The New York herald., 1874-05-31


extending settlements westward, and that will
prove effective, both in checking the bar
oarism OF the Indians and advancing the
civilization OF the white people.
The EVIL In tho Park Department
and It's Remedy.
In resigning his position as Park Commits
sioner Mr.. Salem H. Wales admits that the
department has not been managed in man
ner altogether consistent with the public in
terests; and points out the cause. Economy
has not been practised in the expenditures
because Comptroller Green has insisted upon
"the retention and appointment of his per-
sonal friends-not always the best-in and to
various Offices Of the department" and be-
cause the dismissal of these inefficient en-
ployes could not be attempted without pro-
voking Mr. Green's hostility" In plain
language, this means that the Comptroller,
who andits and approves the bills and requi-
sitions OF all other departments in
the city government forces incapable
and unnecessary employees upon such
OF them as he can control, and
thus provides for his friends and
creatures at the expense of the taxpayers Of
the city. If department refuses to defraud
the city by quartering these drones on the
treasury Mr.. Green's ''hostility" is provoked,
and he revenges himself by Withholding money
from the offending department, embarrassing
its work and assailing the official capacity
and integrity of those who control it. We
can now understand why the Park Depart
ment has been managed with secrecy why
the details OF its expenditures have been care
fully hidden from the public eye, and why the
names of its employees the salaries paid
and the work done have been mysteries
to all but the inside management. We can
now see how it is that consulting architects,
supervising architects, experimenting archi-
tects, engineers and q whole army Of sine
curists have been preying on the substance
of the Parks why elaborate art museums
and monkey houses have been designed and
built, and why tunnels which nobody would
use when completed, and roads and bridges
which nobody wants are under prog
ress. These are the jobs that sup
competents' Mr.. Wales recognized the
evil and resigned. Colonel Stebbins no doubt
recognized the evil when he retired from the
presidency Of the department some time ago.
He will remedy it now if the Mayor will give
him an associate on the commission who will
act for the good of the city instead of the in
terest of the Comptroller.
No taxpayer begrudges the money spent
on Central Park if it is honestly expended
and in manner which will afford proper
return. What the people now want in the
Park is grand drive for four or five rows of
carriages, bride path for horse riders and
broad promenade for foot passengers, COM
bined, SO that all New York can meet together
there as all London meets in Hyde Park and
as all Paris meets in the Bois de Boulogne, to
see and to be seen This improvement can
be secured without the expense Of architects
directed by competent overseers, at
very little cost If the Mayor will
nominate as successor to Mr.. Wales gentle
man who has taste, leisure, energy and the
experience OF foreign travel, the future prog
ress of the Park will be in this practical di-
rection, and We shall soon have scene be-
tween Stetson's and the Fifth avenue en-
trance on Fifty-ninth street which our own
people can enjoy, and which we shall be proud
to show to the Englishman from Rotten Row,
the Frenchman from the Bois and the Vien-
nese from the Prater. Mr.. Leonard w.
Jorome who combines all thasa qualifications
is the best Commissioner the Mayor could se-
lect if he should search New York from the
Battery to the Westchester border. With such
an associate Colonel Stebbins could not only
economize the expenditures of the depart
ment, but render the Park hundred
fold more popular and attractive than it has
ever been before. The position of Park Com
| missioner is an honorary one; hence the poll
ticians may not be over eager for the appoint
| ment, unless for the sake of patronage, and
this they would find it difficult to render avail
able with Colonel Stebbins in the presidency
of the department. 1t is, therefore, worth
the Mayors while to do something for the city
in filling this vacancy. The appointment Of
Mr.. Leonard w. Jerome would be popular
and desirable in every respect, and would be
accepted as guarantee that Mr.. Havemeyer,
at least desires to retain for tine Park Commits
sion the high reputation it has hitherto held,
but which Mr.. Green is doing his utmost to
destroy.
The Scientific Outlook.
[ Wendell Phillips said in q recent sneach