New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-04
THE PARK BOARD MEETING.
COMMISSIONERS NOT WHOLLY IN UNISON
MR. LANE DISPLEAsED WITH Mr.. vAUX's CONDUCT
MR. MAGELLAN WANTS A JANITOR DISMISSED.

COMMISSIONERS NOT WHOLLY IN UNlSON.
MIR. LANE DIsPLEAsED WITH MR.. vAUXs CONDUCT
MIR. MAGELLAN WANTS a JANIToR DISMISSED.
At n meeting of the Park Commissioners yester-
day Mr.. Wales presided. Christopher X. Robert
appeared in behalf of property owners along the
Riverside Drive, TO complain of its neglected condl
uon. They were allowed miserable pittance OF
$50 Mr. Robert said yet nothing had been
done Tor the drive excepting TO cut down a
few weeds last year; rocks, boulders ana
the debrs of old trees were allowed to remain Mr..
Wales explained that with the limited funds and
force at the command of the Department 1t was
deemed best to strengthen up" Central Park hrst;
Commissioner Lane complained that cheap ana
unsghtlv poles being used for the electric
lights in the parks, and resolution was adopted
asking the Gas ComisslOn 10 explain to the Board
their plan of lighting the parks.
The representatives Of Bartholdis statue Of
"Liberty Enightening the World" were given pr
mission to remove the hand and wrist now standing
in Madison Square IN order to reshp 1t to France at
the soul tors request request for leave to make
an approach TO the Farragut statue, in the same
park. was referred to the Supervising Architect.
Superintendent Joncss report was read, giving an
account of repairs and changes made III the various
parks of the city by Mr. Naux's orders,
and recommending that more horses be bought tor
he of the Department. Ii was stated. among
other things that "a building in Central Park had
been removed. Mir. Lane made this The occasion to
critcise Mr. Naux sharply and some debate occurred
between the Commissioner and Mr. Vaux the latter
stating that the building removed was wooden
ocagOual stand or shed near the Mall 1t Obstructed
the view aud was unslghly, and lie considered thai
he had discretionary powers rs experimenting arch
ltect.
But the Board calls that a structure and not
an obstruction" testify replied Mr.. Lane. " 1t
erected by resolution of the Board. and could
only be removed by resolution. Ii YOU claim the
ught to remove buildings placed in the Park by the
solemn resolution OF the Board, there Is 10 knowing
where you'll siOp-yOu'll be calling the Casino an
obstruction next, and taking 1T down and selling
it for old stOneW
"On, no." said Mr.. NauX. quietly. The CASINO
is not of that class"
Mr. Lane continued to criticise Mr. Yaux with
some sprlt, aud The after finally asked the Board
to sustain him. lie dlu not think he had exceeded
his discretionary powers or d )ne wrong.
That is the difference between you and ~ eX-
claimed Mr. Lane, throwing his grammar to the
81 heartily approve of Mr.. Yaux's action" said
Mr.. Oliiic, and Mr. Wales came TO his support say
ing: wish To sustain the experimenting Archl-
tect in ali that ne attempts TO do. but at the same
time | wOuLi prefer 10 have him consult with the
Board ABOUT any changes OF any particular import
ance. But this Is mere malice a." looking at Mr..
Lane). lhcn spea ing to Mr.. Nanx he added
shall sustain you. Your zeal is very commcndable,
but We don't want 10 got INTO any trouble III the
Board about IT,"
Ihe Board then voted to sustain Mr. Vaux. Mr..
Lane ony voting no." On Mr.. Lanes motion the
superintendent of Planting was directed to report
the progress OF MS work every two weeks and also
To state whether the planting gong III
Central Park done under his supervision, Mr.
Lane claiming that an excessive amount OF planting
had been done lately.
"WelI SIT, have you anything more-have yOu
exhausted your budget Mr. Wales next asked Of
Mr. Lane. Mr.. Lane was silent.
More feeling was developed IN the Board when
Mr.. NacLca. moved the discharge OF John atkins,
janIior OF the building the Board meets VINO
mas held the place tor thirteen years having been
appointed by Judge Hilton he ground was an
alleged assault, on Aprl 8, upon messenger of the
30 ia john Beckett. Beckett accused MaLkIns of
tamperug with letter which was ADDRESSED 10
hun In care of Comm ssOn Wales. Watkins de-
med 1t, and thereafter the chronicle Is mixed,
Beckett claiming that Watkins, is the older
man. attacked MN with neaVy blacAthOrn cane,
and Watkins 81 .Imlng that bccket the agrees
sOr Both were arrested and taken before IOlce
Justice Gardner who took no "ctIOn, as lie sad the
PARK commissioners would probably take II up.
" ne magistrate dealt with the matter wrongly
and imprO. cry" SAID Mr.. Wales, severely. g
wrote MN letter saying so, aud hoped 10 have
an answer from HIN AT InIs meeting. The matter
snould nave gone before the Grand jury ii had Ie
manned III tIe cry. | examined the case At the
Imc and found beckett had not scratch. while
Watkins lace Desuelred with LlOOd, and
cTai OF MS teen were Knocked Out"
Alr. MacLcan sad mat lac found the persons
quaTrclIng, ana that atkins HAD hidden the stick,
ana ne thought there WAS evidence thai ne tue
agglesSor.
a. Inc magistrate thought the Park Commission
eTs Always qudrIeililg anu That IL had
aiIeCtcu the suDOrdina,cs, Iud II was not much
ma Ter" sad MT. " .tie5, sarcltlCally. But 1
thluk II Is serious. j VIII vote TO discharge the
MESSENGER BAT not the jHtur. lie Is a faIChlui man
ana mas never been complained OIL If you WISH TO
produce similar evidence Tor your man VIII hear
NJ
But Mr. AlacLean did not press the matter and it
ald over iii TOMORROW, 10 Which day the
Board adjourned.