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

found in it, which is likely to continue the C0in-
mission in power for some tn1r 10 cU mroroinrnt
constitutional point raised is such promlhchu
one that il is difficult 10 understand no" Ia"AtI
and a legislator of several years experience could
overlook IT, II only serves 10 Illustrate inc
potency of Timothy j. Campbclls celebrated re-
mark that "a little thing like the CONSTITUTION
should not stand between friends ana the nllnd
obedience to orders which the average laihmahS
Section i of Article of the State Constitution
reads: 800, ,,,iot shall nrovide
that any existing law, or any part thereof, shail
be made or deemed part of SAID ACT, or "hlch
shall enact that any existing law, or any part
thereof, shall be applicable. except py lhser'ihS
In Section . of the laws of 1890, this article
of the Constitution is directly aiitaSonlZ'd, ny
declaring that the condemnation procJeuiS' III,
this bridge shall be had III ACCORDANCE VIII W..
Chapter 400 of the laws of 1883 thc ApueHuct
act The chapter Of the laws OF lSo" 10 Whch
reference is had is not Inserted as the CONSTITUTION
demands The point was raised by Corporation
Counsel Clark recently, when PROCEEDINGS W ejr
hcr1n ia court 10 have confirmed the aWaIu n"uc
by the commissioners The differences over tho
dividing line OF the CheSchrough estate, IL tilc
commissioners had taken Inc anu would nave
led the city into endless series OF cosIi! raw
suits and il was decided that the better policy
would he 70 take the land through condemnation
proceedings aud then let the contes'lhg property
owners fight il out among themselves AT their
own expense This is about the hrSt instance
in all the history of the bridge when desire TO
save money seemed to influence the commissioners
in the slightest degree. Opinions on the point
raised have been filed by the Corporation CoufI-
sci, by Mr. IIotchliiss lawyer representing me
property owners and by Mslcom W. Nlyen; the
secrctory Of the Bridge Commission, with Judge
Andrews Of the supreme C0nrt. ,
While the lawyers are arguing points IN the
law the bridge rmanS without . guardian. u
iii fine structure has been turned over to the fark
Dcportmcnt II remains in the eyes OF the law an
unfinished piece Of work The commissioners could
tomorrow close Il up and prevent traVel across
"a People WHO usN tIe bridge now do 5"
ai their own risk and although there Is
probably no immediate dnnger OF us tnihphhl
down n sim nj the west entrance informs pcope
thot they usc the bridge at their own peril
Tho Commission has no power to spend one GEM
of money for maintenance. and should the IcsaI
fgbt last many years. when the Park Depart
mcnt is finally charged with its keeping. mass
Of misty iron and stone will be turned over To H.
The commissioners have kindly allowed the pun
lie 70 use the bridge. however. ana Tor ms
favor every one should feel dcVoutly thankful
The entire cost Of the structure up to tins
time exclusive of Office expenses, mas b"eI
- & a. Sol O. With the office expenses added
local costs paid. more land purchased and tho
work of grading and tcrracing completed. New
York Civ will have al expensive luNury, LOT
which not much use will be found Tor many
years 10 come other than rs n promenade.