New-York tribune., 1882-04-09

IL
he proposes to devote himself largely to re-
planting the groves and borders OF the Park.
But plainly it is the plantations which
most of all need sanitary and remedial
treatment, and the supervising artist quite as
plainly recognizes this fact when he demands
that this delicate work shall be done under
the advice of one in whom the public has con-
fidence, in whom Mr.. Vaux has confidence, ana
with whom he has been intimately associated
in other landscape work
There is no need to discuss the prOpriety OF
clothing Mr. Parsons with executive power,
although the reasons for this are obvious.
1t is enough to know that this was Mr..
Vauxs chosen method of administra-
ton. There could be no objection to it,
and if the majority of the Board had
been honestly desirous of substituting for
brutal ignorance creative ability and culti-
waited taste as controlling influences in the
Park, the proposition would have been prompt
ly adopted, as Mr. Wales urged more than
once. But no notice whatever was taken OF
it by those demOnstrative friends of art, and
priceless, season has been wasted and worse
than wasted, for a brigade of wrcckers has
been actively destroying " underbrush
and defacing things generally all winter
long If this appointment had been made last
autumn n great amount of work which can
only be done in the winter could have been
disposed of. for the last four months have been
exceptionally favorable. This work must now
be delayed year, when it will be greater in
amount and moro difficult to execute, and
even then the uncertainties of our climate
N in, nrl,in
be almost impracticabe. Besides this actual
work Accomplished the gardening force could
have been organized and plans adopted for an
energetic spring campaign As it is, Mr. Vanx
will find more to do and to undo, with the
new year constantly pressing ahead of his
preparations.
Nevertheless, for any reputable performance
of the present Commissioners, however tardily
or grudgingly done, the city will be grateful,
and none The less so because they have been
lashed into their present position step after
step by the expression OF outraged
public opinion through the newSpa-
pers. A good deal Of wholesome instruc-
ton like that contained in Mr.. Olmsteds
pamphlet, as well as in the newspapers, has
prepared the people to give some intelligent
attention to their rights, and this action OF the
Park Board is foretaste of what may yet be
gained. Meanwhile it is in order to inquire
what has become of Mr. Robb and his bill.
This Board may do some works meet for re-
pentancc but 1t is constitutonaly incOmpe
tent, and there is no reason why it should
remain. If no more radical reform can be
brought about let the power of confirmation
be taken away from the Aldermen before
Mayor Grace is called upon to nominate
successor to Mr.. Lane. so that he can have a
fair chance to pat some of his ex-
cellent doctrine to practical use. But if
the Legislature should fail altogether,
the Mayor cannot escape from his duty.
lIe has set forth in the columns Of TIE
TRIBUNE the shameful results of placing in
power such statesmen as Mr.. Lane. If he has
no relief from Albany it will siil be his duty
to name some gentleman of credit and give
the Aldermen an opportunity to behave for
once like publc-spirited citizens Who knows
that an habtual Alderman may not yet be
reached by public opinion There is much en-
couragement to hope since the Park Board has
been stirred.