becoming aders and abettors
IN the plot to swndle the city. The action Of the Com
Inissoners became known to the public soon aerward,
aud foperty on the Flats and in their vicnityadyaneed
Coleman, Creamer, and Lal6f, who purchased four
blocks on the proposed parade-ground at cost q
as7OCO0 sold one Of the blocks short time ago for
larger amount than they paid for the entire land while
tbe entire property which held by embers of the
Ring and for which they Paid S2OOoo isnow estimated
TO be worth nearly S5,OC0OOO.
The scheme to private gain out of the enter
prise bad been by the Ring leaders from the
time the subject first contemplated in 1851 When
the Central Park Commissioners III that year received
proposals the laying out of Central PARK II was pro
yided in an the specifications that portion of the
Park should be used parade-ground, and when the
plans upon which the Park subsequently LAID out
were submitted provision wac made for paradeground
IN the locality now known as The Green" near the
Mall After the Park laid out 1t was agreed by the
Park Commissioners that the effect OF having parade
ground within precincts would prove detrimental t
The preervaon of good order that large crowds would
oengreeate on parade days in the Park and that out
side of the immediate vicinity of the paradeground dis
orders would be frequent, and the services OF large
umber of the police force would be rendered necessary
IL was therefore, deemed inexpeden TO use the Park
for that purpose Gen. Sandford who then Major
General of the militia called several times upon the
Commissioners and urged the necessity of some place
being set epart for the purpose; and Lexing-
ton-square, which was situated above sixty
bfn-st and between Third and Fifthaves.
was designated proper place. This square waslused
for that purpose for several months; but the city
afbciaIs who desired secure additional legislation
whereby private property might be secured for the
paradeground obtained the passage Of resolution by
The Common Council providing for the sale of Lexington
pquare The property accordingly advertised, and
old in small parcels until only Onehalf OF the original
tract remained aud il was insufficient for the purposes
Of military parade.
The members Of the Ring then looked about to discover
what property would be best adapted for the purpose
and as the Harlem Flats possessed little intrinsic value
and included large tract Of level ground which could
do 70 "a
The land was purchased and the determination made 70
acore ITS condemnation by the Commissioners. Shortly
after the Commissioners had determined TO take the
and the community began, in the Summer OF 1871
70 be agitated by the revelations Of the Ring
frands and all action in the matter was held
In allowance until about two weeks ago. when the matter
.ae mn again before the Park Commissioners for action
they decided at that time 90 with the work. and
are now consulting with Shaler to what property
.hall be taken for purpose They do not consider
beroselyes bound by the former action Of the Commits
,opers to appropriate the land suggested but many
perSons are urging them TO do IL is believed by some
tbat thew Will condemn the Flats Many Of those who
purchased the property with the view OF being benefited
BY the proposed parade ground still own the land either
IN tber own names or In OF their friends, and
sxpeet able when the land IS condemned 10 OBTAIN
amounts from the City Treasury that Will return them
Iour or five hundred per cent their investment The
commissioners will probably decide on the matter at
their next meeting, and viii ueterne wne'.er Ne M tle
schees OF certain 70 enrich themselves at the ex-
pense Of the city shall be successful IA.
great diversity OF opinion is expressed IN regard 10
tbe necessity Of making any purchase OF privae prop
sy for the pgp9se many Ss g ts tns5 be y
Treasury in its present condition should not be further
taxed for purposes that not absolutely essential TO
the present aud future advancement Oh tne cIy oOo
persons believe that while there IL no proper parade
ground al present. place should be set apart IN some OF
dc marks already aid out. Others hold the same opn-
SoDs etained by the Park Commissioners last year.
and believe ihat e cnnmSn sentiment how
ever seems 10 be 70 taking the land nenuOheu