34 



residences than by retaining it for Park purposes, avc 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-paying citizens, who 

 think that a great public Park ought to be constructed 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 Avho 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, public 

 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 declined. 



Dated June 28th, 1869. 



