The New York herald., 1878-03-29
WASHINGTON SQUARE.
Mr.. Samuel B. Ruggles' Memorial
to the Legislature.
EXISTING PARKS NEEDED.
The Right OF the Public to Retain Pos
session Of Them.


squares In the city OF New York, presented TO the
Legislature OF of New YORK; March 81 1875
Tho undersigned has learned with serious concern
In common with largo numbers OF his fellow citizens
that the Common Council of the CITY, under a formal
resolution sgnei by tho Mayor, has applied TO tho
Legislature in session to pnss authorizing
the erection OF an armory In Washington square.
Tho grievous and manifold evils which such an un-
righteous system OF seizure and spoaiion would in-
cvitabIy irnct Will be clearly ana powerfully pre-
scnted to the Legislature by other rcmonstrances
that tho present memorial will bo prime ipay con.
Aned:-
Ftrst-To tho fragrant illcgaty and snquity OF such
proceedings violating the plainly loyal rights
OF tho public ut large, and especially Of the many
thousands or OF lands specifically assessed for
the individual benefits to be derived from such
squares, aud Of which such measures would deprive
them, without compensation or indemnify.
Second TO tho very pccuniary consequences
Of such measures, In deprec,atng tho taxable value
Of amounts OF real estate in tho vicinity Of tho
squares, which annually contribute largely TO tho
treasures of the city and OF tho State.
The proper examination OF question so momeutous
will require full careful OF tho facts
OF the case, and " Is hoped that the Leg will
institute such inquiries, either through the appropr
ate committees OF tho Two houses or by JOINT CON-
mission Of both, that the question may be speedily
and permanently settled by legislative resolution or
enactment.
HISTORICAL PROGRESS
PUBLIC SQUARES.
From tho elaborate historical lecture the HProg-
OF tho City Of Now York, during the nfty years
preceding tho 29th Of December, 1851" then de-
livcrcd by Charles King, LII. D., President OF Co.
lumbia College, at tho city OF Now York. before the
Mechanics Society, tho following extracts now
republishod:-
The State OF New York as early as 1907 appointed
three ccommissoners-Gouve Morris, Simeon Dc
Witt John Ruthorford-to lay out tho city OF New
York into streets and squares. John Randall Jr
was thor engineer and surveyor. Their report
mado 1911 aud accepted by the corporation. lard
the whole oty north OF North street and OF Art
(now Aslor place noble and spacious
streets, numbered up to l76lh street These Comms-
had authority simply TO and mark the lines
py permanent monu umcnts, but TO that magnificent
plan we owe It that thero lanes alleys
the city, and that twelve noble avenues zach 100
feet wide running parallel with and IN the direction
OF the island, give access 10 the cry and that these
cut NJ right angles by numerous streets, nearly
every tenth one OF winch 10, also 100 ect wide, with
the narrow streets Sky cet IN wrath.
rhe main avenue OF the old Dutch city was the
Bowcric, also called the Old Boston ROAD, the
lines OF The farms and lands circumjaccnt all
run In reference TO II base. Its course
crook ed; hence when streets laid dow uBon
tie Comm siOners map cdmo to be traced out II
the old lines ana leave hero and there some most
oddly shaped fragments whicn the Conmisson by
allowable hguro OF speech, spoke Of as the 'Cn-
broadway and the Bowery. tho two great thorough.
fares 0i the CITY, may be SAID to start from one
trunk below tho park 10 come together at Union
place. originally called from that circumstance,
UniUn square. Tnis square made up largely
OF these 'Children ot Necessity"
Tho old Potters' Fiel1, together with portion Of
the Ludlow iarm. had beon thrown ~ the year
1927 into that spacious area now known Washing.
Tue anc,ent Gramercy Tarm, occupied by the vener
able james Duane, tue FIRST Judge OF the United
District Court tor New York, was situated
Bowvry, on whch the farm had front OF about 400
iee and thence easteriy almost 20 the river, with
sone upland, but much morass, through which wan
dercd u stream known MS the Crunme-Viy, Crom-
mcssee, or Winding Creek. Alter his death, in 17os
his heirs hve IN number, estimating the Value oi the
property according TO us frontage the Bowery had
divided the inIm by that front, 400 feet, into five
equal parcels and thus constituted narrow strips Of
land nearly halt u mile long and eighty feet wide.
