The Jersey City news., 1902-11-10
PARK BOARD
APPOINTMENTS
Names Judge Blair Is Sup
posed to Have Under
Consideration.
DR.. M'GIbL MENTIONED
Ex- Judge Lawrence and A. s.
Baldwin Spoken of-Pow-
ers Of the Hudson Com
mission.
DR.. M'GILL MENTIONED

Who will compose the Park Commis-
aion, which must be appointed by Judge
Blair of the Court of Common Pleas, be-
fore December 1 next. the day fixed by
Assembiyman Tenants bill of last viii
ter for the organization of the Board
which is to lay out system OF public
parks in this country?
This question is at present interesting
politicians of both parties, because by the
provisions of the act adopted by the cleo
tors at the polls on Tuesday last the
Commission must consist of two Demo-
Gratis and two Republicans.
While it is generally conceded that the
appointees to represent the Republican
party will be strict organization men,
there is no little speculation as to
whether the Court in naming the two
DenlocrEtic Commissioners will consult
the wishes of the leaders of that party.
Although the appointive power is vest
ed absolutely in Judge Blair it is thought,
because of the Importance Of the Com
mission aad the vast amount of money 1t
wiz have control of, that he will consult
EQPF2LtG OOurt JuStlCe SOAius uSAoAS
making known his selections. In this
event it is believed that citizens not
closely identified with either party organi-
zation may be appointed.
MEN TALKED OF.
In some quarters the impression pre-
walls that E. Rappleye of Jersey City and
possibly Aaron S. Baldwin of Heboken.
Herman Walker of Gutenberg or ex-
Judge David w. Lawrence of Jersey City
may be the Republican Commissioners;
while the names of DIR. John D. McGill
of Jersey City and James g. Morgan of
Union Hill are most frequently mention
ed as possible Democratic appcintees.
Judge Blair himself will not discuss
the subject of his possible appointees,
and says be has not yet read the law on
the matter.
The Park Commission, which will en-
ter on the duties of office three weeks
from today, is to be an independent and
continuous corporate body. The Free
holders will have absolutely no jurisdic-
tion ever its acts, but will simply issue
bonds, and provide for the payment of
the same, as demanded, up to one per
cent. of the total value of all the real
and personal ratables of the county. This
will place about 81 ,8OO.0 600 at the dispo-
sal of the Commissioners.
BOARDS POWER.
The Commissioners shall be appointed
for one, two, three and four years re-
spectIvely, and at the expiration of their
terms their successors shall be named
for full terms of four years. Their COM
pensation is Exed at 81 500 per annum.
They must take an oath to perform faith
fully the duties of their office, but no
provision is made in the Tenant act to
bond the Commissioners.
A president, iee-persident and treas
urer will be selected, and the Commission
is empowered to appoint clerk and such
other officers and employees as may be
deemed necessary and determine their
duties and compensation. These en-
ployees are removable at the pleasure of
q majority of the Commissioners.
The power to purchase sites for parks,
lay out and improve the same, and to as
sumo control of those now existing in
any municipality of the County is vested
absolutely in the new Commission. Be-
sides they are empowered to lay out
boulevards. roadways or parkways to
connect the different parks, or ..open
places for public recreation" or to make
entrances for the same.
RIGHT TO SELL.
Title for property acquired for the pur
poses named is to be in the name of the
Hudson County Park Commission, and
this body has the right to condemn any
land that the owner refuses to accept the
proffered figure for. The Commission
will also assess the amount of benefit de-
rived by adjoining property, and If the
assessment is not paid within six months
st has the right to sell the same at pub
lie auction to the person who will take
said property for the shortest period of
time, not exceeding fifty years, and pay
the full assessment upon it. The orig
inal owner can redeem this land within
the specified time by payment to the
board for the benefit of the purchaser the
amount originally paid by the latter and
any tax or assessment paid by him with
interest at 10 per cent. per annum.
The board, by its corporate name, can
acquire title for any land not sold as
above.
The bonds to be issued by the Free
holders to meet the expenses of the Com
mission are TO run not more than Fifty
years, and bear interest not exceeding
per cent. A sinking fund must be estab-
Hshed by the County governing body to
meet the maturing bonds.
n