, 1879-07-13
THE WEST SIDE PARK-APPR0ACHEs.


The West Division Of Chicago has popu-
lation exceeding that Of the two other Divis-
ions together. There are nearly quarter of
million Of people living within it's limits.
It contains three parks-Central, Douglas,
and Humboldt, dt,-constituting a system Of
parks. The property for these parks has
been purchased ut cost Of a million and
quarter Of dollars, and another million Of
dollars have been expended in the improve
ment thereof The Commissioners in charge
have gone to the extent Of their present
jurisdiction in the Improvement Of roadways;
but the parks are practically inaccessible
from the populous districts Of the city on ac-
count Of the impossible condition Of the
streets. To put the case more literally, there
is no driving to these parks in carriage,
buggy, or vehicle Of any kind without danger
to man, beast, and vehicle. The law passed
at the late session Of the Legisla-
ture enables the Council to extend to
diction over some one street in the city, to
be improved at the cost Of the owners of
abutting property, and thereafter to be main
tanned as part Of the park system. This is
the only way in which respectable and
durable approach to these parks can be se-
cured, and further delay in taking advantage
Of it is absolutely without excuse. ..
The only serious opposition to the scheme
is Of most selfish, unreasoning, dog-in-the-
manger character. It comes from class Of
people who think they will never want to use
such street; and, though this class would
not be required to bear one penny Of the cost
of improvement or maintenance Gbecause, as
rule, they are neither property-owners nor
ta1payers), they are not willing that anybody
else should have the benefit or enjoy the lux
ury Of driving to the parks over decent
road. The class Of people in whose interests
certain Aldermen pretend they are acting
by opposing the boulevard scheme are a.
ready provided with cheap and comforta-
BILE means of reaching every one Of these
parks by the horse-cars. Isn't it simply un-
reasonable for such people to object to an
other comfortable means OF approach for
those who own or occasionally hire vehicles
to drive to'the parks? This new means Of
advantages which those people already enjoy
who do not own carriages and never hire |
them. The latter class would not be as
sessed in any way on account Of the new i'm |
provement; large numbers of these people, |
on the contrary, would be directly benefited |
by the employment growing out of the in
provement aud the increased use of
pleasure vehicles The property-owning
class would take q new interest i'll
the parks, and be more willing than
ever to contribute freely to their beautifica-
ton aud advantages; and the poorer classes
would share all the benefits without incur
ring any of the burden Of such improve
ments. It is evident that either the Alder
men opposing this boulevard project in the
West Division are utterly misrepresenting
the working people and poorer classes, or
else that these classes are perversely standing
in the way Of their own interest.
We have no disposition to take sides with
either faction in the West Division favor
ing Adams and Washington streets.
What is needed now is just one approach
from Halsted street to connect with that
portion Of Washington street near Central
Park which has already been bouleyarded.
This will make Central Park directly accessi-
ble, and Douglas and Humboldt Parks
may be reached by the connecting
boulevards; at some future time similar
direct approaches can be provided
for the two other parks. The Aldermen
from the South and North Divisions Of the
city should cast their votes for Adams OF for
Washington street, according to the pre-
ponderance of the West Side sentiment as
by majority of the West Side
Aldermen. The South Division has occurred
it's boulevard On Michigan avenue, and the,
North Division people are generally con-
tented with their 1ake-shore drive from the
Water Works to Lincoln Park. There should |;
be no selfish or sectional feeling. therefore,
among the Aldermen representing South Side
or North Side wards, but simply desire to
Join with majority Of the West Side Alder
men in agreeing to set aside some one street
for boulevard purposes leading to Central
Park. Thsre should DO no further delay in
the case.
The Rev. j. r. MILLER, Of Rock Island, has
devised plan for the improvement Of whom 1t
NAV concern which has at least the charm Of
novelty to recommend it. The chief features Of
b1r. MlLLEn's plan are stated by himself in
circular, as follows: .........
, l. ANY person OF either EEK and Of any age may
mil with this Literary Circle. ''' l.