The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-08-05
MR.. CoRCoRAN,s OPPOSITION
To the Removal of the RaiIings
ArOnnh tho Snnnrea.

To the Removal of the RuiIiugs
Around the Squares.
A letter from Greenbrier White Sulphur
Springs referring to the published statement
that "Mr. W. W. corcoran and other citizens
having recently suggested the removal of the
high rails around the Avenue reservations,
Colonel Rockwell, Commissioner OF Public
Buildings and Grounds, announces himself In
favor OF the change, and It will soon be made"
says "Arr. Corcorau has been at this place for
tie past month. He desires me to say that tho
statement is absolutely Incorrect so far as he
Is concerned, and his name Is tho only one
mentioned In 1t. Mr.. Corcoran has not only
never suggested the removal of tho high rails
around the Avenue reservations either to Col.
onel Rockwell or any other person, but on the
contrary no Is bitterly opposed to any such
scheme.
'srhe first iron railing and the best aud most
Of Mr. corcoran around the sapar ar In front ~
tho theatre Il was done at the instance OF the
Secretary OF the Interior, Mr.. Stuart, and In
accordance with the plans Of Mr.. Downing. the
well.known writer on landscape gardening,
who was then laying of tho Smithsonian
grounds. The cost OF the railing to Mr.. Cor
coran was between four and I'VE thousand dol.
lars. special law was soon afterward passed
by Congress, at tho recommendation of Secre-
tary Stuart, authorizing and directing the
different green interspaces, which are 50 fire.
quently mot with IN Washington, and which
add so much 10 Its beauty, to be inclosed by
railings, and for the square so inclosed by Mr..
Corcoran Congress ordered him to be reim-
bursed, or to speak more clearly, the money
he had expended was paid back to him out OF
the appropriation.
"The Enclosure OF these squares and grass
plots having been authorized by special act
OF Congress, Colonel Rockwell has no power to
remove the rails except through another act
OF Congress, and any attempt to lay bare these
pleasant grass plots to the footwalks would DO
In direct violation OF the law. MIR. Corcoran
does not believe that Colonel Rockwell has
any desire 10 mako the change referred to IN
I'm IN al IN ana NA1 nh
gestion, as understand, comes from persons
seeking TO benefit their own property inter-
ests. BY having these reservations thrown
open, which are now the delight of all who
visit Washington, they would, In getting rid
OF inc ialiings lnat now protect them against
HE inimry." '''H'' w 'N'n' an "iopaf"
w.,
What S"iohei ROCKWELL says.
Colonel Rockwell, Commissioner of Public
Buildings and Grounds, to MIR. Corcoran's lot.
ter and asked him for HE views on the ques.
lions raised.
The Colonel Is thoroughly democratic In his
views about the parks and takes q view differ
ent from Mr.. Corcoran In advocating such ar
rangements OF the parks as Will conduce to the
vt was OF course mistake" said tho Col
onel as soon as he had read the letter, ''to
mention Mr.. Corcorans name In connection
active and energetic In securing tho fenc.
ing OF tho reservations at a time when such
action was very desirable and very necessary
TO their preservation. 1t was time when
stray cows, goats and dogs roamed at Will and
people had not learned 10 protect and take
PRIDE IN thelr parks, expressedimy personal
He ramovad AMI 1ysi,a a neno,al
multiplied, because believe II 10 be 10 the
interest md for tho comfort OF the peonle AMI
because we realize that high fenoes are nm.
eiahtly and that tho resery9tIons siIrronnded
by most and chain fences are as easiIv Kent In
good Condition ana are nniformiv mora at.
traciiyo in apnearance To iet Tho neonIo
have the full ise Of tho marx seems 70 he m
tho beat interests of both the peopIs and tho
mark. have never ailowed nv own norsonaI
opinion 10 govern NV action in this mattor
however, as have felt that IL was a matter
To be Decided in Accordance with
the Wish of the Residents
or the neighborhood Of each park. For In
stance, some time ago petition was received
here for the removal OF the fence around
Franklin Park and the substitution OF O ball
and'chain lnclosure. Some OF the residents
OF the vicinity favored and some opposed the
proposed change, and stated that would
take no action IN the face OF such O difference
OF opinion among those interested. More re-
Gently petition for the improvement OF Wash
ington Circle was received, which was almost
unanimous, and which asked for O change of
grade, the removal OF the high fence and int
creased facilities for entering and passing d.
proprlated the money and am having plans
posi'and' ctaIp sencas ava odo oraosad u,
her az entrancaa Nov ha,,o n ra,iiion ILL,