64 riEST COUiSTTY PAEK SYSTEM 



per cent. It is obvious that it was the requirements of 

 this great city whicli was the main object in establishing 

 a system of public parks. It is apparent that a considera- 

 tion of what the city of iSTewark requires^ beyond the ques- 

 tion of ta:sation, was a consideration which influenced the 

 ^ establishment of this scheme to the extent and of the ma-g- 

 nitude that this act provides." 



The court then referred to the assurances on the part of 

 those interested in the government of Xewark that, if 

 iSTewark's interests were not to be provided for, "tliis power 

 of selecting these commissioners would not have been con- 

 ferred upon the court." 



The adverse vote of Xewark was next touched upon, and 

 it was stated by the judge "that a considerable portion of 

 this vote was due to an apprehension that in the appoint- 

 ment of these commissioners Xewark would be subjected to 

 taxation by persons who are not directly interested in the 

 public aSairs of the city. 



COXFIDEXCE IJT THE BOARD. 



^^And I know from representations that have been made 

 to me by gentlemen of influence in this city," continued the 

 court, "that their votes in favor of this law were influenced 

 by their confidence that, in the appointment of these com- 

 missioners, that which was apprehended would be obviated. 



"I departed from my usual rule and asked for the ap- 

 pointment of six commissioners, with a view of the adjust- 

 ment of representation in such a manner as to conserve the 

 interests of the whole count}^ A vote of three to two would 

 not, perhaps, be as safe as one that had the support of four 

 of the commissioners. If I had had the lively appreciation 

 of the condition of things that I have now I should have 

 made the number larger yet, in order that the principle of 

 representation and taxation should be carried out in a more 

 perfect manner than it can by the small number of com- 

 missioners. They are not mere executive ofiicers, but have 

 judicial duties as well. I would not make a government of 

 this city composed of five persons, but toward an adminis- 



