The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-03-09
City Council Proceedings.

City Council Proceedings.
The sober second thought is always the best
in matters that affect the public, especially in
legislation. Many matters of considerable i'm
portance are sprung upon the city council
without the members having had time or OPP
portunity to examine them, Or come to salts
factory decision, and they are often called on
to vote without knowing how to vote. This
was well illustrated in the matter of
LEASING SAN PEDRO PARK.
The committee on public Improvements re-
ported in favor Of granting TO Mr.. kerble a
lease of six years, after expiration Of the Duer-
Ter lease. The city reserving the right TO an
null the lease at any time and paying Mr..
Kerbel for his improvements. A sort of run
ming debate took place which was only remark
able for its general stupidity.
Story wanted to completely give the Springs
away, he didn't seem to appreciate the fact
that it was public park at all.
Caldwell raised objection to the report be-
cause there was nothing definite in the pro-
posed lease, nothing to designate the kind of
improvements to be made or paid for.
Berg tricd to enlighten the council by read
ing over list of items of improvements; that
the park should be enclosed with plank
fence; that at least 500 trees should be set out;
that the springs should be kept clean; the
roots of trees covered; and good walks made
SO people could get around in wet weather,
and that was all.
Lockwood very significantly remarked that
Mr.. Kerblc's bank account was his best rec
ommtndation.
Copeland thought they ought to move slow;
that if Mr.. Kerble could pay $1,000 year for
the lease to Ducrlcr and make improvements
besides, it was worth $1,000 year to the city,
and he should be required to spend $1,000 a
year on the park.
Lockwood replied that Kerbel had told him
he expected to spend $4,000 on the park, but
Lockwood didn't say how.
Pauey moved that the report be amended
so that it should read that the city should su-
'ervise and direct the improvements.
Minter seconded pauley's motion.
Story came to KerbePs rescue by hoping
that he should not be interfered with in any
thing he should do in the park.
The mayor read Mr.. Kerbers petition, and
it is a most remarkable document, and Sc
we're arraignment of the city government. Mr..
tln 4 r. a.
place; torn-down fences, dying trees, muddy
springs even the trees planted by Duerler are
criticised as worthless. Now, whose fault is
this? This is a city park, the city had con-
tract with Duerler that in lieu of his
twenty years lease he should care for,
enclose, protect and beautify the park, and
now when the 20 years are about 10 expire, a
gentleman steps up and proposes to take it for
g years longer as resort garden, and points
out 10 the city that it has received nothing for
20 years rent, in fact the place is worse off by
20 years use and occupation. There was not
a man on the city council to rise in his place
and say this was disgrace to the city and
DciO'S dlOlHGl GllIlS WAS iOHt lcl Us STE mo
this 20 years wrong and see how far we ought
to 60 in leasing public park, before We place
in the hands of private individual again the
power to contrvl spot belonging to
the public in general.
We are of the opinion that certain refresh
ment privileges might be disposed of in the
park, but they should be entirely controlled by
the city and their location designated.
The city should undertake the care and orna-
mentation Of the park, and Use any revenue
arising from rentals to that purpose. We are
confident the leose, as contemplated in the re-
port of the improvement committee, is but a
copy of the Duerlcr lease which we believe to
be without legal standing.
We are favorably impressed with Mr.. Ker.
BILE and believe he will be great improve
ment over the present occupant of the premi-
ses, but we are opposed to lesaing public
park; we don't believe it can be done legally
Some rental of privileges might be made,
but even in this the utmost caution should be
taken.
More Tomorrow.