50 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
in the Senate. It became “Senate No. 114.” ‘The report 
was ordered printed at the meeting of February 4, and sev- 
eral thousand copies were distributed throughout the 
county. 
About this time an effort was made to change the bill 
then before the Legislature so as to provide for at least six 
commissioners. Judge Depue favored the change. He was 
advised by letter as to the reasons that led to the naming of 
five commissioners in the bill, as “we were unanimous in 
the conclusion, not only upon our own judgment in view 
of all the circumstances, but also for the reason that experi- 
ence in other places seemed to indicate that a board of five 
commissioners generally gives the best public service and 
results.” The following, under date of February 13, 1895, 
was the reply: 
“My Dear Sir—I received yours of yesterday. I have not 
read the proposed bill. It provides a commission, as I 
understand, the members of which get no compensation. I 
thought the number should be six for these reasons: 
“First, although I hope and expect the commissioners will 
act in unanimity, yet if there is to be a division I thought 
affirmative action by a vote of 4 to 2 preferable to that of 3 
to 2, a bare majority. 
“Second, I thought the northwestern section of the 
county should be represented, say Montclair and that sec- 
tion, when I appointed the original commissioners, and I 
incline to that view with respect to the new commission. 
“T have now written tersely my views. They are mere 
suggestions. I am not tenacious on the subject. I will be 
content to abide by the judgment of the commissioners. 
“Very truly yours, 
“Davip A. DEPUE. 
“To F. W. Kelsey, Esq.” 
REPLY TO JUDGE DEPUE, 
My reply was as follows: 
