The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-15
NOT UNDER THE GASLIGHT,

PARK AVENUE AND ITS INHABITANTS DEPRIVED
OF LIdHT-THE PARK AND GAS COMMISSIONS
SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY.
The inhabitants Of Park avenue have a controversy
with the Park Commission, but chiefly with President
Martin whom they say responsible Tor the grievance
complained Of Forty foot OF the of Park ave-
nuc Is an ornamental park with openings here and
thero for light and air for tho Fourth Avenue Railroad
cars The owners OF property on this avenue appear
to have had special privileges until few days ago,
and say that they could have legally prevented the
Fourth Avenue Company from laying their tracks on
this part Of the road. These privileges, however they
yielded certain conditions US to tho
aud maintenance OF the road the forty fee, tho
centre were gwen over to tho city The four lamps at
tho oil each OF the ornamental crossings have
been lit by the Gas Commission of tie city until about
year ago. when alter legal contest between
the Gas Commission and tho PARK Commission the
latter succeeded in obtaining decision that ali tho
parks Of the city, including such avenues Park
nue., were under tho charge of tho Park Commission
Tor maintenance and lighting. The appropriation Tor
the parks by the Board OF Apportonmcnt was, how
reducing the expenses OF the department, decided to
discontinue the lighting OF lamps in all tho smaller
parks and only partially to light Central Park, Madi
son square, Union square and the Battery.
PROTEST AND PETITION.
The property owners ana residents OF Park avenue
present "a petition to tho Park Commission praying
Tor tho lighting OF the lamps in the centre OF the
THIS petition included the following influential
names aud the petitioners represented moro than
$4,000 600 worth OF property Garrison,
Recorder Hackctt Cornelius Vanderbilt, Mr.. LIBBY,
Brown Brothers. Howard Potter. Rev. DR.. Vincent,
Corporation Counsel Whitney, Congressman Barney
Mr. Henry H. Clinton, Mr. Charles Wall ana DR.. H0l-
land
On the 2Sth OF June the Park Commission passed a
resolution authorizing the treasurer III issue orders
the Metropolitan Gas Lighting Association and tho
Central Gas Lighting Company to light the lamps in
Park avenue. THIS the Gas Commission refused to
do, on the ground that legal decision had been
obtained that these lamps we're under the charge
OF the Park Commission. In etcr to the petitioners
President Martin says that at would have seemed to
have been The object OF the Legislature, In providing
tor gas commission, to throw additional safeguards
around such contrasts. II such object intended,
lighting the lamps upon the parks aud places would
stand upon the same footing as lighting tho lamps IN
the streets lie respectfully suggests that iair
probation OF section 70 will include the lighting under
The COMMISSION OF the public lamps, either stu
atcd IN the parks or tho Streets
During the progress OF TINS controversy the lam ps
remain unghtcd, and the inhabitants OF Park avenue
complain that tie darkness affords large facilities 10
thievcs and dangerous characters In this assertion
thcy arc supported by the police of the precinct