Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-04
CITY PARKS AND CITY BUILDINGS.


| To the Editor OF the Eagle.
| With your permission I will say few
| words on the above question q, as they
seem to be the questions of the day. Are
parks necessary and actually desired by
our people at this time? In the first set
Element of all western cities the first thing
usually consulted by the people is comfort,
next business, then, if any time TO spare.
pleasure. In our city the first point has
been fairly gained. Our people are reason
ably comfortable. In the second we have
got but fairly started. and all are forced TO
admit are making rapid strides in business
matters. Now comes the third point, what
we all desire. pleasure. And the serious
question with all is are we ready for it,
Have we reached that point in our business
affairs when we can, in good style, take
time and money, and neglect our business
for pleasure? We admit few have, and
are sorry that all have not. If true that
we have reached that point and are pre-
pared to enjoy it, why is it that our city
authorities have failed To improve and
beautify one of the most desirable tracts
was donated for the express purpose Of
parksf
/ am astonisbed that so few seem to IN
derstand that this is a fact, but | assure
all that the records will show that about
two years ago several of our leading bust
ness men who evidently believed we would
reach the point some time when all could
spare few hours from business to enjoy
their valuable and beautiful donation,
made and presented to the city warranty
deed for two twenty acre lots of most
beautiful land, with Chisholm creek and
street ear line running through each, and
dotted with groves of shade and ornamen-
tai treesi Let every citizen of Wichita
drive or ride out on street cars TO the
corner of Hydraulic and Harry streets TO
THE Linwood Park" and carefully look
through it, then hunt up these generous
and worthy gentlemen who donated IL aud
thank them heartily for this noble act.
Then look up the city council and insist
upon them TO comply fully and fairly with
their agreement with these gentlemen In
improving the samef About $500 have
been expended Oh this forty acres, or just
sufficient 10 hold the city's claim good 20
the land. Now until the city makes good
its promise TO these men who donated this
land now worth 5000. and
proceed to build bridges, drives,
walks. rustic chairs, etc. il has
parks. And the taxpayers viii be slow In
taxing themselves for this purpose,
Another of Wichita's enterprising men
constructed at great expense TO himself
one of the best driving parks in the west,
and opened 1t up free 10 all citizens TO en-
JOY. Now what more does the city want
in this line at present. Taxpayers Will
answer-nothing.
CITY BUILDING.
There seems TO be sentiment in some
parts of the city that the action of the
council in locating the city building" on
on Douglas avenue was wrong. And when
asked why, the answer comes PROMPTLY IL
should have been up north" This is not
to De wondered at, because every thing else
that cost money went lhere. But the
question that every true friend OF Wichita
should ask is: Is il right Can we afford
at any price or on any terms 20 break up
business and business men on Douglas
avenue to build up any other part OF the
cityi The question is frequently asked,
VIII the mayor veto. l have uniformly
answered, no" Mr.. Clements Is mayor
of the entire city and Is too broad guaged
20 allow his pecuniary interests 70 interfere
with bis Official duties; then be has long
since discovered the long continued and
unjust discrimination against the south |
end, and will only oe too glad 10 help
even up;
Some insist tha. the lets COS. too much, /
that we could have bought them much |
cheaper etc OF course we could: would |
have gladly sold the city one hundred lots |
for this money. bu: like the Others offered /
they were TOO FAR out in the country. The /
lots purchased by the city are worth tie /
money every day in the week. and with /
suitable building thereon viii be q source /
Of revenue 20 the city from the day it IL /
finished Then IN securing this location /
our city also secures one Of The weaIchssxt /
who Is worth in hard nnosev over hall