New-York tribune., 1891-05-06

GREAT PROJECT READY FOR ACIIoN'
The bill to establish Botanical Garden IN
Bronx Park was signed by the Governor week
ago. and that excellent enterprise is now enter
inc upon its first stage of practical development.
The list OF incorporators includes the names OF
many conspicuous. sagacious and liberal citizens,
the conditions surrounding the project are
sensible and helpful considerable amount OF
public interest has already been aroused TO sup
mort the enthusiasm and energy OF those most
closely identified with the movement and the
outlook is favorable in all ways. The TRIBUNE
has repeatedly commended the undertaking, and
is desrous of aiding it at every step.
The first essential is fund of S25O,O0O.
Until that sum has been raised the Park Com
mssorcrs cannot set apart site for the Gar
den in Bronx Park nor the city issue bonds
for the construction of the needful Dulidlngs'
This fund must be raised within five years, ana
II oncbt to be raised without difficulty by the
end of the present year. 1t is assumed that inc
incoporators will subscribe literally, but the
burden ought to be made light by SUBDIVISION.
This is a public enterprise. The Gafueh VIII
be devoted to the use and enjoyment OF all the
people, and a large proportion OF the people
should be glad 10 express their interest IN II
practically at the very outset. Like unlVer-
sity. such Botanical Garden as the plans OF
the promoters contemplate and the cledlt OF
this city demands must be OF slow growth. 1t
cannot be created ont of band and for that
reason when once it has been determined upon
its beginning should not be delayed.
Il would be an error and an injury to under
rate The magnitude of this undertaking. TO be
successful in a large way it must be prosecuted
with zeal and loving care. That is the treat
ment under which the Shaw Garden Ill 1T.
Louis attained its honorable place among the
botanical establishments OF the world. Ihe
most serious problem which confronts the pro-
moters is not that of a preliminary fund or OF
buildings and equipment, but the choice OF
director. There may not be more than score
of men in the world fit for that post and if the
right man is not found the history OF the Gar
den will be history of waste ana disappolht-
ment 1t is not too soon to take THIS paramount
necessity into consideration
There is one possible hindrance which, unless
we misread what seems TO be perfectly plain
language. will need the attention OF the next
Legislature. The act of incorporation, in the
clause providing for the construction OF requisite
buildings. contains these words:
And IN. said Board Of Commissioners is thcreupon
ber.bv authorized and directed to construct and equip
within the said grounds allotted. according to plans
approved by them and by said Board OF Managers
sutable fireproof building for such botanical Museu
and IIerbarlum with lecture rooms ana laooraVores
for instruction together with other suitable buildings
Cor the care and culture OF tender other plants ndS
enous or exotic at aggregate cost not eAceeuihs
the animal interest upon the bonds hereinafter autor
iyed TO be issued by the city Of New the use OF
said buildings upon completion to be transferred to SAID
corporation for the purposes stated in this act.
Now. the bonds hereinafter authorized to be
issued" are not to exceed $500, 900 in amount
and are TO bear interest not exceeding per
cont "The annual interest" upon S50O,OOO at
DER cent is S15, 900, and that, so far as we
are able to discover is the amount when the
cost of the Garden buildings is not to exceed
That certainly is not what the act intended, but
that is what it says 1t obviously contemplated
an expenditure for buildings not exceeding
S5OO 900. but what it actually does Is to forbid
their costing more than $4,000, which Is a
manifest absurdity. The explanation OF this
blunder is to be found we suppose, in the TACT
that the phrascology of the bill was changed
With the intention of making it more simple and
with the result of making it botch senator
Cantor,s bill originally provided that the build
ings should be constructed at cost -" not eA-
oeeding sum upon which the annual interest,"
as funded is $4,000" When we called the
Corporation Counsels attention to this point
Yesterday he said that he should advise the
commissioners, when the proper time came that
the act might be construed in accordance with
its obvious intention. II that construction Will
hold. we have no objection; but inaSmuch as
the building fund will not be needed this year,
the Legislature may properly be asked next
winter to make the language Of the act conform
/ "a,