WEST ROXBUKY PARK. 63 



while the aggregate taxes upon the increased vakiation, 

 during the same period amounted to $27,862,839. 



A comparison of the cost and interest thereon of 

 Central Park, with the increase in valuation of the three 

 wards in which it is situated, as before shown, is an in- 

 teresting study, because of the remarkable increase in 

 the valuations from the year 1856, $26,'129,565, and the 

 gradual increase until 1873, when it reached the enor- 

 mous sum of $236,081,515, or nearly ten hundred per 

 cent., while the taxes followed closely upon the increase, 

 and rose during the fourteen years from $288,685, to 

 $5,241,298. 



The following letter, written by General Horace 

 Binney Sargent, tbi-merly of this city, now residing in 

 Los Angelos, California, shows unequivocally the strong 

 spirit of righteous indignation that animated him in con- 

 demning the unjust treatment he received at the hands 

 of the city of Boston, by the officials in power: 



Los Angelos, Cal., March 21, 1885. 

 Hon. Samuel E. Saavyer: 



Dear Sir : — I have not had the heart to reply to 

 your letter touching the swindle, that I think should be 

 called The West Robbery Park. 



The mere recital of facts is the argument: Ten years 

 ago, or more, the city of Boston taxed my Ibrty acres, 

 that front nearly half a mile on Scaver street and Wal- 

 nut avenue, on a sworn valuation of their own assessors. 

 That sworn valuation was over $200,000, and the Park 

 commissioners asked for a bond at that jate, which I 

 declined to give. I borrowed $85,000 ujjon this estate, 

 giving a mortgage. 



