THE FIRST COMMISSION 29 
favorably to those selected to perform the preliminary work. 
The Newark News editorially, on June 18, 1894, ac- 
credited Judge Depue with having “wisely sought to give 
every locality proper representation.” 
“Not in this country, if in the world,” said the News 
at that time, “is there another place where the eye can look 
upon the dwelling places of so many people as may be seen 
on a clear day from Eagle Rock and other good points of 
observation on the Orange Mountain.” 
“The ease with which the park bill passed the House, 
Senate, and Governor is proof of the wisdom and popularity 
of the measure,” is-the way The Daily Advertiser put it 
in an editorial of June 19; following an editorial of the 
day previous referring in a complimentary way to the per- 
sonnel of the commission and expressing confidence that 
“these men will do their work faithfully and well.” 
At the same time the commissioners were each asked if 
they intended to accept the appointment and for their views 
for publication. Mr. Bramhall said: 
“There should be a series of parks and parkways so de- 
signed that at least a part of them could be reached by walk- 
ing. * * * Within the county there are many excel- 
lent locations for parks.” One of the other commissioners 
referred to “public parks as a common possession in which 
the poor and the rich share, and share alike.” 
On June 23, 1894, Judge Depue made the formal an- 
nouncement of the commission’s appointment in a brief 
statement, again referring to the action of the Board of 
Trade committees, and to the act authorizing the appoint- 
ment; and renaming “the commissioners—Messrs. Jackson, 
Peck, Kelsey, Meeker and Bramhall—to be known as the 
Essex County Park Commission, to hold office for the term 
designated in the act, and to execute all the powers, and 
perform all the duties, mentioned in said act.” 
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS. 
The reader may now readily appreciate the favorable con- 
ditions under which the first park commission began the 
discharge of its duty on the organization of the board that 
