New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-03


which the commissioners We're acting, but he
was unsuccessful. The friends OF the ScHciie
rallied around it and were able 20 defeat Mr.
IIamltons bill. In the meantime Mayor Grace
had met with a change Of heart and either be-
came convinced that the bridge was an excellent
thing or that it was not such great imposition
after all
40 ESCAPE FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
The men who framed the law were slrcwd
enough to SEQ 10 it that there was no loopholc
through which the city could escape.
Through investigation and lawsuits tie
commissioners passed, but still chung tcnaclonsly
| to their Offices neither threats abuse being
| able To move them. Several attempts have been
| made 10 get them out Of office, but they invo
| all been upavailiug. although the bridge has
| been completed for over year now. " was
! opened 10 the public in May, 1880, but still re-
mains III the hands of the commissioners, who are
holding their places for other ostcnsihle reason
than TINT some grading and hlling-in work about
the two approaches 10 the structure have yet %
| lie done This work naturally belongs I" the
Park Department, which has entire charge OF all
| bridges and approaches. Bat the commissioners
| have fought tooth and nail against turning The
! structure over to the Departments which IS we'll
I equipped with men, and insist on doinr this work
/ 10 pay.
In lsSS when the structure nearing com
! plcton, a bill appeared in Albany giving the
| commissioners the power 10 arrange privately
with the owners Of property al each entnnr"
| for the purchase of enough land Oh which 10
| construct entrances suitable u the grandeur Of
| the bridge. This an unusunl way III when
10 acquire lands for public purposes But rs
secrecy had been the rc-ning custom of the com
! mis,oncIs when the expenditure Of the people >
! money was concerned, the commissioners desired
~ continue in that manner until the bridge had
been completed When private lands are needed
for any public purpose, the usual custom is 10
/ have commissioners Of appraisal appointed to
value the land desired, and the courts may de
tcrnjne upon the us,icc or injustice of the vala-
alton. An opportunity is also granted to The
taxpayers under such conditions 10 appear and
protest if they 80 desire, against extravo7'nt ap-
praisas for which they have 10 poy. The plan
| Of secrecy which had been adopted by the bridge
commissioners would have been interrupted If the
| usual custom had been followed, 50 they asked
| permission 10 buy land az private sale
| The pleas which the commissioners made 10
| the LEGISLATURE in support Of the bill placed the
| executor of the Ogden estate III the posi-
non of man greatly incenscd because 800
| feet Of valuable land was wanted for bridge APP
breaches He was held up to the gaze of Tie
| legislators as a man of great power, VINO would
fght the commissioners III the courts for every
inch of the way II might be- wears before TINS
man could be beaten, they are credited with
| saving and only let rs deal with TINS monster
onjetly in the secrecy Of his Office, and we can
| make a bargain with him. lhey dld deal WIN
the man IN his law office and pnid the Ognen
estate Sis 900 for 300 feet Of rocky ana
nractictlly ValuelcSs hillside. There has been not
the slightest hint or suggestion that the executor
Of the estate intended 10 appeal frpm the com
mlss0ners valuation 10 the courts. Inc Only eH'
cu.e which the commissioners made for asking
for this land. 30 feet either side OF the Drd2t
at each entrance, was 10 Keep irhlt-s'ahhs' pea
| nut-stands and bootblacKs thdu distance """S
from II. .
being worked upon by a large gang OF men Wh,
| are blasting and drilling the rocks, OF winch mos
| of il is composed, preparatory 10 laying II ou
in accordance with the plans in the commits
sioners hands. The plans provide Tor a serie I
| of large terraces, on which Will be Walks ahf
drives and hower-heds.
In dealing with the property owners on the ives
side Of the river, the commissioners were no, ;,
| successful as they in striking bargain VIII
the executor of the Ogden estate, and thrN nave
gotten into legal sqnabblc, the settlement o
which may extend their term for som" time u
| had hopes Of getting through their work b,
January next.
CHEAPER THAN THE EAST SIDE
Most Of the land on the West Side of the river
which the commissioners want, belongs 10 tn
! Chesebrough estate. The price fixed for II wa
81 900 SOS, 900 less than the amount paid Il
the Ogden estate, although there are no noisl
railroad trains rushing by il constantly. Bu
when the commissioners came 10 turn over th'
money. trouble the dividing line
Other property owners stepped in with the CLAIM
- tina, their land extended into property which tn
o. representatives Of the Chesebrough estate wer
/ to sell 10 the commissioners. 4 bill there
fore prepared by the commissioners, and was sen
10 Albany where il was introduced by Senate
Ives. The bill passed, and became law, bu
!, ar important constitutional objection has beef