WEST ROXBUllY PARK. 33 



property is beginning to feel the inllaence of tlie revival, 

 whicii is showing itself in all business." 



ISTow I would simply like to ask, who are best entitled 

 to the benefits of this revival? the rich city of Boston, 

 or the patient owners of this property? We all know 

 Avhat the honest reply would be. 



I happen to know parties who thought themselves, at 

 first, very fortunate in owning these lands now wanted 

 by the city, hoping thereby, after so long waiting, to be 

 able to realize a fair price for their pi'opcrty; but after 

 many conflicts and sore disappointments, they were 

 driven to dispair by the beggai-ly spirit exhibited, and 

 by the seizure of their property at undervaluations, and 

 then offering a small compensation, leaving some parties 

 largely in debt. 



I know whereof I write, for I have offered in one 

 instance ten cents a foot for the same land the com- 

 missioners have taken at less than four cents a foot, and 

 the party refused to accept my offer. 



Again, a bonafide offer of one hundred thousand dol- 

 lars was made for a parcel of land, which Avas declined; 

 afterwards the assessed valuation was cut down to 

 $12,600, and condemned by the commissioners for park- 

 purposes. Do you not think this sharp practice? I do 

 hope the officials will soon realize the injustice of these 

 acts of confiscation, or that the citizens may be informed, 

 before they indulge in the luxurious enjoyment of parks, 

 how they were obtained. 



Another party was offered four hundred thousand 

 dollars for his estates, which he refused to accept; 

 this property was afterwards cut down to $60,000, and 

 finally the commissioners settled for it at about $80,000, 



