New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-10
TILE NEW PARK BOARD.

Mayor Strong has reached an admirable sohI-
ton OF the question presented TO him by the
four vacancies in the Park Commission. His ap-
pointments announced yesterday afternoon are
all that could have been wished for by persons
interested In the most intelligent guardianship
Of our public pleasure grounds He places the
administration Of the Department Of Parks In
the hands Of men who have broad ideas and
cultivated tastes. and who have a sensitive APP
preciation Of the nature Of public sentiment con-
corning the invioability Of the parks. The clti-
zens may rest assured that their lawns will not
be cut ND for speedways nor their access TO the
good views on the inner side Of the Harlem
drive obstinately resisted with such men in
charge.
In his selection Mayor Strong has evidently
been actuated by considerations Of fitness rather
than partisanship. Ex-Mayor Smith Ely Is a
Democrat Of excellent standing has been long
identified with the affairs OF this city. and his
business experience will be Of great Use to his
colleagues Colonel s. V. X. Cruger is man Of
executive ability and public spirit accustomed
TO dealing with large private and corporate in
terests, and Of sterling integrity which guar
antees the exercise Of the same care and ability
in his conduct Of park business as OF personal
affairs With the growth Of the city uptown
the new parks become daily more important and
there is peculiar fitness in the appointment
of North Side resident TO the Park Board.
Samuel Mcmillan is thoroughly acquainted with
the needs of the section of the city beyond the
Harlem. He will also represent the tendency
toward more liberal provisions for popular
sports in appropriate places. He is an ex-presi-
dent of the New-York Driving Club, and 1t Is
safe TO assume that he will give close attention
TO our still unfinished Speedway. William A.
stiles brings into the Commission what none OF
the other men have, an expert knowledge Of
trees and a deep understanding OF landscape
architecture AS the Editor Of Garden and
Forest he has done valuable service in guard
ing our parks from Dissertation by ignorant Gus
todians He has done perhaps more than any
other one man TO keep them from spoliation.
Each one Of the four Commits 'ioners has his
special talent which supplements those Of his
associates Taken together. the Board appears
to have all The qualities TO insure the proper
treatment Of the parks.
The Commissioners will have the important
duty of selecting president Of the department
from among their own number. Doubtless any
one of the four would adequately fill that office,
but some public considerations, we think point
to the wisdom Of placing Mr.. stiles at the head
OF the administration. In the first place. his
knowledge of parks is not that of an amateur
and one Of the great needs Of our park system
is an administrative authority at once conserva-
tive and cultivated, and not under the necessity
of following blindly outside experts or failing
back on its own well meaning ignorance. one
of our chief troubles in the past has been quite
as much the lack OF trained intelligence In the
mana cement of affairs as Of wilfnl failure to
guard the public interests. Beyond this. after
the lamentable conduct Of the parks under ram
many there is great need Of strengthening pub
lie confidence, and no member OF the Board Is
so well fitted as Mr.. Stiles from his high and
ngenjoyed reputation in this particular nne'
10 assure the public that wisdom and taste as
well as honesty will dominate the new admin
istraton. The Mayor has done his part OF the
work we'll Let the Commission follow his lead
and make the specialist among them their official
head 1t will be following the highest ideal of
municipal reform to put specially trained man
to do this particular work for the city.