New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-25
MIR. OLMSTED'S REMOVAL.
LETTER FROM Ell. GODKIN.

LEI NUN lie pODhAN
THE COMMISSIONERS PROMISE TO CONSULT Mr..
oLMsTED ONLY A SOP THROWN TO TIE PUBLIC
WHAT THE PARK MAY BECoME-A REMEDY
SUGGESTED.
To the EditOr Of The Trf6une.
SIR; May trespass on your space with one word
more about the dismissal of Mr.. Olmsted which the
Commissioners carried out as proposed, yesterday
Their resolutions, which have been published,
acknowledge his eminent fitness for the position he
has held long, and declare ii to be the intention
Of the board to consult him whenever they feel the
need of his advice. You have yourself, in your last
issue, pointed out in forcbe language the improb-
ability Of their feeling the need of his advice
They do not know enough ever to feel anything of
the kind, and their promise to consult him is SIMPLY
sop thrown to the public, which has been shocked
by their performance They were presented on We'd
nesday morning with the remonstrance which you
have already published signed by 1875 OF the leading
citizens in all walks of life and Of all parties Ihave
never seen in this city any document OF the kind
as strongly supported, and. OF course such an ex-
preston of opinion cannot be wholly dlsregarded.
But no promise of the Commissioners to seek pro-
fessional advice can dispose of the fact that Mr..
Wenman the president, and two of the others, have
carefully during the past year, avoided any inspec-
ton of the Park i'll company with Mr.. Olmsted,
and any communication with him OH the subject OF
his plans or anagemcnt and have no doubt that
both Mr.. Wenman and Mr. C0nover secretly con-
sider landscape gardening form Of heightened"
humbug and the true purpose of the Park place to
drive in and furnish employment to poor laborers
WHAT THE PARK MAY BECOME.
The Board will probably, therefore, hereafter de-
vote special attention to the roads and walks, as
things in which any deterioration would at once at
tract public attention, and the plantations will
either be neglected treated by incompetent
hands, with mlschcvous results which will not be
perceived by the outside world until it is too late.
The pressure for fresh roads. for new buildings for
statues for new refreshment stalls, play grounds,
parade grounds, and the like to which Mr. Olmsted
has been hitherto the main obstacle. will be greater
than ever and will be more less successful carrying
the Park gradually toward what is undoubtedly
the city politicians ideal of public garden-a mix
ture Oh IA popular cemetery, camp-meeting ground.
fair ground and race cOuISe. / know OF one case
occurring within few years in which an Alder
man worked" day and night, might and MAN, Tor
weeks, TO procure the opening Of new road and
new entrance at point at which he was about TO
erect beer saloon.
IL I am right in these conjectures-and do not
think they will be gainsayed by anybody who has
even slight acquaintance with the influences which
are dominant In city poitics-the change which has
just occurred is very serious one Tor the public.
The principal object OF this letter. therefore, is to
make suggestion AZ to the remedy.
4 REMEDY SUGGESTED.
Tho Park Commission has hitherto either been
composed of or has contained men who combined
public spirit and artistic acknowledgement men, for
instance as Mr.. Sebbins who was long the president.
BY artistic knowledge l do not mean, necessarily,
knowledge of landscape gardening or of any other
art bat that knowledge which forms the first step
in culture in every Ged-the knowledge that there
IL great deal 90 be known of which We ourselves
are ignorant. The Board has now essentially
changed its character and Is for tic first tlulc
made UP simply OF politicians or men acting sOoly
under political influences orders. IL this Is 10 be
its composition hereafter, the public interest seems
10 require that il should be diminished III numbers.
so that responsibility shall be concentrated. In
other words. for the four commissioners one should
BE- substituted. appointed by the Mayor, II you VIII,
but charged with the administration and Gaze Of the
public parks ~ the Two rev state COinullss Oners
arc 10 be charged with the administration Of the
prisons and canals, respectively. Ills being poltI
can would theu make comparatively little dliler-
enCe, because lie would not De able to distribute
accountability, and because no one man
whom the Mayor would venture 10 put
in such place would have the hardihOod 10 pro-
pose to tho taxpayers TO carry on Such works The
Central Park without professional assistance. II
takes three or four for such ieats OF audaclty "a
that. Imay add that cannot agree with the sug-
gestion OF Tie UorId, that Mr.. Olmsted would be
the man for such place. IL ought 70 be filled By q
man accustomed TO dealing with politicians well
rs an able administration leaving the professional
manager Of the Park wholly free 10 attend TO his
professional duties.
I'm Mr. Lanes interview with The IFord reporter,
be III lde 10 say, proof that Mr. Olmsted is not
needed the Park that he Sir. Olusedl had gone
10 Europe because liz thought he could just now do
better there cannot help believing that Mr.. Lano
knows perfectly we'll that NJ Olmsted has gone
away on leave OF absence without pay, Tor the beue
ft OF his health which las been seriously impaired
by twelve years of toll without vacation. remain
SIR yours truly, =. l.. GoDAiS.
AsiC- ORR Jau. d. 1873.