New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-12
toni J. W. Foshay and the Rev. Drs. Elder and Cranda
OF this city, and Jones' Of Newburg. The burial wa at
THE TREES or PROSPECT PARK.
WHAT COL. CULVER SAYS ABOUT THEM.

THE CUTTING PURE ACT OF vANDALIsM-DE-
s1ROYING FEATURE OF THE PARK.
The emphatic protest against the destruction OF the
beautiful forest trees that form the most charming
natural feature of Prospect Park. which the exchef en-
gineer and superintendent Colonel John Y Culyer sent
few days ago to the Brooklyn Park Commissioners led
THE TRIBUNE TO make inquiries OF Colonel Culyer TO the
amount Of damage done and then threatened by the Park
Board, which appointed last summer by Mayor
Whitney, and is composed OF men who seem determined
to use the park for political purposes far possible
1t 10 said that more than OF the commissioners Is
itching to be Mayor next fall and that great deal
OF political pipe is being laid In connection with
the park Under previous commissioners politics was an
unknown quantity. Colonel Culyer, who was the chief
engineer from 1872 until his resignation last fall, would
not employ discharge for political reasons, and
throughout varying city administrations the park was in
violate far the politicians concerned The new
commissioners forced Colonel Cuyer to resign and have
been busy in rang scandals and trying TO prove that
the former administration corrupt When not occu-
pied in this work they have planned various Improve
ments," the most atrocious Of which to hew down
OF the magnificent trees which far TO make the
park admired by all visitors. When Colonel Culyer
asked on Thursday about this vandalism he could with
difficulty restrain his indignation.
They charge me-" he said. with being sore head
OF course expected that but allegation Of that kind
could prevent Inc from doing my plain duty In the
circumstances. The park is too dear to and have
the ideas Of the who planned it to allow such an
outrage to pass without letting the people OF Brooklyn
know what work OF destruction is being contemplated in
the park. And am glad TO see that the newspapers
seconded my efforts with right goodwill THE TRIBUNE
and some other New-York papers spoke emphatcay
and 10 the point and all of the Brooklyn papers with
exception, responded in the right way. The Park Com
misoners If they persist In this outrage must do with
their eyes open What their motive is 1t Is hard
TO imagine They are themselves entirely ignorant of
landscape work, and the English horticulturst whom
they have imported has shown his fitness in any
for the duties that devolve upon him His experience df
he has had any as understand. he clams a subord
nate assistant In English parks. would not at all make
him competent deal with the different conditions here
"Tbe work of cutting down fine trees began what
is called the Pool and Commissioner Somers stated
for doing this that he wanted to promote circua
ton Of air there and reduce the temperature in hot
days This too absurd to be considered seriously
Another that they wanted TO construct path
the hill there of the finest parts OF the park
1 never any special necessity for path
In that place. but is needed how much better 1t
would be-how much more attractive In every way-tO
let 1t wind in and out among the trees instead OF hacking
them out of the II railway were to be built and
Decline aimportant OF course people who visit
the park do 80 esurey and the paths have been arranged
In in order add the beauty Of the landscape
and open up views in every direction. park with
straight and rectangular walks would be utterly prepos
ferrous
"Cf any interference with the woodlands is in
contraventon Of the design Of the park The foresr
are cheffeatures and beauties There other
park in the country that is richly provided with trees,
unless be the Baltimore Park, which is only partly i'm
proved. When this matter first got into the papers
received letter from Frederic Law Olmstead who laid
out the park here, well Central Park and many
parks in different parts of the country with
summae skill and ability, and who easily stands at the
head OF American landscape architects, asking me II it
possible that these commissioners going on TO
destroy the beautiful trees in Prospect Park without OBJ
tanning the advice OF competent authority as TO
what they were doing 1t is certain that unless
this slaughtering of trees Is stopped the
feature which gives individuality TO the
park will be destroyed rretrievably. To cut down
Tree only the work of hour to replace II is almost
impossible Nothing but ignorance could lead these men
TO such a course. cannot but believe that when they
ystas and circulation of air they Will deslst
the criticisms which are made upon me- reel
sure that my vindicatiOn will come in time. am quite
willing admit that the park was not under y'caie
what should like TO have made it, But II was simply
because appropriations inadequate III was not
because of Ignorance incompetence ipcapacty or
lack desire TO make the park as perfect az possible
With the larger appropriation which the present
board have they ought TO be aDe 10
do much better and bring about many improve
ments. No would he gladder TO see
this done than l. but must protest with all my might
ing of ma gnifcent understand to-day that the
cutting stopped for the present at least presume
this response the cutlery that has Justly Deen made
My only hope is that the stopping will be permanent