New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-14
LAWS AFFECTING CITY INTERESTS.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE INSANE
TRANSIT ACROSS THE PARK-THE
PARADE GROUND.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE INSANE
TRANSIT ACROSS THE PARK-THE
PARADE GROUND.
The Governor signed several bills yesterday afectln
New-York City which are Of great interest TO 1t
citizens. Among them are two measures which wer
recommended by the Advisory Committee which Mayo
Grant appointed early In the year to consider Tn
condition OF the insane In the cltys charge-the bill
providing for the purchase Of Wards Island by IN
city and that appropraung 100000 to provide al
ditinal facilities for insane pnupeIs. Inc commis
sion was made up Of Elbridge +. Gerry. chairman
ex-MayOr Franklin Edison. eXMins;er oscar .. suaus
President Z. p. Barker OF the Tax Department, anc
Commissioner William Lumnus, OF the Board OF Educa
uon.
President Barker told Tribune reporter yesterday
that he had just received telegram from president
II. II. Porter. OF the Charities Department VINO was
at Albany, saying that both these Important DIS haa
the Governors approval.
"Tbere has been n great deal OF opposition to these
bills from certain quarters Mr. Barker coh'ihued'
and President Porter has rendered prasewofthy SER
vice at Albany in aid OF their enactment lie gave
the commission constant assistance during It's DELHI
erations and knew exactly what he was about when
he urged the passage and approval Of these acts
what OF the bill which authorizes the purchase Of
Wards Island by tho city"
This land Is the joint property OF the CITY ana
the state. The easterly half the city uses Tor tho
OF It's insane paupers the westerly hall the State
latter part bought by the Emigration commits
soners with the head money they received from steam
ship companies and continued to this money As
maintenance fund until the law under which II was
collected declared unconstitutional After that
when they wanted money they borrowed 1t or
got the State 10 advance 1t. They borrowed
100000 from the EmIgrant savings Bank fifteen
Years ago by means OF mortgage Oh their end
OF the island and were still borrowing with this
land rs security until the United States
authorities took possession OF immigration matters
Besides these debts the Commissioners owe money 10
different counties, New York among them, for the care
OF their paupcr immigrants Under the act Just
approved by the the purchase OF the States
interest in Wards Island is not TO cost the city over
81, COO The debts incurred and the mortgage
given by the State Commissioners of Emigration must
first be paid What then remains OF the 81 ,OO0,-
600 after lquidang these claims will be paid TO the
State. understand that some Of the steamship COM
panes expect to get back the head money they paid
during the period before the law requiring Its pay
ment was annued by the supreme Court
What the principal features of the other newly
enacted measured
This act is essential to the proper OF the
inmates OF Institutions, and also urgently
recommended by the advisory committee. 1t authorizes
the city to eXperd not exceeding 100000 in buying
additional land and putting up necessary buildings on
the ctys farm at Central Isip These added facilities
will result In removing the surplus inmates from the
0vercrOwded buildings Wards Island which strnCt |
ures will be enlarged and properly equipped. 1t viii
also remove all the insane from llars Island and
all the lunaiics BlackwellS Island where they
now mixei up with paupers and prisoners and take
them TO Wards Island Central 1sip. The plan de-
vised Is to make Wards Island the receiving depot
for all the insane. Here suitable buildings will be
erected for the superintendent and his I'm
mediate stan. Acute and durable will be
kept there for treatment such they ought to have
incurabes and harmless patients Will be cared for at
Central Isip. The changes In view will work
revolution in the care and treatment Of the INDECENT
insane. The cause OF humanity Will be vastly bone
fitted by the passage of these two bills"
Another bill which attracted much attention al
Albany and was many times amended in both Houses
before 1t reached the Governor, was signed by him
yesterday. This Mr.. Connely'S bill providing
for the speedy transportation Of persons across
public parks In the cities Of this State. 1t
Is general law, but its effect is to
thoize the Park Commissioners to connect |
the Central Park transverse surface railway with
other surface railways In this city, with railways
which hereafter may be built 1t authorizes the
Idrk Commissioners TO contract In the nlmc OF the
city With any persons corporations for the con-
structon Of such connecting roads and for the equip
ment and running OF them, with or without public
advertisement. the forms and conditions, including the
rates of fare and the compensation to be paid The
city, together with the rules regulations and require
mcnts, to be such as the Park Commissioners may
from time TO time establish and impose
But Eighty sixth-s. west Of Eghthave. is expressly
exempt from the operation Of this bill.
The consent of 0ne-haH the property bound
ing the Park is made we'll that of the
city authorities. But In the consent OF the prop
erty-Owners cannot be obtained the Supreme Court
may appoint three commissioners who SHALL after
hearing all interested parties, determine whether the
proposed rOaa ought to be constructed. and their de
termination. Confirmed BY the court may be taken in
lieu of the property owners consent.
The Park Board under this act has full power TO
build the road contract with others TO build it, the
ing Fund Commissioners approve, and the road may be
operated by animal cable power. II built by the
city, the Controller and Sinking Fund Commissioners
may Issue bonds at not over cent interest TO pay
The details OF the act given taken from copy in
the office Of the Corporation Counsel which Assistant
Corporation Counsel Bandy said yesterday he believed
presented the measure as 1t went to the Governor.
Fund, which the Governor approved yesterday directs
the payment into the fund of all fines imposed upon
members Of the force and all money derived from sick
leaves and leaves OF absence from sales Of lost
from the sale Of the produce Of the parks secretary
Burns said yesterday that II was estimated that the
fund SO raised would reach from $4,000 TO $4,000
year.
Another bill also relating to the Park Depar tment
authorizes the expenditure Of 100000 to improve
the parade ground In Van COurtlandt Park. Tile
of 800 600 has already been used TO put Van Court
andt Park In suitable condition for military purposes.
Plans will now be prepared for further Improvement
but IL Is probable that before they are settled upon
they will be submitted to General Louis Fitzgerald.
commanding the First Brigade, and the work con-
templated will be done in accordance with the views
Of the General and his officers