THE FISST COMMISSIOK 



2i 



our opinion, I thus stated to the judge, and explained why 

 we believed there were others available who would better fill 

 the requirements of the position. I explained that, in the 

 initial stages of this large undertaking, we believed it of the 

 utmost importance, not only that the members of the com- 

 mission should possess the requisite qualifications as to 

 competency and fitness, but also that the best results would 

 obtain in a small board, as would be the new commission, if 

 men were selected for congenial tastes and similar ideas of 

 public duty. 



In response to the inquiry as to whom we would suggest, 

 two names were mentioned. One, the judge explained, he 

 could not for local reasons consider. The other was that of 

 George W. Bramhall. After listening to the reasons given 

 for Mr. Bramhall's appointment as the fifth commissioner, 

 the judge replied : 



"Well, I do not know Mr. Bramhall. I never met him, 

 but, from what has been said, I am willing to appoint him." 



PARK COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCED. 



He then, from a directory on his desk, made a note of the 

 name. Directly after this incident Mr. Peck and I with- 

 drew. The judge came immediately into court and an- 

 nounced the names of the commissioners as follows: Ed- 

 win W. Jackson, of Belleville ; Cyrus Peck and Stephen J. 

 Meeker, of K'ewark; Frederick W. Kelsey, of Orange; and 

 George W. Bramhall, of South Orange. His remarks in the 

 court were brief. After referring to the application from 

 the Board of Trade committee for the appointment of the 

 commission and to the act authorizing the appointment, he 

 then named the commissioners as stated in the conference, 

 and said : 



"I propose this morning to name the individuals, leaving 

 the actual appointment mitil I understand whether they are 

 willing to serve. There seems to be a great public interest 

 in the subject pro and con, and mainly in favor of it. I 

 h?.ve received a great many letters of advice and I may say 

 that they governed me somewhat in the selection. The com- 



