Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-29
IT Is TOO ESSENTIAL.
A Mooted Government Gift of Arsenal
Grounds to the Public.
MAI. M'KEE ON THIS CENTRAL POST
An Act of Congress Required to Give o. s.
Land to the Public.
TIE MAJORS HOPES AND FEARS OUT

A DISPATCH reporter, whose soul was
of the Arsenal grounds into public park,
strolled thither the other evening to make
inquiries. On application at the arched
gateway, Cerberus, in the person of a
stalwart warrior, with an unmistakably
Southern accent, surmised that Major Nc
Kee, the Superintendent, could not be seen
at 80 late an hour. The reporter, however,
cast forth nets of persuasion, and succeeded
in ensnaring the sentry into leading him
toward the Majors residence. Accordingly
they stepped briskly through the charming
grounds, half lighted by the sparsely
scattered lamps, half obscured in jealous
darkness, and reached, all too soon, the
Majors pretty domicile. 1t turned out that
Major Mckee was accessible after all. and
in delightful humor to boot.
WHY HE SMILED.
Upon inquiry with regard to the rumored
project, the Majors strong Velasquez face
wreathed itself in smiles, and he spoke as
follows: "My dear sir, am just as Ignorant
as you about Uncle Sans intentions. You
see, it would require an act of Congress to
turn these grounds into park, and any
information / should receive would be
official information after the passage of such
an act. Any ordinary newspaper reader
will know as soon as l. 4"
Asked about the visionary bandstand,
which has been lately talked OF. the Major
puffed great cloud of tobacco smoke into
the air, and observed that in that particular
also he was ignorant. The only thing open
to the public about the grounds was the
fountain. He and Mr. Irwin had put up q
fountain; and when Mr.. Irwin moved from
the neighborhood the people were permitted
to use the water. The twin streams Of
incoming and outgoing children. with
pitchers and cans, never slackens from
"early morn to dewy eye."
The Major expressed q fervent wish that
the Pittsburgers would agitate for this park
measure, however, if they indeed desire it.
1.-THE Government could not give the
ground off hand, even if they wished to do
So" he said. "Pressure must come from
Pittsburg, and a bill must be passed before
this can be
A CITY BREATHING-PLACE.
"If Congress ever does ordain it, 1 am
confident the people will find their park in
perfect order. 1 always make it a point,
whatever post am ordered to, of improv-
ing so far as possible on the work of my
predecessors. In this case fatter myself
without any disparagement upon the ex-
cellent work OF the former SUPPLEMENTARY
that have succeeded in vastly improving
the place.
"By the way, don't think you folk know
that our arsenal is a very important center,
and that our storehouses supply all the
neighboring military stations with ammu-
milton, etc. Indeed, fail to see how the
War Department can supply the place of
Pittsburg Arsenal. However, I hope the
Pittsburgers will get the grounds, which
believe they sorely need"
The Major saw his tormentor politely out,
and, in conclusion, said that his sole fear in
the matter was that Uncle Sam might be
tempted to sacrifice to Mammon and his
high priests. the speculative lot purchasers,
a place so hallowed by old associations as
the arsenal grounds. "As a soldier" he
said, IT should hate to see the old spot
hacked up INTO lots, and made hideous with
brick denominations.