St. Paul daily globe., 1893-02-19
4 RIVER-BANK PARK.
The Ramsey and Hennepin
Delegations Confer on a
Great Project.
Informally They Consider a
600-Acre Park Ppopo-
sition.
But Little Hope Expressed
That Early Realization
Is Possible.
A Running Analysis Of the
Proposal in It's Present
Shape.

When a recess was taken by the
house Yesterday, the Ramsey and Hen
nepln delegations met in joint session.
pursuant to a call read early in the ses-
sion, signed by ChAirmen Kelly and
Cole. The meeting was i'll sense
eecret but the matter talked over was
easily understood by inquirers.
Hon. p. Il. Kelly presided, and DR..
Williams, of Ramsey, detailed the sub
tect matter of a bill which may or may
not be presented to this session. The
project embodied in the bill is a grand
one, and appeals to ones sense of the
fitness of things, where the welfare,
comfort, health and happiness Of human
kind is concerned.
The bill referred to contemplates a
magnificent scheme of boulevardlng.
If its provisions are ever adopted 300
acres of land on each side OF the Mis-
sissippi river. 800 in all, will be secured
between the Marshall avenue and Fort
Smelling bridges. This land offers
numerous natural advantages for park
purposes, which, if utilized, would
produce results hardly to be equaled IN
the world. The scheme has been
broached and talked of in other years,
and indorsed by the people unofficially
OH general principles. 1t was even pro-
posed at one time-but that's another
story, as the sage of the Ramsey dele
CATION would say.
Is the plan feasible?
Yes, under some circumstances. No,
II the present conditions are correctly
Rnalyzed. Yes. if any capitalist or
philanthropist, or any combination Of
such, would arrange privately for trans
ferring the land to public use without
DUher cost to the said public than that Of
fitting, care and keep. No, II the peo-
pie Of these two cities should be asked
to issue bonds here and now to accom-
pliSh the purchase and adornment OF
natures layout for mans eSthetlc sense
to feast on and ENJOY.
What would it cost?
The ultimate figures cannot be given.
Advocates of this seemingly practical
dream, which is yet so hard to conceive
in its realization, maintain that $1,000
BOO would achieve their hopes. They
OC0 in round figures. This, OF course,
would leave $500, 600 for laying out and
Rdorning-as a starter. The expense
of maintaiug and in time converting the
tracts into beauty spots of universal
fame would be matter for the future to
decide.
Why should the scheme moi be "a go"
at once?
Well, Just think minute. Many cit
liens of these two municipalities take
the ground, and will not down, that
they are are bonded as heavily as they
can be without deplOrable state Of af-
fairs developing. Set over against the
beauty, fame, attractiveneSS and gen
orally bettering influence of such a
lovely river-bank park the growing Of
the dissatisfied, the kicking of those
who have the power to kick, and the re-
Bistance of those who know how to re-
siSt. You will find, gentle reader, that
the slumbering delights of virgin, unde-
veloped nature cut but little figure
when pitted against the energetic and
Well-directed efforts of aroused object
orS who at present are cutting loose i'll
wild fashion on less prOvocauon.
What did the delegation do?
Nothing practically-a little In the
way Of concession to their sense OF
Williams, of St. Paul, and Mr.. Wyman,
of Minneapolis, were. on suggestion OF
Hon. William ROdger, named as COM
mittee to sound influential and wealthy
residents and property owners. Both
are able, diplomatic and respected gen.
tlemen. They may do much. Again,
little OF nothing may result from their
proposed work.
How would the cost OF the park be
raised?
The bill proposed all issue of de-
benture bonds to the amount needed,
said bonds to run thirty years. Bene-
fits would be assessed on property that
could properly be considered benefited
and would be paid in thirty annual in
stallments. Each city would be eX,
pected to shoulder the cost about
equally. This is held to be simple and
an easy way. But there are men OIL tbs
delegations who openly expressed
doubts as to where purchasers would be
found for the bonds. Others thought
they would be gilt-edged in the es-
timat0n of tinanciers.
What did the delegations think OF
the proposition?
Grand scheme! Admirable idea
Magnificent project! Ideal plan! II
eonSummated would be the croWning
glory of two glorious cities on the his
toric banks Of mighty river! Little
difference of opinion on the romantic
aspects of the case. Much divergence
OF view as to wisdom and practicability
A sort of general consensus of view that
little hope can rightly be entertained al
present Of gamboling in such tree
shaded heaven as fancy pictures at first
thought.
The land is there, an adequate piar
for clearing and dressing it is seemingly
. at hand, advocates stand ready to pleaC
for consummatiOn of a high ideal witt
all the music of golden tongues, to as
sail opponents with all the power O.
persuasion a deeply grounded belief car
incite, to appeal to the taxpayers sense
of the beautiful and harmonious o.
against the tightly clenched hand on tht
buttoned-up pocket. Mayhap public
sentiment, if it could be congealed a!
needed, would be found heaviest Oh the
side Of o-ahead-and-do-
Then what's lacking?
Where's the man can say? You lister
to glowing word pictures of the scenes
that could be brought into being: of the
Joy and health and happiness possible
to jaded humanity amid grand ant
graceful surroundings, and you are al
most persuaded there is no other view
But lust then the man of affairs, VIII
knows the world and its ways, in wild
sphere or narrow limits, forces you bacl
into the stiff point of hard facts, ant
you are almost ready to despair Of you
pleasure giving visions.
T. The unSentimental side of this par
wall is hardest TO get over. You seal