The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-11-27
OUR MAGNIFICENT PARK.

York. Philadelphia and other crowded cities.
Health and recreation for the masses are the
predominant motives for the establishment of
these "lungs" for crowded centres.
New Orleans had several parks, all Of small
dimensions, but sufficient to furnish "lungs +"
to its denizens But it had no magnificent
mark True, it had its Fourth District, not,
in fact, called a park, yet in all that consti-
tutes park it was one, and was the admi-
ration of all strangers 1t is the reality of the
poets description of the land of the myrtle
and vine" And the Sixth District large in
extent, with but few residences, answers for
al hygenic purposes.
But grand park with capacious grounds,
enclosing plantations. never was imagined by
the cold fogies Of the city. To rival all
other cities in this respect, was the ambition
Of the carpet-bagger. None but Radical
could conceive and carry out the idea of
grand park. None but Radical could rise to
the level of the hygenic necessity of opening
grand park. The city had no breathing
place; no spot where the winds of Heaven
eould blow uninterruptedly. True, between
he river and the lake, there was and is no ap-
parent obstruction to the free play Of the
portive Eolus, yet playground near should
10 dedicated to this festive god, and health
and recreation be furnished to the crowded
masses.
Way up the Sixth District was tract Of
land running from the river to the lake, of
some 1900 acres in extent. It was high, and
live oaks, centuries old, shaded its virgin soil.
Around this plantation were squares in abund-
snce, uncultivated and of no great value. The
thought came through the mind of one or more
Radicals, that these squares might be appreci-
ated greatly in value, and that an investment
Of small sum would yield large returns. How
was this to be accomplished? By the estab-
ishmcnt Of an extensive park. Let us buy
this 1900 acres Of land, and convert it by our
superior taste, into park excelling in beauty
all the parks in the world. The purchase was
made for about 100000.
To secure a good return for this investment
recourse was had to the Legislature An act
was passed March 16, 1870. and amended
Anril 6, 1871, to authorize the Governor to
IN lint commission of five, to hold Office
Il Rive years, to purchase grounds and to lay
o park-giving these commissioners cor
porate powers to buy and to borrow money,
aed to issue bonds bearing eight per cent in
terest and to secure the payment Of the bonds
to be issued, this commission were given full
authority to mortgage the real and personal es-
tate, which it may have purchased or acquired,
and also to mortgage the lapd now belong
ing to the city of New Orleans, known as the
City Park. .-.M..
Perhaps, yes, we know, this is the first
instance on record of legislative body, en-
towering an irresponsible commission-for
these commissioners gave no bonds and took
no oath OF ofiice-to mortgage the property
Of another hypothecate lands which did
not belong to it. But these are the advanced
ideas of Radicalism. The commissioners
have actually mortgaged the City Park to
secure the payment of bonds issued. Is such
mortgage valid ? Can As property be in
numbered without his consent, to pay the
debts of b? We do not think this is much
of legal connundrum.
The act, however, was passed and received
the approval of Warmoth. Carpetrbaggers,
rich with the plumber Of our subdued people,
must have ample room to show their tinsel
and fine horses. What cared they for the con-
quered The insulting words of Brennus,
vue rictis esse, were shouted, and If remon-
STRANGE from any source was uttered, the cry
of rebel was sufficient to stife the remon-
STRANGE.
The purchase of the Foucher estate was
made and about 800 acres of it sold by these
commissioners, appointed by Gov Il. G. War
moth, to the city of New Orleans, and the
purchase made by the appointees OF said Gov
ernor. Only $780, 600 was paid or agreed to
be paid. Here was nice speculation, gain
in a few days of 100000. But this is not
all, On portion of the original purchase,
grand State-House was to be erected worthy
Of the great State Of Louisiana, and these
responsible parties sold to the State about IL
acres, for the sum Of 500, 600 cash, and the
State was to issue bonds to the amount OF
81, SOC, 900 at eight! per cent interest, and the
Auditor was instructed to deliver to these
commissioners as many Oh tnese JULIUS
AS were necessary to complete the
purchase of ground upon which to erect
the State Capitol Of Radicalism. What
glorious speculation.
The requisite means were lntroo"ceu my
these Legislative acts to secure the payment
of the purchase price. An annual tax OF one
eighth Of one per cent, called the Park tax
was imposed on the citizens Of New Orleans
This tax has been collected and paid over TO
the commission. We have not the figures
to give the total amount of this exactlon.
Let Us look at the enormity of those legis-
tive acts. Without asking the people IT they
desired park and without consultation. the
law is passed, and gives to the Governor the