, 1874-02-15
THE soUTA.pARK RAILROAD QUESTION.

70 the Editor AZ The Caicdgo Tribune:
SfR: In your article in Inst SundaY*s Tn1n-
uNE, faroring railroads. crossing the South
Parks, your argument, founded On the alleged
in1ccessibiNty Of tta lake-shoro branch thereof,
is easily refuted from tie we11~knovu fact that
two prominent roaLs-the Illinois Central and
Michigan Central-run IN close proximity along
the whole west line Of this park, and on its en-
tire east front Ia Lake Michigan 70. steamers.
Hence the community at large have now what
you 80 greatly desire: ample means Of easy.
convenient, and rapid transit to aud from this
park; and said facilities are go abundant1y pro-
Vlded for at present as to be iucxhaustibie, 80
far as future generations maY require III that
direction. Multiplication Of routes OF commu-
nication SO superabundaut for present aud future
uso cannot subserre the interests or REQUIRE
men!s Of the 5ou.l, Side pleasure grouuda
Railroads desiring to reach the city from that
quarter can vory well adopt the route west Of
and near thB park. or pass still farther west,
like tha Michigan Sonthern and the Fort WaYne.
leaving the park-lands intact and unlimin-
lshed4 Let it be remembered that these lands
we're selected Tor park-purposes By popular YER
dlot for the important reason that no railroad
did or could traverBe them, aud that, therefore,
future throngs Of visitors thereto might be se-
crre in life and limb, and FREQ from all appre-
henEion from this source at all times and under
an cifrumstauces. Who or wnoss family would
feal safe rambling in those pleasure grounds
when ploved through erer and anon, bg th,1n-
derlng tralnB in Charge OF careless engineers and
reckless couductoraS Grant the Baltimore l. Ohio
Railroad such franchise, aud who can foreses
the consequences and end Of such action2 Tho
Canada Southern, South Atlantic and other
roads seeking Chicago from tho South would
make asllnilat application, with similar result;
md then adieu to . t'public park for tho 1rcrca-
tion, health, and beneis OF the public, and free
to all persons forerer."
1t is d noteworthy fact that not single park
Of Chicago has railroad running through it.
and that each WIS located where it is In yjew of
such absence But, it any portion Of the park
lands can be appropriated for railroad purposes,
what iB to prevent q diversion Of another portion
dences, and SO On sa1ely. such ~ grants ~ src m not
what WAS bargained for when tho people voted
to select these grounds for rk-purposes exclu-
siyelY, and to tax themselves end1esBly for their
improvement and maintenance, and to burden
property beucdted to tha amount OF So 100000
for their purchase. Would such burdens hare
been voluntarily assumed wero it even supposed
or imagined that these la'tds conld ever be de-
spoiled or disrupted by railroad-trncks, bearing
huge freight and stock trains Of questionable
odurB?
Fortunately for this and future generations,
the South Park Board has no discretionary power
in the PREMISES Cannot exercl8e any pre1oEa-
tive OF this kind over the par1-lands~ Tho
hoFe1Al psIh"aEtS ClEaIly QennG LueIT pOFcfa, ana
prescribe their duties most positively, as thus
:" Which said land and premises, EI,en acquired
by said Commissioners, rs provided by this act,
shall be held, managed, and controlled by them
and their successors, as q public park, for the
health, and benefit Of the public, and
free to al persons forever, subject to such nec~
essary rules and regulations as shall from time
to time be adopred by said Commissioners aud |
their successors for the well ordering &ssd gov
ernment Of the same." "Said Board shall hare tho
full and exclusive power to govern, manage, and |
direct said park; to iay ont and regulate tho |!
gane; to pass ordinances for tho regulation and ]
government thereof" Sand, generally, in TO- !
gard to said park, they shall possess all the !
power and authority now By Law conferred upon, I
or possessed by, the Common Council OF the City |
Of Chicago in respect to the public Squares aud |
places in said city" &c. These Commissioners /
are, therefore, mere trustees OF the public for
he management Of public estate for specific |
purpose, and Gao act only III fducsry capacity. /
Holding the title ,f these park-lands rs TRUSTEES
snd agents Of and for the public, for the sole |
object Of public park. thoy have, or can hnya,
no power or right whatever even to consider for |
! moment q proposition affecting tho integrity I
Or jurisdiction Of this es.ate,-nauci less per- |
an act Of vandalism AMI usurpatlon. !
followed bJ swift removal for misdemeanor or !
nalfeasauco in Office. G. W. N1L1En-
CHICAGO. Feb, 10, 1874.