New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-24
TO RUIN CITY HALL PARK.
(Continaed from First PageJ
first time, 1t was learned by those outside the
councils Of Tammany what was really the Mayors

Interpretation of the bill An amendment to the
law, poStponng oil action in the matter for one
year, that is, until proper effort could be MADE
TO secure site fOr the building outside Tn" PARK,
was prepared hastily, and sent TO Albany. IL
was introduced in the Assembly by General Hustled
on the day before the Legislature adjourned.
Before presenting IL the General visited the leaders
Of both sides, explained the mistake that had
been made in passing the bill and the nature OF
the amendment. Assemblymen Crosby, Hamilton
and the other Republicans who had helped to pass
the bill at once agreed to support the amendment.
But no sooner did Assemby man Hagen, the rep.
rescntativo OF the Mayor at Albany, hear the pro-
posal than he declared his unalterablc opposition
Tho Mayor has set his heart on thlt build
ing he said, and / shall never consent TO any
thing that would prevent him having it
OF course il was useless to ar-uc with him.
He had received his orders and he obrreh them 70
the letter. Democratic as we'll IA Republican
papers came ont strongly in favor of The proposed
amendment, hut the Mayor refused 20 let II pass.
Unanimous consent was nrCcSSarT % cet " to y
third reading. That could not b. oLtJn"d.
vote WIS taken. Evcry ono of the siXty-threc Re;
pnblicans present. except two, Measrs. Gibbs and
Fish, voted for III" amendment. Fortr-thrce
Democrats voted against it. And vet. in spite Of
all this, Mayor Grant would have people believe
that the Republican legislature is TO hhm" for
the proposed injury TO the park. The o. law
said to reporter tho other d." in trying to eX-
cuse his connection with the business.
OTHER SITES TO DE HAD.
No one denies that the city is badly in need of
new municipal building. But to assert, as
Mayor Grnnt does that it is impossible TO secure
q suitable site for one outside the park south of
Union Square is TO make u st,tement that Is not
accurate, 10 say the lest. Without attempting
10 advocate any particular site-for The Tribune
has no preference in the matter; n only desires
that the park shall mot be mOlestpd-one might
ask Why cannot the Stewart Building be pur-
chased? II was offered TO the city less than two
years ago for s2,225. 600, sum far less than will
be expended the hug" p;-2 that i to be erected
in the park Is il not well adapted for the pur
poses required? It's situation is excellent and
with Sts irr-proof vault, largo weu-lighted
rooms, elevator. electric LIGHTS and other modern
convcnicncCS, and its eight acres Of office floor
SInce, IL would seem 10 meet the requirements Of
the city as we'll as anythin: that Is likely to be
erected under the supervision Of TamnHn- Hall
The fact that a number Of thP city departments
ARE now GUartrrcd in the building Is practical
evidence Of suitability.
Then there is the block bounded By Park Row,
Ccntrest., Tryon Row and Chamhers-st., a cut Of
which is presented here 10 show how much Of il
is owned by the city already. The city property
is indicated by the dark portion Of the map, No. ?.
ONE MILLION DOLLARS WOULD DE ENOUGH
The total assessed valuation Of the property
not owned by the city in this block is only s542,-
500. Assuming this TO be between so and 40 Per
cent OF the real value the rate OF assessment hero.
il will be seen that the entire block is worth con-
sidcraby less than u million Of dollars Suppose
the city had 10 pay that sum would il he an ex-
brilliant price for such site? Would IL not be
better for the city 20 pay twice that sum than
have the park practically deStrOyed2 II is not
Necessary speak Of IN" desirable features Of this
site. They are apparent 10 every one who has
given any consideration 70 the subject.
II neither Of these be deemed suitable, then there
is still another in the portion of the block in
Chambcrsst on which the Stewart Building
stands, the ground east OF the Emgrant Savings
Bank This property is assessed at sl,700,0O0.
To buy it would involve a larGc outlay, 10 be sure.
hut the site IL one Of great value. No doubt, oh
jrctiunS could be raised against this and every
other place that might he suggested, but no argu-
ment against il could be NJ strong as those which
should prevent the erection OF Mayor Grants pro-
posNl building.
IAstlv, this city does not rcHuir" any further
mr. hItrrturHl monuments 10 Iammnny HAL IL
has one in the new Court House that made tho
tRXmycrs groan another on the same scale would
drive the city into bankruptcy.