New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-25
CITY HALL PARK SAVED.
THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING WILL NOT BE
ERECTED IN IT.
MR., AHEARN'S BILL REPEALING LAST YEARS
ACT PASSES THE SENATE AT ALBANIA
BRISK DEBATE on THE MEASURE.
.BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TKIBUNR1


Albany Feb. o4.-In the Senate tonight. after a
tormy debate. Mr.. Ahearns bill passed requiring
the erection of the proposed municipal building
in New-YOrk outside of the limits of the City Hall
Park The object of this measure is that for which
The Tribune has battlcd earnestly and concerning
which public hearings have been held before inc
Mayor All the Republicans voted for it, and, under
pressure all the Democrats present excepting Coiohel
W. L. Brown and Mr. ROcsch. Mr.. Cantor the
Democratic leader, did his best TO have action post
poned and refrained from voting Oh the maj passage
Of the bill. Colonel Brown, in whose district inc
park is situated, offered the following eApl'"'Nio"
OF his vote:
We ought not to interfere with the CITY OF Nc"
York by any such enactment as this inc Poopie
ought TO be permitted 10 select place e'her pu'".
or private | told Mr.. Aheam that was my hrsl ''l"
most serious objection. II is a mater '''a' '"i'
Senate ought not TO interfere with IN any way sn'p
or form. am not disposal l" '"i'"
that this grand park to WHO" Ho q"
Indies is Of such great Importance TO inc
citizens not of his district. but Of mine nave
observed that for the ten years nave Deeh upon
il and bordering upon it it has been piaeo ioi
loafers and vagabOnds from all sections OF 'he oE
If has hcen of no special use or purpose except 20
that extent There whole rookerles on IL WI"
shoud come down and fine buildings be put up
instead I am not going to say that want the
breathing spots of the people shut up want them
omen and | wish there were more OF them, bnt tihN
old park is there for public buildings and should DO
used for them. This bill is in the interest OF INC
large newspapers fronting upon 1t. Ihey nave
howled against it that their view may not be OBJ
stucted. l am not here as senator in the interest
NJ those tall towers and of any taller ones being
built They talk about it not In the interest OF
Inc people but in their own
"Wen,7 exclaimed Mr. Fassett, ave had TO inter
fere with the city last year when we gave 1t per
mission to build in the park
TO build in the park would be cheaper than 70
buy a site outside protested Mr.. RoeSch
ON that theory it would be cheaper 10 put mp all
public buildings in public parks
But isn't there difference between a park which
has buildings already on it and one which has none
Il recogize a distinction without a difference. The
park that isn't covered with buildings is just as much
a park as that which is. As l remember the press
was almost unanimous in wishing to the park"
Mr. Roesch declared that there " good deal Of
sckly sentimentaity about the matter and limited
that the principal supporters OF the bill were real
estate spectators Vi expect to profit by H. d" The
fact is he added 1.-THE site has already been selected In
the park If this bill is adopted all thar We have
done under tie act Of last year is abrogatcd.'
Why hasn't the building been erected then ~ Mr..
Aheam pertinenlly demanded.
Because Of the hearings and the discussion in tho
papers. / not opposed 10 the bill Itself II IL can
be amended and put better shape. No valid reason
has vet been assigned spite of all the chance given
h~'--
selected
1T seems 10 me- said Mr.. Saxton, that the bin
now is ss clear can be-
IT is a. clear mud retorted Mr.. RoeSch
MI Cantor began his attack on the bill by asking
whether Mayor Grant and the city authorities had
been heard upOu IL. d" No. replied Mt AheaIu put
we gave Them d long time and they knew all about
me bill NJ. Cantor protested that
ought 10 be laid over. Mr. Ahetrn mntcd
hat Mr.. Cantor himself had had ample
time 10 examine and that II he had neglected % o.
50 alone responsible.
e. Are you IN favor OF having the building In the
CITY Hall PaIkl7 Mr. Fassett asked Mr.. Cantor.
. have not made any suoh statement upon the
floor
l. ask if YOU are in favor Of it =
Nj. Cantor repeated his eVdSiNe reply.
J. il impossible for NOl to give "A direct answer
IL j. not impossible but propose to do SO later
Nr. Cantor, however. COntrlved 10 dodge the Issue
throughout the dcba'r, and finally explained that ne
didn't want 70 interfere with tie city authorities.
Then Mr.. Ahcarn made pointed statement. Mt
Cantor DE sad. may represent the upper sections
Df the city. but MY constituents have not breathing
place, enough I'm summer time. the river front beng
occupicd with the wharve7 Of corporations. II l.
In their interest that ! seek 10 save the park
Nr. Cantcr enforced his plea for delay IN the
Interest Of tie city authorities with the assertion
Nat If they had been listened to in another matter
no Worlds Fair would not have gone L. Chicago
Tie bill goes TO the Assembly for concurrence.