New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-24
MUNICIPAL CONTROVERSIES.
A PARADE GROUND CONDEMNED.

a fhfADE GROUND CONDEMNED.
THE PARK COMMISSIONERS ORDER THE DIsCoNTlN-
UAHCR OF wORK-DEFIANCE OF THE COMMISSION
ERs OF ESTIMATE AND AwARD-INDIGNAT1oN OF
THE MILITIA.
In accordance with the views OF Mayor
Havemeyer expressed in his Message and by WORD OF
mouth. the Park Commissioners attempted to dis
continue the work the mlitaryIparade GROUND ia
the northern part of the island This parade comprises
tract OF s2i acres Of land, bounded by Sherman ana
Tenthaves, and Dyckman and Tw0hundred-andfle N-
enthsts. being near the Inwood Depot Under al ac'
OF the Legislature passed the Board OF Puphc
Works and the Major Of the First DIVISION OF
the NewYork National Guard authorized TO seee'
public place for the OF the militia OF TINS ciy
for military encampments parades, and drills Inc
square 10 be land out, managed. and maintained
under the exclusive control OF the Department OF Pupho
Parks just Central Park is under Its drecuon
The officers appointed we're make a map ana sur
vey showing the location OF the gronnd auu
the streets bounding 1t, and record was 10
he fled In the Office Of the Department OF fnphc
Parks After filing the map, the ground ana 'ne
streets bounding IL were become one OF the pupnc
squares Of NewYork with the intent and enect as
II 1t had been land out and established by the Comms-
sioners appointed by the act reatve To improvements
touching the laying out OF streets aud roads IN Nov"
York City, and for other purposes" passed In l@i'
All streets and avenues then laid out within inc
limits OF the said public square were TO be aban-
doned and closed Similar proceedings were to be taken
respects relation the acquiring Of title to the
public square and streets bounding it, az are authorized
by section chapter 697 Of the laws of 1861 The Con-
troer directed by the same law OF 1871 TO create
and requisite Ito carry out the objects OF ths
act the amount authorized TO be limited to sum OF
which the amount Of interest at which the stock Is
issued, s t25 900.
The ground was selected in 1877 and the map as re-
He'd ne applied
Corporation Counsel to the Supreme Court for a
Commission OF Estimate and Award. William
C. TraphaGen, John McClave and William
A. - seaver appointed such commission
by Judge Brady in December 1879 They were going on
RAPIDLY with the work until the Mayor, under the al
vice OF Controller Green and Others requested the farR
Commissioners discontinue Many OF ohe best
in the city consulted and they say that the
Park Commissioners have right to discontinue, but
that all the acts comforting upon them the power OF
Mayor and Commonalty give them anthorlty
but they have power to discontinue, and under no
the discontinuance be final until 30
ordered by the Supreme Court.
The action Of the Park Commissioners IN passing the
condemned some quarters. The business was done
last Monday morning, after refusal 70 hear property
voted against the discontinuance, and Messfs Williams
Bessinger and Hall were N favor OF the measure Not
withstandng the resolution, tue Commissioners OF Esn
mate and Award will continue making their awards ana
assessments, unless otherwise directed by the court
They believe that the Park Commissioners have
assumed power winch they not and in their
resistance they are IN sympathy win the various hll
tary organizations III the cilys TIE nemotrs VI winch
are exceedingly indignant, PUBIC meetings are
10 be- held under the auspices OF some
~ the regiments to protest against the action
OF the authorities The Mayor In his message expressed
very strong objections 90 tho present SITE ON the ground
thai il was too expensive and not favorable one be-
sides not being desired by the property In the
vicinity. The Mayor recommended that site Oe
selected in the annexed district OF Weschester County,
where nc thought cheaper and better piece OF ground
might be found On the contrary, tire commissioners OF
EstImate aud Award say that the propertyowners In
the vicinity Of the present ground are In favor or the
parade ground and that IL will cost no more than any
Equally good site that be found above Fifty ninth
at The delay the Commissioners assert, Will only III
the expense for the Park Commissioners nave
ordered the OF the work, on peculiar
construction the law authorizing the parade ground
The question If very complicated one and may nave
10 be decided IN the courts