334 



even their interest -will be better served by using this land for the 

 erection of fine residences than by retaining it for park purposes, we 

 can readily see why they should be so strenuous to have this money 

 spent, and not saved. The other class is the large body of tax-pay- 

 ing citizens, who think that a great public park ought to be con- 

 structed at the cost and for the benefit of the whole city; and not for 

 the benefit of a mere locality in its neighborhood. 



Incidentally, the land in the vicinity of this park has been greatly 

 increased in value, from its proximity thereto ; but when those who 

 have received this advantage insist upon charging another four mil- 

 lions of dollars upon the tax-payers, in order that their large gains 

 may be swelled to still larger proportions, those who have to pay 

 object. They are willing to spend and to pay what the best interests 

 of the city, as a whole, may require ; but they are not willing to 

 spend more than this for a local, as distinguished from a general pub- 

 lic advantage. 



For these reasons, some of which have been already more fully 

 set forth in the published reports of the Board, the Committee 

 recommend that the offer of Mr. Driggs and his associates be de- 

 clined. 



Dated June 28th, 1869. 



