The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-04-16

ALL ASK FOR THE PARK
Lafayette Citizens Associ-
alton Urges the Governor
to Sign MI. Murphy's
Bill.
PETITIONS SIGSEDBY 1900 RESIDENTS
Delegation of Volunteers Will
Argue the Matter Before
Mr.. Voorhees,.
PETITIONS SIGNEDBY 1900 RESIDENTS

A mass meeting was called by the La
fayette Citizens Association last evening
for the purpose of considering the best
way to go about the matter relative to
the proposed Lafayette Park. The bill
which is to give the city power to issue
bonds to the extent of 500, COO for parks
is now in the hands of the Governor.
There was a fair attendance in spite
of. the Indictment weather n all present
took an interest in the meeting. In the
absence of the president, Captain Barker
was called upon to fill the chair. He
stated the purpose of the meeting and
called for opinions as to the best way
to so about the matter. Mr.. Barker said
that at the last meeting a committee had
been appointed to prepare a number or
petitions and circulate them throughout
the city. This had been done and that
between 200 and 1900 names had been
secured. The petitions had been sent to
Trenton to the Governor and were now
being considered by him. Mr.. Barker
said that the ACCESSIBILITY of sending a
delegation TO Trenton to see the Cover
nor would be discussed.
The secretary said that the had written
to the Governor. asking him when it
would be convenient for him to meet a del
egation from the association, but had as
yet received no answer. Mr.. A. A. Camp
bell, one of the men who are working
for HE park, said that ~Assemblylnan Muir
ply had been to see the Governor and to
urge him to sign the bill, and that the
Governor had told Mr.. Murphy that if he
could show him that the people in La
fayette wanted a park he would sign the
bill. Commissioner Hauck was called upon
TO give his view on the matter He said
that the Street and Water Board had sent
a petition to Governor voorhees, asking
him to sign the bill. The petition he said
had been signed by all of the members
of the Board. Mr.. Hauck said that the
whole Board had thought of going down
to Trenton to see the Governor about the
bill. but that on second thought it was
decided not TO, as it would NOT look well.
Il think that the idea of sending a dele
cation TO see the Governor on the matter
is a good one he said, San l think
the result would be satisfactory"
EMr. John D.. Erricson then spoke. He
zsafd:-.It seems strange that the people
have to band themselves together to get
\ park. I think it is all wrong that we
should work night and day for this bill,
fdr it is not a political measure. | do
non believe the Governor Is holding back
foH more signatures, but there is some
socket power that is opposing it. If we
let This opportunity go by to secure a
par.a 1t is doubtful if we will ever get
one"
Mr.. Joseph Dickson stated that he
thought tina the 1900 signatures to the
petitions now before the Governor were
enough TO convince any man that the
people wanted a park, Mr.. Campbell then
spoke again ON the subject, saying that
he had heard one or two people speaking
in opposition to the park bill, but those,
he said. were from the eastern part of
Lafayette and the reason they were
opposed to it was that they could not
have a park for themselves. He further
said that it must be remembered that no
dehnit plans had been drawn for the
park and that no one knew where the
park would be situated. The Rev. Mr..
Grabbo also said he thought that the
best way to go about the matter was to
go and see the Governor about it.
A call for volunteers to visit Trenton
was made. Al least a dozen members
said that they would go in a delegation to
see the Governor. 1t was finally decided
to Iexte1ldl an invitation to n citizen
who was interested in the park to GO with
the delegation ffurA the association. The
delegation will now await an answer
from the Governor as to just when they
can see him on the matter. Freebooter
Zumbusch stated that the board had
adopted the plans for the new Pacific
avenue bridge, and hat bid would be
Immediately advertised for. A vote of
thanks was then extended to the Street
and Water Board for the work done by
them in the Lafayette section.