PRELIMINARY WORK COMPLETED 53 
scientiously, if not as earnestly, as though they were mem- 
bers of it. 
“Personally, I should have been glad to have concurred in 
your views as to the number of commissioners, save for the 
reasons stated. The board, in again considering the sub- 
ject since the receipt of your letter, were all of the opinion 
it would be better not to recommend that change in the bill. 
“Senator Ketcham conferred with other of the members, 
and, I think, also concurred in this view. We are indebted 
to him for his good counsel and active interest, and he will 
no doubt talk with you freely about the matter. 
“His approval of the suggestion of the original plan, 
briefly stated in the enclosed letter of April 16th last, had 
much to do with bringing about the present law, which was 
drawn in accordance with that plan by Mr. A. Q. Keasbey 
and myself. 
“As the points mentioned in your letter of the 13th inst. 
have an important bearing on the new bill, I have written 
more at length than I otherwise should. 
“Respectfully and truly yours, 
“FreD. W. KELsEy.” 
There was apparently official anxiety in certain quarters, 
at least in Newark, on this question. The evening of March 
4, 1895, a well-attended delegation of Newark officials met 
at Trenton, and agreed upon the form of a bill to amend the 
park bill, so as to provide for eight commissioners. The 
Mayors of Newark and of Orange and a representative of 
East Orange—all Republicans—were to be included. The 
other five members, according to the proposed amendment, 
were to be selected from Newark. Alderman William 
Stainsby, Chandler W. Riker, who was then city counsel of 
Newark, and others present at the conference favored the 
change. On March 7, Mr. Riker appeared officially before 
the commission and pleaded with much earnestness that the 
board should consent to the change. That view did not pre- - 
vail. The scheme, which at the outset would give the park 
board a political complexion, was not generally approved, 
