CHAPTER II. 
THE FIRST COMMISSION. 
Not many days after the enactment of the park law, as 
stated in the preceding chapter, I chanced one morning in 
New York to meet Senator Ketcham, and as we walked 
together down lower Broadway, after exchanging some con- 
gratulatory remarks over the success of the park bill in the 
Legislature, he said to me that he had just seen Judge 
Depue, and that he understood the appointment of the five 
commissioners was soon to be made. He then conveyed to 
me the message, which he said the judge had requested him 
to give to me, viz., that he (the judge) desired to see me 
with Cyrus Peck before the appointments were made. He 
said that he had not asked, and did not know, what object 
the judge had in mind. 
When I learned, a day or two later, that Mr. Peck had 
not received any invitation for the conference direct, I 
wrote to Judge Depue, May 21, 1894, as follows: 
“Senator Ketcham has kindly conveyed to Mr. Cyrus 
Peck and myself your request for further information on 
park matters and the suggestion that we meet you in con- 
ference. Reciprocating the confidence expressed, it will 
give us pleasure to meet you at such time and place as most 
agreeable for you to make the appointment.” 
The following was the response: 
“11th June, 794. 
“My Dear Sir—I will be glad to see you and Mr. Peck 
at the courthouse on Saturday morning, next, at 10 A. M. 
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