Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-05
PULLING JUDICIAL BUTTONS.
Over One Hundred Candidates
Slated for the Park Commission.
MANY ARE NAMED, NONE CHOSEN
A Number Of Prominent Citizens and
Few Political Gardeners on the
the distributes and RESPONSE
biIities of the Commission.
The Park Commission ership.

II current street gossip has any founda-
tion 1t is safe TO predict, on the strength OF
conversations heard yesterday, that there
are no less than one hundred candidates in
Omaha for the FIVE places on the park com
mission. Half dozen men who were asked
for information on the subject, replied:
"They are legion"
One week from next Tuesday the district
judges will appoint five men TO constitute a
board of park commissioners, and as the
time approaches for this official act to be
consumated, interest increases correspond
ingly. Since there is no compensation worth
mentioning connected with the office, it
seems to be source of great sur
prise to everybody to know that so
many men aspire to the position. at simply
shows" said one citizen, "that they are in.
terested in having system of parks estab-
tablished, and willingly volunteer their SER
vices regardless of expense or Inconvenience,
to do the work"
Another suggested that many Of the can
didates are inspired by selfish motives and
have property interests they desire to dis
pose of But the more prominent men men
toned are being urged by their friends, and
they have expressed themselves as feeling
willing to sacrifice personal convenience Tor
the public good.
Among the list of names now on file with
the judges are such we'll known citizens as
DIR. George l.. Miller, Herman Kountze, A.
J. Poppleton, Clark Woodman, John Grant,
water, G. S. Montgomery, James Creighton,
Augustus Pratt, Euclid Martin, George w.
Ambrose, William +. Ambrose, George Can
field, j. H. Lacy, Aaron Hoel,
Major j. L; Dennis, James L.
George Smith, George Paul, E. L. Emery
and q host of others. In fact, there are so
many in the race that it was found lmpossi-
BILE to get complete roster OF them. The
judges declined to divulge any information
regarding candidates saying that TO 90 SO
would be an act of betrayal on their part of
the trust imposed on them. One Judge said
that the appointments would not be made
until the second Tuesday in this month,
which is the latest date the matter can
extended.
The legislatlveu acto creating ae
board of park commiss ioners for
cities of the metropolitan class
fixes the membership of such boards at five.
They may elect one of their number chair
man, whose compensation is placed at 5000
per annum. The other four can draw only
500 each. The duties prescribed are in sub
stance that they shall designate such lands
and grounds as may be deemed necessary to
be used for park purposes, employ a secre-
tary, landscape gardener, SUPERINTENDENT,
keepers assistant superintendent and keep.
ers, as well as such laborers as may be re-
quired. Much is expected from the
first board; therefore all inter
ested parties manifest great anxiety
who will take pride in the work delegated to
them; men whose means and leisure time
from private affairs will permit them to give
it much Of their attention.
If indications go for anything, DR.. Miller
and John Grant have the lead. While the
doctor insists that he Is not an applicant,
strong influence is being brought to bear
upon the judges to name him as one OF the
lucky five. A powerful petition, asking for
John Grant to be appointed, has been flied
BY numerously signed petition.
Judge Poppleton and Herman Kountze
have refrained from making any
efforts, but an army Of friends are pulling
the ropes for them. S. S. Curtis is likewise
in the front rank, and it is generally con
ton. Neither Millard, Montgomery, nor
Martin have Indicated an anxiety to serve,
but they are favorably mentioned. AS
everybody admits the absolute necessity OF
drew Rosewater's chances are largely in the
ascendency.
Mr. W. H. Alexander, expressed himself
about in this strain: John Grant, would
n,1aa' think be be as .ss fit hoard man ar 10, 70,
could get, and with four good men to bach
| him, say DIR. Miller, Augustus Pratt, An
| drew Rosewater, an engineer, and G. S
| Montgomery. a lawyer, am certain we
would get the right kind of work done
| There are probably dozen states, on all Of
which the names of Miller and Grant figure
| Some add Kountze. Poppleton and Rose
| water; others Creighton. Bechel and George
| Smith, while another has Curtis, Mont
| gomery and Rosewater.
The anxiety this time is based mainly on
| the fact that this, the first board, will have
| upon its shoulders the responsibility of map
| ping out the park system leaving their sue
| cessors to carry out the plans laid down b,
them. 1t is impossible to predict, as yet
| what the commissioners, whoever they may
| he will attempt tn do this sDring