Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-25
SUBMIT 1YENUE P4RK.
A Meeting to Consider AIr. Presley's Prop
ositiOn


ositiOn
At meeting of citizens, interested
members of the city council and several
prominent lawyers at Gen. Sibley's Office
yesterday afternoon the deed by which
Bart. Presley proposes to convey the land
at the junction of Dayton and Summit
avenues to the city for park purposes was
animatedly discussed by the full attend
ance.
While but few present were in favor of
accepting the deed as drawn up with its
revisionary clause, that in case the land
should ever be perverted from park pur-
poses, that it should revert to
Mr.. Presley and his heirs,
the majority considered the
first clause of the deed conveying it for
park purposes, sufficiently strong to bind
the property to that use.
There then arose the question of the
right ofthe city council to accept land for
this purpose, in accordance with the Iegis-
latlve enactment authorizing the issue of
bonds for this purpose, and to forecIose a
title which was not absolute to the city,
1t being understood that members of the
council had already shown thorough op-
position to such foreclosure.
1t was shown that the land of Mr.. Pres
ley was not in the market, and never would
be placed therein excepting for park
purposes. That the stipuIations of the
deed were made by him to more absolutely
if possible limit the land for park pur-
poses by the city without any thought of
hlnpfIt 10
sIole revision to his family or heirs, or a
remote possibility of such a reversion.
Judge Flandrau made the statement that
the act of the legislature covered the lands
taken for park purposes under the REQUIRE
ments of that act for sole use for park
purposes. That an action of the CITY
council taking title in lands for park
purposes was further secur-
ity for their absolute use as such,
while the public dedication of said park to
the public use was sufficient security in all
that they would be taken for no other pur-
pose. Besides if their diversion should
ever be undertaken the smallest taxpayer
interested could bar such proceedings with
injunction.
The sense of majority of the meeting
was expressed that the citizens subscribing
money, the council, and these present
would be satisfied with the first clause of
the deed, viz: ''For the express condition
that 1t be used for a public park for the
use and enjoyment of the city
and for no other purpose what
ever, for perpetual guaran-
tee that 1t would never be used for other
purposes, and that his attorneys resubmit
the deed to Mr.. Presley asking that
the revisionary clause, ''on the further
consideration that if used for other pur-
poses, the property shall revert to Mr..
Presley and his heirs" etc., be expuuged.
If Mr.. Presley had made his offer in
good faith, and made this extra binding
clause only that he might more thoroughly
secure the property to the use de-
signed, after representation to
him of the action of this
meeting and the decisions arrived at. IT
was not matter of doubt that he would
accede to their request, in the re-submis-
sion of the deed to him for revisement.
Messrs. Cornish and Otis of the board
OF aldermen, and City Attorney Murray
were of the opinion that with such aItera-
ton the document would be accepted by
the city council, ard that body said they
would do all in their power to have it
done.
If the decision of Mr.. Presley
is favorable, special meeting of the city
council will be called on Monday evening
to act upon this question.
Tn citizens funds were announced as
ready to commemorate the transaction.
and much interest was manifest that work
on plating, grading and laying out the
new park be immediately entered upon.