These shares having been consolidated IN 1881, and
the land duly regulated, park was ald out IN Gen.
trni part Of tho iarm by gratuitously conveying
trustees the iorty-two lots comprises and attaching
TO the grant condition that SO lot should be
nualy pad forever by the residents around tho square,
iuDd out Of wbica to plant, preserve ana adorn
IL denomnatcd Gramercy Park, to preserve
torIcal TRADITIONS o this ahcieut homestead, verified
by contemporary records which recognize this goo
graphical expression, which mad probably been
rup,cd from The Crooked Creek, or Crummevly, or
| Cromnessee.
Next came. in 1888, Union square. made up largely
Of iragmonlary lots, which, with tho AID oi tho
| Lugis aturc, enlarEod TO form the present
signify and rectangular square. Tho assessment Tor
lands taken Tor this square was $llO 600 and IL was
imposed upon ,0Oy lots, mnny WHOM formed part
oi The Gramercy iarnL Inc squarc was solcmnizcd
soon ai,er It's opening by tho Rev. Dr. Hawks, VINO
| enclosure with one OF his trends. VINO, whiIe cx-
paliatiug upon the value OF squares said, Comc
what will our open squares VIII remain forever I'M
perishable buildings, lowers, palaces. may mouuer
und crumbe DencatL the touch OF time, but spaoe-
s s NOT to OS Ss no
sonY replied Dr. Hawks "man makes buildings,
but God makes space, mus stamping the signet Of
tho Almighty on tho labors TO pcrpetuate heavens
boon oi irec air and open space
Tho memorable act oi 1897, providing so largely for
the geographic II organism oil the great metropoiitan
city, was the offspring OF The generous aud compre-
bensivc craftsmanship OF Gouvcrncur Morris. 1t
cmpo wers ana d,rccts nim and his colleagues IN the
Commission, so lay out the srccts rJads and pubic
squares OF such ample width as they may deem SUN
Client 10 secure Tree ana abundant circulation Of air
among saiu streets and public squares"
II furnishes perpetual safeguard through all com
ing against any III advised and suicidal attempt
10 disngure, oUcrntc block up any square, by tho
conservative ana fundamental dcclarativn and re-
quement that tue MUNICIPAL corporation, significantly
described as the Mayor, Aldermen aud COmionaity Of
the city, shall be scIzcd III fee Simple OF all lands
be- taken, subject, however, TO tue perpetual trust
40 Keep thc same Tor ever OpeD,h winch important
provision made stiiI moro stringent 10 tho rcvi
oil the statutes IN 1913, aud In force, by add
the words, Ito bc used IN IKE manner tue other
public squares In the said city and Of right
Tue present generation may surely cherish tho hope
and belief that the existing "Department Of Public
PARKS" IN the CITY viii July carry out
junction thus prescribed more than seventy years
On The 3lst OF March, 1884, Tompkns square,
CONTAINING 10 50.l0O acres, parts OF II mucn do
pressed below the Guy levi, between Seventh
aud Tenth strcots ana avenues A and b. was opened
by legal proceedings undor tho OF 1907 revised
In 1873 Tne lands iakcn assessed a $50 4lS tho
whole OF which amount, with nearly $1,000 costs and
churges was imposed upon ana paid by the private
OF 552 lots u tho vicinity, or benc-
nt
ON tho Goth OF September 1885, Mr.. Peter Gerard
Stuyvcsan, sole owner OF tho lurge estate known
"Pecrsneld," gratuousy cedcd to the Mayor, Alder
Cominonaity Of the city oil New YORK 27-100
In n central portion Of the estate lying between
Fifteenth and Seventeenth streets and both
of Second avenue, and Eow known as Stuyvceant
square. In the conveyance ceding tho square IT
imposed cxp CONDITION, tho breach OF which
would expose the grant TO forfeiture, that the CITY
should forever Kccp open os pubic square, ana
should. moreover, ''pant ana improve" the interior
OF tho two enclosures 'similar TO the improvements
made In Washington square,"
IL Is mattor OF regret that this stipulated improve
mcnt wns delayed untIl lS47. whom It's perform