A CHANGE IN THE CURRENT 73 
knew, without a shadow of doubt, that it certainly never had 
been the intention in framing that law or the preceding 
park act, to lodge with the presiding justice of the Essex 
Circuit of the Supreme Court any power whatever beyond 
naming the commissioners who were to be entrusted with 
the park undertaking. With that appointive power securely 
placed in the court by legislative edict, an officially ex- 
pressed “wish” in such a matter as the selection also of offi- 
cers, may, in the absence of counteracting influences or ad- 
vices, be construed, as it was intended to be and was in this 
instance construed, to have almost the force of a mandate. 
The effect of that action has had a great influence in shap- 
ing the affairs of the Park Commission down to the present 
time, and was one of the causes that a little later brought a 
sharp turn in the rapid-flowing current of Essex County 
park affairs. 
The question as to who should be secretary of the new 
board was soon determined by the appointment of the 
former secretary, Alonzo Church. Then came the settlement 
of two questions, the solution of which practically con- 
structed a dam across the heretofore straight and smooth 
course of the park movement, and effectually turned to one 
side, and almost back upon itself, the current, in an entirely 
reverse direction from that taken all through the work and 
life of the first commission. 
These questions, in the order disposed of, were: First, 
the selection of counsel to the board; and, second, the policy 
to be pursued relative to the location and acquirement of the 
parks in establishing the county park system. 
