The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-26
PARK. OR SOMETHING ELSE? /?


Improyement soclsty last evening at
which was again demonstrated the IA
cility with which too emotional persons
NAV be led into tumbling over one
another 10 get after an idea before the
idea has been put to the test of calm con-
sideration and criticism.
The subject for discussion was the lay
out of Exchange Place as an imposing
public park. Architect ALFRED STONE
explained the general plan proposed, Mr..
AMAsA M. EATON contributed his advo-
cacy OF the idea, Mr. p. II. MULHoLLAND
expressed the desira bility OF breathing
places i'm large communities, and about
every body seemed to feel that the tax
payers Of Providence would fall over one
another to create garden OF delight in
the business heart tn city. To tie
sure Mr.. CLARK thought that the tax
payers m lght really snot consent SO readi-
ly as would mte. the enthusiastic expec-
tations of the promoters OF the idea, and
Mr.. HoYT failed to be convinced that the
town would not be more greatly benefited
if the space were devoted TO business pur-
poses. But their influence upon the gather
ing was evidently not great. for by prac-
tigally unanimous vote the park PROPOSE
tion was approved in all its beautiful en-
tirety.
So far as the proposed plan oontem-
plates the building of pc toflice in Ex-
change Place it will hardly meet with
objection. But so far as it is proposed TO
devote all this area to open space we think
that the present movement of public sem
timent that rolled up 20 finely at the
nesting last evening will run up against
snag before any active steps are taken
in the matter.
The beauty OF the plan proposed Is nn-
questioned and, as Mr.. STONE set forth, to
devote the space To business purposes
would. "from all artistic points," not be
desirable. Still in this busy world there
is n certain artistic delight about stately
pile of stone devoted to trade or COM
merce and with the beautiful waste space
Of Exchange Place reclaimed to accom-
modate the rapidly growing business OF
the town there would be what seems to
us rather more wholesome artistic sat
isfaction than would be afforded by max
ing grand plaza to cut off the chief retail
business section of the city from the
transportation plant Rising from the
north of the new depot is to be the ex-
tensive Capitol Park, an abundant
"breathing spot" adorned with the new
State House, the new Normal school and
trees, and maybe statuary, making mag
nificent entrance for the city. The busi-
ness of the town win never cross that
park and ii is not likely to demand that
space. On the south side, however, where
is already congested the trade of Provi-
dence, the way TO business ought to be
open right up to the doors of the depot.
1t isn't altogether because the space is
too valuable to be reserved for park, so
much as it is that a park is neither neces-
sary nor desirable In this particular place.
No breathing space" is needed, but
rather elbow room for the crowding busi-
ness OF the town must be had.
We doubt II the beauties Of the park
scheme will strike the eyes OF the busi'
ness men OF this town SO winningly as
they do the Blackstone Improvement
society, thanks to their eloquent presen-
tation by our artistic and public-spirited
fellow citizens, Mr.. STONE, Mr. EATON
and Mr.. MuLHoLLAND.