New-York tribune., 1895-02-10
A PECULIAR LEASE.
SINGULAR ACTION OF THE PARK BOARD

TURNING OvEI. CLAREMoNT TO f. $ sToNEs-
TAXING THE STEP JUST BEFORE GOING OFT
or orFrcE-A MOST SUSPICIOUS AND IN
DErENsrBI.E PIECE BUSINESS
r. came out yesterday that the Tammany Hal
,,,rs BOARD two weeks ago last Frlday granted 10
T.. 8 Stokes anothe. five years lease of the Clare
mon, Note! in Riverside Park from April next
when S;okcss present term of five years VIII cN-
,ire Stokes did not think ii wise TO wait un'i 'he
Park board 10 be appointed by Mayor Strong came
into Office 1t was sofer TO run the job through un-
der Tammany Hall auspices. So a special meeting
was called by his obliging friends. Commissioners
('lausen anl Tappen on January -. os'enslDS ~
provide additional apparatus ior the 'asUe N"'''
Aquarium. After the spectators and reporters nav
left the board room the release OF the eia'eio"'
was brought ,,p and. although Stokess lease ha'
over two months TO run. another term OF hVe NedrS
was given him without the usual opportunity 10
competing ho;e-keepers and the public TO put I'll
bids
Five years ago the Commissioners adver'lseu 'o'
sealed proposals and there were four or hVe oooe'
besides Stokes Fine work. on Stokes's part was
then charged by some of the other piuuerS' o"t
the board and Stokes were both with Iamman' anu
he got the lease.
This time the board did not worry ABOUT au.e '
tisements or bids, but merely passed a reso'u'io"
giving Stokes a second five years tease OH 'he
basis OF his former contract. The lease was sisneu
by one Commissioner whose resignation was III 'he
hands OF the Mayor and two others who had onered
10 resign Mr. Stokes's haste in pushing MS matter
through was looked upon as indicating MS WANT
Of confidence IN his chances with Impartial Comms-
sioners who would give all competitors an oppor-
,unjty u bid 1t Is understood that the Excise law
has never been enforced at the Claremont since
Stokes came into possession. which is one reason
why II is such profitable thing.
Good lawyers expressed doubt yesterday as TO
the legality OF the release of five years to Stokes
The failure Of The board TO advertise the lease
was regarded as sufficient for the new PARK
Board, when appointed by Mayor Strong, 10 revoke
Stokess lease and advertise for bidders II TINS
course is not pursued. there seems TO be no DOUBT
that the board can adopt such regulations
for It's management will make 1t desirable Oh
the lessees part TO relinquish It,
The candestine and unseemly haste when char-
acterized the Park Boards action in this matter
met with severe criticism yesterday from all VINO
heard of It, and who aware OF the great value
of the franchise which now passes into +. >
Stokes's hands for another long term without
effort on the part of the Park Board to secure
anything like proper compensation to the city. Inc
Caremont is one Of the finest resorts OF the KIND
on Manhattan Island. 1t is beautifully situated
on the water 'front.' commanding view OF the
Hudson River the west side Of the city and the
New-Jersey shore The landscape as far as the
eye can reach is one OF the most delghtiu anu
magnificent which the Empire State anords.
that there 4. not a more profitable hostelry now
in operation and that Stokes has been apie 10
more than make good out of his receipts al clare
mont the losses which he has sustained i'll o'iei
ventures Ii is generally looked upon as ehor-
mousIy profitable to the lessee who, although the
Park Commissioners are by the terms OF the ease
peruitted 10 regulate the prices charged on MS
bills Of fare, has continued TO extort eNoro'aht
rates from his customers in spite OF frequent pro
tests which have been lodged with the boaro
aginst Stokes's greed
The press and the people Of New-York have had
occasion many times heretofore to note and con-
denim the discreditable and indefensible methods
which have marked the history OF the present Board
OF the 10000 given them last year to provide work work
ssnmsn s e n Tssan sd e hs
have met general 6a 70, ,sr
seosd ase EIs MS 0se re- and hurried action
10 putting thousands OF dollars OF the CITY money
sam S puSe niS .ps rests upon the @
he was once confined in the Tombs along with John
b Srussi ss1pnsl mlder ne James %as fF FISK his
making "a aOaS%sS a Gn okes al who fHe had Enows
OF Fisks intended visit, skulked near the darkened
faw2 i wa un hs hOush 0H he THIRD trial
iured testimony was introduced to prove that he
Viced Wet siokes Of Of murder in the nrsi degree He
twice succeeded M II new M s ana 10
term Of several years In state prison since
many has produced.
This transaction between Stokes and the outgoing
Tammany Park Board recalled the testimony OF
Patrick II. Mccain. Richard Crokers brother-in-
law before the Fassett Committee, when Croker
Connection with the Mount st. Vincent restaurant
now McSown's Pass Tavern. in Central PARK NC
Cam swore that he got the lease of the hotel on
October 10 1855. through Mr., Croker's arrsngement
The restaurant had been built by order OF John
Kelly Mccain said. for Cookers bereft. VINO was
10 have as a partner man named Sauer. The ldt-
ter having been killed before the place was READY
for occupancy. Croker got another partner, one
Conkline. McCann bought Croker d Conklng out
for s.. 900 but afterward Mccain and Croker had
falling out Croker used his influence to prevent
Mccain getting a renewal of the lease. Ciabe case
secured Ii at the rate McCann had been pay
ing per the gross receipts. =,
When Croker was called 10 the witnesS-stdEu ~, II,
admitted that he got the lease or the Mount
St Vincent restaurant through John Kellys in
fiuence, a year before the building was ready ana
gave a half interest to Conkling the agreement
by the latter that he should furnish and mt II up
When Croker became Fire Commissioner he trans
ferred his interest TO Mccann. on CONDITION nat ne
give Conkling 5000 for his expenditures McCahh
testified that he had given large sums oi mSney S,
10 MIR Croker during his occupancy of the hotel
and had furnished the Crokers with large GUAM
tity of provisions. The present Park Conuiissipn-
ers seem to have the same ideas about using the
citys property prevailed among ne CroKers'