90 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
directly affected, after the loan has been made, the confi- 
dence reposed and powers conferred, based upon these state- 
ments? 
“Surely there was nothing in the report that indicated 
there was the remotest thought or intention of adopting 
a piecemeal, sectional policy. On the contrary, every 
statement and inference was that a ‘system’ of parks was to 
be created; that they were to be laid out on the general 
plans as outlined in the report, for the good of the whole 
county, free from local entrammelments. 
“Tf this view be the correct one, it seems to me that it is 
incumbent upon our board to change its policy, and instruct 
our architects to at once proceed and lay out a comprehen- 
sive plan for the county before we decide upon any other 
large areas, besides the Branch Brook tract, as a starting 
point already agreed upon. 
“You will recollect I suggested to you this plan soon 
after the organization of the present commission. It has 
been my conviction from the first that it was the proper 
way, and, indeed, the only way, that we could make effective 
progress and lay out a system that would meet the obliga- 
tions entered into with the public on the acceptance of our 
statement and charter, or that would avert adverse criticism 
and keep the work of the commission on broad lines, ac- 
ceptable to the people of the county and the State. 
“T have not more strongly advocated this plan before 
because I have deferred to the feelings and judgment of the 
other members of the commission who, I felt, would, sooner 
or later, from their own convictions, arrive at the same 
conclusion. Very truly yours, 
“FREDERICK W. Kesey.” 
The reasons why it seemed desirable to carry out the 
policy of the first commission, as above indicated, and many 
others, had been repeatedly stated at the board meetings, 
where, as I have already mentioned, the discussions, al- 
though earnest, were always in good nature. Believing 
that there was a vital principle invelved, T alse wrote Com- 
