Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-04-10
rou THE orDARs.

FIGHTING FOR THE CEDARs.
A Large Delegation Listens to mr..
states Argue for she Park Befofo ING
park mmission-AttOrney FiGoscs
Arwument-The Commission NON.
Committal.
IL the cedars is not chosen as the site 1or
the Fourth ward park 1t will not be the tau''
of the citizens of that portion OF the CITY.
There was large delegation OF them IN inc
s,aarmen's chamber last night to listen to the
address of their representative, Mr.. James N.
States. to the members of the park commits
sion. Among those present were Captain NJ.
A. Rntricks, G. 81. Butrlcks, G. B. Foster,
Sherman Law, Richard w. Law, Thomas N.
Prentice, 8. q. Fleetwood, ex-Mayor Henry
q. Lewis. Nathan Easterbrook, Isaac Wolfe,
Harry H. Baldwin, George Baldwin, IT,, AL,
exander Wallace, J. Il. Smith, S.P. Thrasher
and many others.
The greater part of the residents of the
Fourth ward seem to want the park to extend
from Lamberton street to Sea street, or as
nearly 30 o. practical. Attorney James P.
Pigott was the only representative present OF
those opposed to this plan. It was the In:
tention Of the park commission to give half
an hour to each speaker and then give Mr..
| States fifteen minutes to close his argument.
Mr.. States asked If there were two parties
In the matter.
Mr.. Baldwin said he understood Attorney
Pigott represented one side and Mr.. States
the other.
Mr.. States then went on to say he was
chosen some time ago as member OF COM
mittee of the chamber of commerce, to act In
relation to the location Of public parks.
During his connection with this committee
he was impressed with the idea that the
people wanted a park located on the
plot of ground known as the Cedars.
a petition was circulated asking that park
be located by the commission bounded BY
Lamberton, Hallock and Sea streets and the
harbor. Il was then considered that park
In this locality was an assured thing. Lately
the residents of this vicinity began to fear
they were not going to get their park. They
heard Of the park sites purchased on Beacon
Hill, Morris Cove and Water street. They
then petitioned the commissioners to locate
q park somewhere on the point. They
had rather have 500 feet between
First and Second street than 1900
feet at the very point, for 1t
would be of far greater benefit to those who
would use the park. A few days after they
| heard there was q counter. petition in circula.
tion to have the park below Fifth street. He
| was told signatures were obtained to this by
the representation that it must be signed II
the park was to be procured at oil. 1t was
last resort. Other petitions were then put In
circulation. Mr.. States was appointed to ad-
voeats park embracing the first territory
named. Ths whole tract of land which 10
desired for park site includes land owned
by the New York, New Haven and
Hartford railroad and the Standard OIL
company and could not be purchased
for less than $4,000. However, the mass
meeting of the Fourth ward citizens was
unanimous In sentiment that at least the
park site should embrace the land south
from John Dixons property to Sea street. II
begins upon high bluff and extends easter
ly and southerly to the harbor. 1t could be
purchased for 100000, and upon 1t are nine
or ten houses which could be sold and there
by lower the cost. 1t could be developed
into the most beautiful park in Connecticut.
The act of the legislature under which you
are acting, he continued, gives you authority
to take this land at a fair price. / am told
that land which you have been offered for
S. 900 was at the same time in the hands of
Q real estate agent for $500. Gentlemen,
| II the prices asked you are exorbitant we ap-
peal to you to avail yourselves of the author
ity of the state of Connecticut and take 1t at
| q fair price. We have an aggregate of 5000
voters and we ask you to make for us an
appropriation equal In comparison to what
You have given to other districts. We
are sue you can get this site for 100000. You
have $4,000 left and you will have the
balance, about $50, 600, for other places. We
earnestly ask you to exercise the power OF
the state and take the land at fair price.
Attorney Piggott said the difference be-
tween Mr.. Stated forty and his forty was
! very small, II being but FIVE hundred feet.
The main objection he saw in Mr.. States
plan was the close proximity to the railroad.
He said II the railroad property above
INLambsrton street was purchased, the rail
J road corporation could at any time condemn
It and buy it back at whatever price II
| wished to. Then the park would be de.
spoiled. This site, at least that above Lam
bsrton street, In near the railroad shops and
adjoining mud fats upon which sewer
!, empties. 1t Is not an agreeable place for 9
public breathing ground. As he understood
the question, the people of the Fourth ward
had not the absolute decisions. The le9isla.
ture had empowered the commission to pro-
cure park cites, not the Fourth ward to dc
this. The most land that can be obtained
for the least money should be purchased.
Mr.. States replied that the most beautiful
view In the harbor could be obtained from
the bluff near Lamberton street. He drew q
very pretty picture of It, He said, however,
they were ready to waive the best view, that
above Lamberton street, and only asked the
com mission to begin at John Dixon's line
and 20 south as far a. $50, 600 will go. He
was confident this would take in the whole
tract to Sea street. But If we oan's have any
thing but the little swampy plot below, he
continued, We don't want anything at all.
This was greeted with sharp applause by the
spectators. He said they rather take their
chances In other directions for apark. When
you went to the Legislature you bonded the
town to buy parks for the people. Here
IL q stretch of land by which
there are 10000 of our people.
It Is the only spot by which the mass of the
people can get to the seashore between the
whole circle from the Sea street sewer to
Sargent's factories. The property at present
prices averages only $55 foot, while $40 was
paid for that on Water street. We want q
park of some magnitude. 1t is q densely
populated part and the people have no other
breathing place.
After the arguments had been heard the
committee went into executive session for
some time. Alderman 8. 8. Thompson was
the hrst member to come out of the room.
When asked what had been doue he stated
he had completely forgotten the proceedings
of the meeting.
Henry r. English, secretary of the COM
mission, said no decision in the matter had