New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-13

Borden Wimot and Park Commissioner WILCOX
were among the other speakers. ali Of whom paid
tribute 10 Mr.. Clark's personality and career.
On behalf of the association Mr.. Clark was pre-
sented with a large album containing views Illus
trating the inception and progress Of the assoeia
ton.
The object of Mr.. Clark's remarks was to show
that Tweed had no right to the credit recently
given him of initiating several Of the citys fore
most improvements Referring to a recent article
praising Tweed in Town Topics he said:
know pretty thoroughly the history Of the West
End and 1 want TO say that Twees never planned
waited til the law was passed and the project
under way, and then was ready TO jump on and
get what he could out or II Tor himself
Mr. Clark declared that the Boulevard. River
side Drive and Norningside Park We're brought
into existence mainly through the efforts of An
drew II. Green and William r. Martin The bill
for widening and Strengthening Broadway he said
was brought about by Charlie Johnson who en-
ployed lawyer for $1,000 lobbyist for the meas
Mr. Clark told this story of the first inception
of Central Park:
It is a story the general public doesn't know very
We'll Daniel E Sckles. on his return from The
Hague, where he was consul, was made State Sen
ator He proposed bill providing for the appoint
This was opposed by many wealthy citizens and it
was declared that no judge in the city would give
Senator sckles then took another tack. He sent
thousand New-Yori1 lawyers. asking him to assign
extra judge 10 hold court in this city The Gov
suggested Judge Harris. Of Albany he consented to
the measure, provided Judge Harris should be will
ing He felt sure that the judge would not comply.
Then the Senator went to Judge Harriss home
and had talk with Mrs. Harris and her daughters
He held out an alurtng picture of possible round
Of social pleasures, and easily won them over to
plead his cause with the judge Senator Sickles
then drove over 10 Schoharie. where Judge Harris
was holding court, and put the proposition before
him. carefully keeping silent about his main OBJ
1ect the park measure, and telling him how anx-
ious his family was TO make the move. He also
assured him that he being talked of for Gov
ernor and possibly United States Senator, and said
that he ought TO move to New-York and strength
his position among politicians there.
Well Judge Harris after some protest
Then Corporation Counsel Dillon brought the re-
port before the judge for confirmation Thirty or
forty lawyers opposed it, and it took several days
70 complete the hearing. 1 shall never forget Dill
Ions closing words Sign this report he said
and old age and pratting childhood win thank
you" Afterward Judge Harris said that he would
not have come 10 New-YOrk had he known Sickless
purpose in getting him there.
The funny part of it was that, though the women
of Judge Harrs's family received desirable invita-
lions without number. the judge learned that they
all came from the lawyers opposed to the park re-
port and refused every one Of them. So Mrs Harris
and the girls did not get their gay social time
after all.