The daily gazette., 1883-03-28
~. uoarElln1ro. alsanR.
Views of Prominent Gentlemen as Ex-
pressed at . Meeting Last Night.


A meeting Of those interested in the estab.
lishment of public parks in Wilmington was
held at the Office of the Wilmington Savings
Fund Society last evening. Among those
present were John Jones, George W. Bush,
George w. Stone, James Bradford. William
z. Bancroft, Jr., Congressman Lore, Joseph
L. Carpenter, Jr., Daniel w. Taylor, Col.
John Wainwright, Alfred D. Poole, Henry
Ferris, Ellwood Garret, Solomon Hersey.
Councilmen Talley and Blake.
Ex-Mayor j. P. Allmend was chosen
secretary and William NJ. Candy treasurer.
1t was advised, as q perfectly feasible
plan, to establish road up the south bank
Of the Brandywine and that the Wilmington
and Brandywine Cemetery Company would
grant the right of way through their pro-
perty at any time. Mr.. Candy thought that
q committee of citizens ought to be ap-
pointed representing the poor and rich alike,
for the former were really more interested
than the latter, who could 90 away from
home for recreation.
The certified copy of the bill prepared by
Judge Wales and William c. Spruance, Esq,
received few days ago was read. 1t names
as Park Commissioners William P. Bancroft,
Jr., George H. Bates, Thomas F. Bayard,
Edward Belts, Francis N. Buck, George W.
Bush, William M. Candy, Joseph L. Car
penter, Jr., Henry A. DUPONT, j. Taylor
Cause, and eI-o6tciO the Mayor of the city,
the President Of City Council, the chairman
Of the Council Finance Committee and the
Chief Engineer OF the City Surveying De-
partment.
Mr.. Stone thought the Park Commission
ought to meet and organize and present a
definite plan to the people and to the City
Council, and Mr.. Candy deemed 1t imper-
ative that q certain amount of money be
raised this spring or the scheme would fail.
Nearly all the gentlemen present had
something to say on the subject, and their
opinions were about as follows
Mr.. TGylor-The commissioners must
organize before a citizens meeting could do
anything.
Mr.. StOne-It is matter for the City
Council alone and it is not possible to raise
5000 wholly by private subscription.
Mr.. Canby-If the matter is lett wholly to
City Council 1t will never amount to any
thing.
Mr.. Hersey-The commission should or
ganize and call a mass meeting In some
public place. Committees of the people
representing the rich and the poor and in
cluding such men as the foremen of the
workshops should be appointed. The
masses were interested in the matter and
would contribute to the enterprise in small
amounts.
Mr.. Bush-There will be no difficulty in
raising funds by private subscription as 80
years ago $780, 900 was raised in such man.
ner TO establish the Wilmington Institute
Library. The commission ought to organize.
Mr.. Bancroft-The matter ought to be
pushed ahead as rapidly as possible, in order
to secure the contribution of 81, 900 from the
Brinckle estate. The purchase of the addi-
tional 33 acres will give park Of about 80
acres In addition to what the DuPonts might
donate.
Mr.. Talley-The ground not donated
should be paid for by the City Council and
stated thus at the present assessment $40 ,000
could be raised by tax of cents on the
Sl0O Council can now appropriate $40, ,0OC
in addition to the $1,000 offered by the
Brinckle estate, and IL necessary borrow
another $4,000.
Mr.. Canby-The wealthy citizens of the
city will contribute literally to the project,
and some are pledged to do so.
Mr.. Stone-City Council should buy the
ground and the money contributed should
be used for Its improvement.
Mr.. Ferris-The Commission after organ
ization should be prepared to report to the
City Council just what they are able to do
and what they wanted.
The following resolutions reported re-
spectively by Mr.. Taylor and Mr.. Candy
were adopted
Res0lUed, That it is the sense of this meeting
that the Park Commission, as authorized by
the Legislature, should organize at once and
lay before the City Council their desires In re
lation to the purchase Of property for park
purposes.
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this meeting
that the Park Commissioners should as soon al
they organize appoint committee of citizens
to solicit subscriptions to aid in procuring
ground necessary for park.