The evening world., 1890-07-21
City Authorities Neglect or Refuse
to Light Up StuyYeSant Park.
Peoples Breathing Place Shut
Up to Save $3.50 a Night.
INDIGNANT East Siders' Protests
Heard by "The Evening World"

why is IL that the city authorities still
refuse to reopen Stuyvesant Park in the
EVENING"
This is the question now being asked by
thousands of the poor jewellers of the east
aide, to whom this beautiful little spot is
almost the only available resort during
the sultry evenings Of midsummer.
More than a year g The EVENING
WORLD, in its eRorts to secure the rights
of the residents OF that part of the city to
the use of the park, made a vigorous and
successful fight in the interests of the
people. !
Up to that time Stuyvesant Park had
been almost from time immemorial locked
M every night at 8 o'clock, and, incred-
ible as it may seem. the people living in
the vicinity had submitted to the outrage,
for such 1t was. with hardly a protest.
Whom The EVENING WORLD took up the
matter last season, however. such a vigor-
GUS pressure of public opinion was
aroused that within a very short time the
authorities were compelled to make pro-
vision for lighting both sides OF the
park, and for the remainder of the Sum-
mer the big iron gates were kept open
until 10 o'clock in the evening.
As a result the park was crowded every
night, and the amount of good that was
ACCOMPLISHED by thus throwing open to
the public another breathing place-in a
locality where it was perhaps more needed
than in n other in this great town-was
incalculnble.
1t was supposed that this arrangement
would be permanent, and assurances were
given at the time that such would be the
case. However, from motives OF econ
omy, as the Gas Commission explain It.
the park was closed at 6 o'clock during
the Winter months. and when the warm
season approached it was learned that
there was no intention of opening the
park again this Summer.
The excuse made was that the electric
lighting companies had formed a Trust to
put up prices and that no contracts had
been made with them by the city. More
over, that as the wires which connected
with the park had been cut, there was
no way or lighting II.
The EVENING WORLD. always active and
alert in anything that concerns the inter
ests of the public, took up the cudgels
again without delay, n as a result the
objection made by the city authorities
was partially overcome, and the eastern
half of the park WINS reopened.
The western half, which is by for the
most attractive and c~ommodious portion
of the park, is still kept in darkness, and
every evening at Z o'clock the people are
driven ont by the police and the big iron
gates closed and locked for the rest of the
night.
II was promised at the time The eastern
halt was opened. in May last, that ar
ranyements would be made for throwing
open the entire park to the public. This
promise has mo- been fulfilled, and now a
storm of indignation has arisen against
those whose negligence or indifference to
public opinion makes them responsible
Tor this breach of faith.
Everybody in the neiGhborhood is
stirred up over the matter. and Rev. DIR.
Rainsford. rector of st. Georges Epis-
copal Church, has come out with an able
aud vigorous protest against the wrong
which is being done to the people of his
thickly populated parish.
The Summer is half over and not q step
has been taken towards making good the
promise which was given nearly three
months age. No wonder the people are
indignant.
The facilities for lighting the western
portion of the park are just the same as
they were last Summer. There are eight
electric lamps in the Enclosure and the
connections by wire have not been in any
way disturbed.
Right across Second avenue. in the east
side of the park. electric lights are glazing
all night long, while the western half s
all in darkness.
That pc rtion of the park, however, i
not by any means go dark as it might be,
for the lamps from the other side of the
avenue give quite sufficient light TO JUS
tify the authorities in opening the park, if
facilities for lighting.
Tue eastern portion OF the park Is now
oyercrowded every evening, and the
benches provided for those who wish TO
sit down and enjoy the cooling breezes
and the fresh green foliage of the trees
and shrubbery, do mo- begin to be sufb-
Gent to accommodate the throngs who
resort there.
II is difficult, if not impossible, TO keep
the crowds from running ever the grassy
lawns, and the police themselves have
not the heart TO forbid them, although
they know it to be u violation of the park
regulations.
Hundreds of longing eyes peer through
the high palings across the way, and see
the cool, shady hooks deserted and the
benches empty. The contrast is q strlk-
ing one. Why should they no have the
use of those walks and these benches
also?
No satisfactory explanation has vet been
given for tins queer state Of affairs,
Sometimes the smaller park is so
rowde that many find it difficult to
suteT at tie gates. La oring men with