CHAPTER IV. 



A CHAXGE IX THE CUEEEXT. 



As the rivulet becomes a stream, and the stream "broadens 

 into the river, the current moves on nntil the course is 

 changed, or completely reversed. So the m_ovement for the 

 Essex County parks, from a small beginning, rapidly 

 widened and deepened on its course, and although not di- 

 rectly obstructed, the current became entirely changed by 

 the appointment of the second commission on April 18, 

 1895. 



This commission then had everything a public board 

 could possibly have in its favor : An extremely liberal char- 

 ter, conferring ample authorit}^ approved by almost unani- 

 mous action of the Legislature and by a large majority vote 

 of the people of the county as well; a generous appropria- 

 tion ; and more, the good will and confidence of its constit- 

 uency and the cordial support of public opinion throughout 

 the State. 



While the plans of the first commission were, during the 

 early part of the year, maturing, the favorable comments 

 and commendatory articles in the local papers were reflected 

 in the press of other cities. The Xew York Tribune, Times, 

 World, and Evening Post all had a good word for the Essex 

 parks, during the month of January of that year, and be- 

 fore the new commission was appointed, had given a resume 

 of the movement and of the friendly support extended it. 



The Tribune of April 8, 1895, under the caption "A Fine 

 Park S3^stem,^^ dilated at length on the su.bject, favorable 

 alike to the report and the bill to be voted on the following 

 day. An editorial in the same paper gave an interesting ac- 

 count of "A G-reat Park Project in Few Jersey described 



57 



