New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-26
NO REVIEW CENTRAL PARK
GEN. FIrzGERALD's REQUEST DENIED.

FAILING TO CONVINCE THE COMMISSIONERS
REASONS FOR THE REFUSAL
Brigadier-Gencral Fitzgerald, of the Frs
Brigade of the National Guard. lnspector-Generai
Schaeffer and Major +. T. Marsh, OF the list Reg
iment. appeared before a special meeting of the
Park Board yesterday in support of the application
for permit for the annual parade and inspection
Of the FIRST Brigade IN Sen1raa ID la tbc
location of the Green. the large stretch OF com.
mons on the West Drive, and be thought thar u
presented excellent facilities for the annual parade
Ind for the public to enjoy 1t. The Green consists
of about ten acres, and effort was once MADE 10
secure by an act OF the Legislature tins spot lor
General Fitzgerald said that the man an
question as II appeared to him was whct1ei lie lie
turf would be greatly damaged by the parade. iiS
thought that special injury would be ooiie a .n
certainly not more than would be BALANCED ny We
benefit that would accrue TO the militia 4 ne re-
Quest was not for an annual permission, pu' loi 'n'
special occasion.
Pr..deut Beekmau-How many men would you have
General Fitzgerald-About $500. expect;
Mr. BeekmSn-And how many mounted S,nue ons
Of ak and the other Of There are usually four
horses TO each gun but there is e,ery carriages
have broad tires and the four smaller guns are Gatnngs
end drawn by hand the sSss Of hs res
snts amounting TO mop or officers and all told will
number about 100 thonf ,.,,,
General FI:zgerald-Not more than that tninK
Commissioners Crimmns and Borden thought II
the nermisson were given the batteries would nave
10 he dispensed WITH at any rate so lar as pIhsHe
them on the lawns. General ftzeeIaid fhou Ign
that that arrangement could DE lhade. nc ear,
that n line of battle would be formed on the AVN
about 600 feet long and massed several men deep;
There would be little OF no manGuvrng or uIiI
formation would be made 1or dress paraoo tb IeT
would march up the Green and BACK 10 the roau as
soon as the parade was over. He would detail ne
saiG what men were asked Tor TO assist the Taih
DO Ice in keeping the crowds of the grass.
Mr. Borien-How long would the parade occupy
General FItzgerad-About two hours m ,os.d
TO vehicles during that time 4. .,..,,o ,,o
southern portion me Park for four or Aye Do.
General Fzgerad-I wish to say that tne % yonr
captain Of police. may add that do not tnnK 1n's
o the statue of Fz Greene naeck The excitement
then causing the ropes to be broken anu so .cn u
age done believe. due to the presence OF fresuen
M cr,mmins-I do not lcpate that the damage to
e pafi iSenhins to make some changes the lawns
anyway improve Them, and the opening OF tno a., h
~ re children and public has been IN the
line OF nv policy as a commissioner We have had as
large crowds and troops at the dedeaon Oh Tue h .m
statue and crowds every week during tue SUN
mer at the than are likely to have here
The Board decided to discuss the subject at the
executive session aud General d f1gru in ana abom
an hour announced that the Board would not grant
the PERMISSION General Fitzgerald appeared much
disappointed. Inc lOlIoWlhs is 'ho i00'i"'''''
adopted nv the Board: ~, 49,. ,,,
Hirea- Application has been made ny Brgader Generhi
gerald q. = y. for 10 holu
tn First Brigade Ills Excellency the Governor oi INC
II Central Park. and -
rbe,eds This Board while sensible OF the importance 10
The National Guard such and feeling ucsOu OF
for that as their oi1ca uuy
1av rnt opinion that 10 grant the appa ti3h
the long established pohcy OF t'
Department and would form dangerous precedent ol re-
and military civil III
PARK with the purposes for which has been Is
tabliShed. 49,. a.
respectfully denied. -.
President Beekman said that the reluSai wac
hased on the fact that permission might be dam
rerous precedent. The policy of the Park Depart
ment had always been opposed TO using the Iark
for paIafe purposes and Frederick Law Olmsted
had made q strong report against such PERMISSION
On the other hand if the military were permitted 10
parade in the Park, there was reason why inc
noiice and labor organizations should not bt
GRANTED similar privileges General fltzgeralC
said that he could not determine where the parade