EXPERIENCES WITH COUNSEL 15% 
PARK POSSIBILITIES IN ESSEX COUNTY. 
“My imagination was fascinated years ago by a state- 
ment from Llewellyn 8. Haskell as to the possibilities of 
converting Essex County into a world-famous park. The 
present county avenues—radiating from Newark—were a 
part of his plan, and we are indebted to his heroic advocacy 
for the limited success achieved. If he had lived he would 
be the enthusiastic supporter of the present park commis- 
sion. I count it a great honor to be identified with a project 
so noble, and the prospect of its success, in the hands of 
commissioners so high in character and ability, constitutes 
an incentive to all who are identified with the work to give 
to it their best endeavor. To be able, also, to feel that 
cordial relations subsist with the members of the commis- 
sion, makes the work a pleasure, apart from its intrinsic 
interest.” 
What more could one ask as to implied intention, or an 
ideal sentiment in undertaking the work of a new enter- 
prise, than was apparently by this letter expressed? But 
the reality, and what soon afterward followed, was a very 
different matter. At first, and during the early part of the 
summer of 1895, Counsel Munn evinced a disposition to 
fulfil the obligations of his office and thus to vindicate the 
ideal sentiments above quoted. In looking up matters per- 
taining to the bond issue, he was reasonably attentive and 
helpful. In the ordinary legal routine also, there were, at 
first, no noticeable lapses. When, however, the work of the 
legal department began to increase, his care and attention 
to it commenced to decrease in a corresponding and ever 
increasing ratio. 
On the determination of the lines of Branch Brook Park 
in July, 1895, the requirements in condemnation proceed- 
ings and other legal questions were rapidly augmented. 
Aside from the reservoir property in that park, the entire 
area was in city lots. With the desire of the commission to 
obtain possession of all the property at the earliest practi- 
cable date, all the small holdings that could not be pur- 
