Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-08
PURCHASES OF PARK LOTS
The Investigating Committee
at Last Begins.
A PROFIT IN THE KlRKWOOD PARK
But No Margin in the Wawaset
Lot Figures.


The committee appointed by the Board
Of Park Commissioners to act in con-
junction with the members of City
Council in investigating the purchase of
the park lots at Wawaset and Adams
streets, began the investigation last night
week, after many fruitless attempts
to get the committee together. Mayor
Shortlidge presided and William S.
Lednum, clerk of Council, acted as
secretary. There were present George
w. Bush and George Ii. Bates, the other
members of tho committee; City Coua-
cilmen George O'Neil, James Tyre and
James p Ratledge; City Solicitor George
A. Elliott; William G. Spruance, counsel
for Park Commissioners Dennis j. Men.
ton and William NJ. Candy, who made
the purchase Of the lots, and whose acts
are under Investigation.
The first step taken was the reading
of the resolution passed by the Board of
Park Commissioners, asking for an in
vestigation of the matter of purchasing
the park lots. Mayor Shortlidge said Ii
was incumbent upon him to make few
Introductory remarks, in order that his
position should be regarded in the
proper light by the committee. He was
asked several months ago to sign a GER
tiflcate Of Indebtedness for the purchase
of the lots from William M. Candy and
Dennis j. Mention, but refused to do so
on the ground that the sum exceeded
the amount of the appropriation allowed
by Council for the purchase Of the lots.
Mr.. Candy asked him if he would be
willing to sign the certificate If the sum
in excess Of the appropriation was
deducted. He made no definite reply to
Mr.. Candy at the time, but stated that
there was a suspicion that in the pur-
chase Of park lots some money had been
made. He referred to Klrkwood Park,
and the report that the sum said to have
been made by reason of the purchase
was $4,000. Mr.. Candy replied that he
was sorry to say that such was the case.
At o meeting of the Board of Park
Commissioners he was asked to sign u
certificate of deposit for the money ap-
propriated for the park land between
Brandywine and Wawaset streets and
Adams and Van Buren, streets. The
rumors in connection with Kirkwood
Park prevented him from signing it,
Il anu nc WAS dloO DIGNGhlGu llOul
so because he believed the price was
exorbitant and that the land could have
been secured by the appointment of a
commission of condemnation. He fully
intended to have all purchases investi-
gated, for the truth would hurt no one
who has been honest in the transaction.
William 9. Spruance, counsel for
Messrs. Candy and Mention, said the
duties of the committee were confined
to the purchase of the recent park lots,
and that the joint committee was
clothed with only sufficient authority
under the resolutions to investigate one
purchase, although City Council has
passed resolution to extend the inves-
tlgation TO the purchase Of the Kirk
wood lots. lie thought the proper way
to do was to investigate one purchase at
a time, as fraud in one case does not
| prove fraud at another time.
Mr.. Tyre asked il it was Mr..
Spruance's belief that the committee
could first report on this matter before
beginning the second investigation.
| Mr.. Spruance commended that the
| Park Commissioners were possessed
with only sufficient authority to act in
one case.
Mr.. Ratledge said it was his opinion
that City Councils resolution included
all of the park lands. He SAID the
| public wants full and complete inves
tigation.
MIR. Bates said it was his understand.
ing that but one purchase was to be in.
vestigated, and while all of them should
be Investigated the committee should
act on one at time. This particular
purchase should be investigated because
the public are daily losing interest in it
He moved that the committee proceed
to investigate the Wawaset Park pur
chase.
Mr.. Ratledge said the place to com
mence was at the beginning and the in
vestigation should include all. Mr.
Bush thought it would be better to g
on with the present one and then taxi
up the other purchases later
Mr.. Tyre expressed similar belle
and Mr.. O'Neil wanted TO go on witt
the present purchase.
The motion of Mr.. Bates prevailed.
| William NJ. Candy, president of thu
Board of Park Commissioners, was thu
first witness called. He said that every
thing Mayor Shortlidge had said wa
true, with the exception Of the state
ment that he had said money had beef
made out of Kirkwood Park, as he die
not remember making that statement
He said there were circumstances con
nccted with it that he had regretted
He was willing to have tine matter in
vestigated, however. s....-
In answer to Mayor Shortlidge, MI
Candy said it was true that two peopl
had made $4,000 out of the purchase o
Kirkwood Park, though The transaction
was not dishonest.
The matter came up about the tim
William p. Bancroft gave the city
tract Of park land, and then a meeting
of the commissioners was called to con
slider the advisability of purchasing TIL
two lots adjoining the tract which MI
Bancroft had given to the city gratis
) Finally the law authorizing the pun
chase of the park lots was passed.
Mr.. Candy then took up the Wawase
Park matter. The first plan prepared 70
park roadway passed over these tw
lots. The right of way was secured an
it was deemed advisable by the Board Q
Park Commissioners to buy the LOT
: named. They were purchased by MI
Mention and himself under proms
from City Council that they should b
: purchased for park lands at net cost an
interest. The ordinance allowed $t4,0O
, for the lots. The matter was delayeC
: and when the mayor was asked to sig
the certificate of Indebtedness
amounted to $14,062.
J Mr.. Ratledge desired to know whethe
/. all Of Council or only some of th
; members agreed to purchase the land.
. Mr.. Candy said the conversation wa
+. held with the finance committee, but IL
=. vote of the members was taken. II
Q said that one lot was purchased froi