Morning journal and courier., 1889-10-29
rHE oLp cnREr rENoE.

Shall the Fence Be Removed9-A Very Interesting Hearing On tEe Nuptcct-Widely Divided Opinions Prom Prominent Citixens - some
 Suggestlons Made For Beausifying
 the Oreen-A Subject of Much FoPu.
 lar Interest ana Importance.
 The committee on squares held very iu- teresting meeting yesterday afternoon. AL derman Prince and Councilmen Chambsr~ lain, Sanborn and Bromley of the commit tee were present. A large number of promi- nent citizens were present to be heard on the matter of removing the fence from the Green and of erecting band stand in the Green. Those in favor of removing the fence were first given hearing.
 Ex-Governor H. B. Bigslow stated that as he was in great hurry, he would simply state that he was greatly in favor of remove ing the fence. Wallace B. Fenn was in fa- vor of taking away the fence and laying out mall around the Green, well lighted with electric lights.
 John Mccarthy stated that he was now and always had been greatly in favor of removing the fence He said that Donald G. Mitchell would have appeared before the committee, but that he was confined to his
 
 Is so eminent on authority on matters of this kind, had always favored removing the fence and laying out @ mall. This was the idea of U. s. Senator Hillhouse, who laid out the Green and who set out the trees.
 Judge Studley said that he was in favor of removing the fence. He had advocated 1t when he was 6 member of the Court of Com- mon Council.
 Police Commissioner Benton thought that he ha ton had stated that there was danger from runaway teams, but he had visited Q number of cities where the public parks had no fences, and had heard of no such accidents occurring.
 Alderman Bushnell said that the question of expense had been raised. The local news- papers had given the people to understand that the finances of the city were at a low ebb. This was wrong impression. He had the honor to be member of the board of finance, and he wished to state that the city 'a finances were in as geod shape as ever.
 William H. Moseley said that he was much in favor of removing the fence. ...
 President Chandler said that hs was in favor of abolishing the fence, for with 1t would go the crowd of loafers who are al wsys perched upon it on or about the corner of Church and Chapel streets. He favored @ mall and band stand.
 Felix ChiIlingworth was also in favor of taking away the fence.
 The opposition was now given . hearing. Mayor Lewis was the first speaker. He said: CT dislike to differ with the rest of these gentlemen, but must say that am greatly opposed to tho tearing down of that fence. There Is room for twenty-four foot mall inside the fence. am alwaysin favor think the idea of mall around the Green is a good one, but do not believe in taking away the fence."
 Ex Corporation counsel 0. T. Drisooll said he had had his office opposite the Green foI the last ten years, and looked out across the Green winter and summer. He did not want the fence removed. He favored @ mall, but thought it should be inside the fence. Charles E. Graves of the board of eduea- ton stated that he was almost jealous of any changes in the Green. He did not object to having the State House torn down, not that he loved the State House less, but that he loved the Green more" The fence should not be torn down. He objected to the mall, as 1t would take away large area of the green grass of the Green, probably about one sixth. MT. Graves business took him to New York great deal and he could not help noticing how much difference there was between Union Square in that city and our Green. There was no fence there and there were broad paths going in every direo- tion, so that 1t was merely large space with few tufts of grass. There was great difference between Union Square and Stuyvesant Square, which is enclosed. Here everything is green, and there are one hundred nurses and one hun- dred children there to every one nurse and child at Union Square. It would be the same with our Green az with Union Square. The first change made, others would soon follow. The corners will be cut off, Chapel street in due time will have to be widened, and SO on, until, instead of being pleasure park, the Green will be merely business square.
 Dr. Robert Crane was opposed to the res moval of the fence.
 HIT. Blake was strongly opposed to taking away the fence. He thought that if the fence was taken away there would be the hollow on the Chapel street side of the lower Green left. It would coat quite sum to fill this in | and grade It. Mr. Blake then proposed the idea of making sort of terrace of the land should be wall of marble built up on the side toward the Center church to make 1t level with the land on the College street aide. Then there should be a broad concrete walk around the edges. In the center would be large basin about six feet deep, with e large fountain in the cen- ter. On the east side there could be an ell built out, and on that could be built band stand. At each end would be flight of steps. There should be number of electric lights along the walk. Whom not used for Q band stand that affair could be used as a rostrum for public meetings or place where the public could walk past and shake hands with distinguished personages, such as the President and others. Mir. Blake showed the committee several plans carrying out the above ides, made by Architect Stillson. The idea seemed to strike the committee favora
 ply.
 After short executive session the com nittee decided, as the full committee wal | not present, to adjourn, subject to the call of the chairman.