New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-06-03

midst Of or near to adeuSe population failed 60 DO
well kept IL would be a nuisance and an injury 10
that population. and that especially In any large
park adapted in other respects TO Dc OF
much permanent value TO the City OF New-iorK'
a body of keepers, specially instructed ana
discipned very different from the ordinary street
police active Jealous cheerful and courteous IN the
performance of their delicate duties-would Do
condition of primary and essential consequence l
saw that TO secure this condition-it would be ne
cessary that the selected for the purpose should
fully understand that they would be pad only tor
their actual work in the Park at somewhere near
the rates Of pay they could fairly expect to earn in
other occupations IN the open market, not for
politcal services or as mark of personal favor or
evidende of personal patronage and influence. /
also saw that a degree of discipline must be ne
cessary TO success such as in our country is seldom
found except in the army any navy. l need
hardly add that also that, under the special
political and social conditions Of New-YOrk City,
this essential element Of permanent value in large
park would actually be moro difficult to establish
and maintain than any other. An opportunity was
offered me to impress these convictions on the Com
missiOners of the Central Park soon after their
ganzation in 1857, and was soon afterward author
lied by them to select and instruct 20 men as a
nucleus of a permanent organization of park
keepers. Subsequently 1 was allowed to enlarge
the number TO s. their rate of pay was in
creased from 81 so to 50 per diem, a
uniform adopted, and officers provided for.
Meanwhile the plan Of the Park prepared by Mr..
Vaux and myself was adopted by the Commission
ers, and was charged with the organization and
management of its construction, in which for a
time from . 700 TO nearly 1000 men were engaged.
! did not. however cease to take personal super
vision Of the keepers force but in the midst of
other duties of a very engrosslng character gave
daily for a period of three years considerable
share Ofmy time and thought to its further organ
izatiOn regulation instruction, and discipline. This
was continued TIL was called of by duties, IN
1861. The columns of TIE TRIBUNE Will witness
I believe, what the character Of the force then
was, and will show that the good spirit
with which all classes of the public had been in
duced TO yield to the requirements Of a somewhat
refined good order in the Park, matter of gem
eraI surprise and cOngratulation. The early and
continued popularity of the Park and the posi-
bility Of obtaining the large appropriations which
have been required in far carrying out it's design
was due in no contemplate degree TO this circum-
stance and this circumstance was largely due, as
believe and claim, TO the strong convictions which
had been led by careful observation and study to
form on the subject, and the endless paInstaldng
with which addressed myself TO this part Of my
duties tho honorable zeal with which l was
seconded by certain Of my associates and the stead
mess with which l was sustained by certain OF my
superiors
Within five years it is notorious that the park
keepers have lost much Of their original character;
it is perhaps not equally notorious, but is equally
true that visitors TO the Park less amenable 70
the requirements of good keeping.
Your correspondent can imagine no possible mo-
tives for the recent changes. Without going far
when preparing for his work, he might have read
the following at least partial explanation Of them,
a copy of it having been placed in the hand of every
keeper op the LIST Of May 1t had been prepared and
printed in February by order of the Commission.
Among the circumstances which have obliged consid-
cradle changes be ordered IN the regulations Tor the
keeping OF The Park the following:
After the dismissal OF more than third or the force,
represented by officers be its least promising mem
ber and after much effort 20 secure Improvement under
existing rules satisfactory appearance or vigilance,
discipline, aud activity III Keeper Oh duty mas re-
NAMED exceptional.
Moreover although a keeper, while bis beat or
post rarely comes under the observation OF officer
neypectedv 10 himself instances have continued 10 be
dsgraccfuuy common Of Keepers seen by their officers
under conditions raising strong presumption OF lnteh-
n mas been TOO evident from these and other circum
stances habit OF disre garing the just claims upon
Commissioners and or the puOucs had Dcen
strongly established with many members Of the force,
and, that under existing arrangements the Commission
ers have been unable % enforce faithful compliance
themselves and each Keeper at his appointment ana
which renewed and ratified Whenever tue keeper puts
his uniform.
Your obedient servant. FRED. Law OLMsTED
Nelr- York. June 9, 1873.
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