New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-20
TWO IRATE COMMISSIONERS
Mr.. WALES AND MIR. LANE Am odds.

POINTED PERSONALITIES SUPERINTENDENT
JoNEs's OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES NECESSARY IN
CENTRAL PARK-cRDnNATIoNs AND RECRIdrNA-
TIoNs.
An eruption in the Park Board of which there
have been premonitions of late burst forth furi-
ously at the meeting yesterday morning. The first
rumble was heard before there was quorum pres
ent. when Commissioners Wales and Lane had an
alteration to whose duty it to call the meet
ing to order. Commissioner MacLean occupied the
chair and everything went on smoothly enough
until mass of routine business disposed of.
The trouble began with the case of employe
named James O'Rei,ly In connection with which a
note was read from superintendent Jones contain
ing reference to Mr.. Lane.
Il object to being referred to in manner which
l consider disrespectful' SAID Mr.. Lane, polishing
his eye glasses.
ut is inst as respectful as the gentlemans at
tacks upon the Superintendent in the newspapers"
said Mr.. Wales, sharply.
The Chairman then offered resolution appoint
ing Calvert Yaux landscape architect which posi-
ton is now filed by Julius Munckwitz at salary
of s 900 year. Mr.. Lane moved as a substitute
that Frederick Law Olmsted (who was removed
from the position of consulting landscape architect
in 1879 be appointed TO make rep RI on the sub
jec of the treatment needed to put Central Park in
proper condition. Thereupon Mr. Wales
moved an amendment giving this commits
SION jointly to Mr.. Vaux and Mr. Olm-
sted. As no one of these propositions was
altogether pleasing to Commissioner 0lliiie, he pro-
posed the name of Samuel Parsons ir, who recently
expressed his views in a letter to THE TRIBUNE.
Mr. Lane was about to make some remarks on the
subject of the resolutions when the Chairman inter-
posed to say that he had only one ear. Commis-
sioner Wales had left his seat, and engaged in
whispering into that ear.
PHILlPPIC FROM MR. WALES
The time had apparently now arrived, in Mr..
Wales's opinion, for him to throw off the restraint
which had hitherto kept him IN check lie rose
frcm his chair set himself squarely upon his legs,
and proceeded to deliver philippe at the COmmis-
sioner upon his right.
81 wish TO say" said he, that this subject of
treating the Park is one of great importance, and
one in which the public is deeply concerned. What
Su erntendent Jones has done during his short
term of Office has been done with good Judgment
He has been charged with cutting and hacking
down trees. What cutting and hacking he has
done may be compared in its effect upon the Park
to the removal of shanty from this large city. He
has been advised to make suggestions to the
Board regarding the work, in dong which
he exercises his proper function. want
{? say that am greatly pleased win Win
ingInen under him earn the money they draw. lie
| has been severely criticised by member OF this
Board commissioner Lanel and regard this attack
upon him in the newspapers as highly Tepr hensible.
| never heard of such thing. Such a, proceeding
as that of Commissioner Lane tends to destroy tho
morale OF this department The Superintendent,
| Mr. Chairman, has not supplanted MI Olmstel,
who held the position of design and snperintend.
ence, and not that of Superintendent OF Parks
| What has been gong on since Mr. Omsteds re-
moval in 1s7Si The care of the Park has been IN
the hands cf pol tcians of the worst stamp, and no.
| body knows that better than the gentleman on my
| right Was not a recent Superintendent pollti'
clan. an ignorant man and liquor seller Bat here
is man of education and culture-a man who is
| able to good grammar-and he ls captlously
| found fault with"
Mr.. Wales then paused to read letter which he
held i'm his hand. Ii was the original copy Of lot
| ter addressed 20 Superintendent Jones by CCmmis-
soner Lane Sepember o. In this letter the aten.
ton of the Superintendent was called TO an enclosed
copy of statement presenting Mr. Lanes recon-
| mendatiOns in regard to the manner in which the
appropriations for the aintenance Of the Park
| should be expended The statement is made In the
letter that the writer's chief opponent in endeayOring
| TO carry forward the work Commissioner Waiesi
and the Superintendent is requested, If he desired
further information, to communicate with Coinnls
| What sort of communication is thatT con-
| tinued Mr.. Wales. fOurishng the letter. " The
| public should understand that the Commissioner
| can't carry business in that way: Furthermore,
he has reiterated again and again thaf.
| MIR. Jones appointed as pontlcai
| heller, now challenge that state.
ment. | now declare that there is not woId OF
truth in it! Mr. Jones was recommended oy fost. &
1
| Rev Dr. Bevan. | want Commissioner Lane 70
answer theae charges waving his arm toward MI
| Commissioner MacLean-The statement made by
Mr. Wales regarding Mr. Jcness appointment is en-
Mr. Wales said further that the statement had
| been made for his own defence, and he moved that
| ali of the resolutions be laid over to give time h
| consider what was best to DO
| COMMISSIONER LANE CALLED TO ORDER.
| Commissioner Lane began to present his side OF
Had q nor,lar hV thn oh
man. who said that he was not speaking on the res
| CLINTON. He attempted to go en- and was again
| called 10 order.
"You must speak on the resolution as understand
il y said Commissioner MacLean. pulling himself up
into dignified attitude from very undignifed po-
sition "The gentleman will not be allowed to
cloak irrelevant matter under the guise of speaking
| on the resolution"
Mr.. Lane-I only ask the same permission that
was granted Mr.. Wales. 49,
| MIR. MucLean--You ask too much. eLife Is too
Commissioner Lane Gndignantly-H am not
allowed 70 make myself heard here VIII speak I'D
After several unsuccessful attempts to get perms-
sion 60 state his case in his own way, Mr.. Lane
offered resolution in effect that Suporintendent
Joness conduct III certain particulars had 1een
without authority. lie added that this could be
shown by reference to the gardening regulations.
pressed in an editorial in The TRIBUNE OF october
! 8 were in exact accordance with nine'
Mr.. Macl.can [breaung inl-Wait q minute. Inc
bylaws are superior to the regulations referred 20.
The Superintendent Is empowered TO supervise the
| labOring force.
MIR. Lane--As was sayingtho views expressed In
| that article meet my approval.
Mr.. Waies Isarcasticallyl-lndeed Z We are very
| glad TO hear II. e
>" Well, air." shrieked Mr.. Lane, getting red in the
face twas my very agitation of this question OK
improving the Park that led to the action OF the
| Board to-day"
Yes sir, by nisrepresenting the facts" retorted
| Mr.. Wales leaning across the table and making
wild sweep with his arm
| Then Mr. Lane returned to his letter TO the Su-
tnnInnt Snuinn that he had not exceeded his