St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-08-24
SIX PARKS LOST
BY the Supreme Court Decision
Trend Of Public Opinion.

BY the supreme court DeClsIOH...
Trend Of Public Opinion.
The word invalid" inserted by the
supreme court in the Park case, re-
turned six of st. Paul,s beautiful, green
swards and picturesque spots to the
possession of private owners. and de-
tracts much from the future beauty and
attractiveness of that many parts OF the
city. AS result they shall not be en-
bellished will shade trees, flowers and
fountains, and provided with rustic
seats on which the poetic nature could
rest and mediate, or the sentimental
lover and sweetheart could recline and
exchange chances, prompted by the ten
derest of emotions, or whisper enchant-
ing words. The younger samples Of the
genus homo shall not meet there and
throw stones at the fountains or into the
basins. Instead of being preserved as
objects of art and natures handlWork
they are to be given over to the Specu-
lator in realty at so much per front
foot, and to be occupied by everyday
style of buildings OF all conceivable
accOmpanimentS to the average dwell
ing fiat or business block.
"The decision of the supreme court in
the case is Oh it's face unanswerable."
remarked all attorney yesterday, ''but
can't see why just as strong opinion,
sustaining the law providing for con-
demnation for park purposes. could not
have been written by the supreme
court" he added.
A gentleman who is interested In the
citv's prosperity and the cultivation Of
CITY adornment, said: 1t seems to me
that the law ought to have been drawn
in a way that would hold water.
The law of 1887 had been declared In
valid; that was sufficient notice to the
board to be careful; but 1t seems that,
with one-half of the board composed OF
lawyers, besides the employment of
Gordon E. Cole at the cost Of 5000 to
draft the bill, the law of 1889 was fall
ure. I don't know what would have
happened ii there had been another law
yer OF two in the case"
The result of the decision has been
discussed among business men more
than the decision itself. There is gem
eral regret that the parks are not 10 De
preserved. Many of them expressed a.
hope that some plan may be devised
whereby they will be yet secured to the
CITY. The only feasible plan now is to
purchase them outright By some this is
deemed advisable. Dis they are dis
tributed throughout parts of the city in
which parks are desirable. The pur-
chase at present is not practicable. be-
cause there are not sufficient funds for
the purpose. City Attorney Holman
said: 1.-The addition of three lines to
the act of 1889 would have been sufi-
Gent to save the law. The clause that
should be added is provision for max
ing the city liable for the full amount OF
the value of the lands to be condemned.
The bonds authorized to be issued not
being sufficient, then the balance to be
a charge upon the city," Mr.. Van
Slyke seemed disappointed over the
failure of the plan to provide the city
with the additional parks. He. has al
wcys taken great pride in seeing that
the city be beautifed, and although not
now connected with the park board he
has an interest in its work.
The parks affected by the decision are
CARPENTER park, of little more than
two acres: Lincoln park, of six aud a
quarter acres; Indian Mound park, of
eight acres, Ridgewood park, of
about eighteen and half acres; Mo
hawk park, of one and three-fourths
acres. and Garfield park, of eleven
acres.
There were bonds issued to pay for
three parks amounting to S225,O00 Be-
sides this amount number OF property
owners were assessed so per cent of the
cost of the parks on the ground of
benefits to property. These sums, as
far as collected. will have to be re-
funded, with interest. Owing to the
iDanciering Of Comptroller Roche,
these funds collected have been SO used
that they are drawing interest, thus saw
ing the city thatm In money. But the