CHAPTER II. 



THE FIRST COMMISSION". 



Not many days after the enactment of the park law, as 

 stated in the preceding chapter, I chanced one morning in 

 New York to meet Senator Ketcham, and as we walked 

 together down lower Broadway, after exchanging some con- 

 gratulatory remarks over the success of the park bill in the 

 Legislature, he said to me that he had just seen Judge 

 Depue, and that he understood the appointment of the five 

 commissioners was soon to be made. He then conveyed to 

 me the message, which he said the judge had requested him 

 to give to me, viz., that he (the judge) desired to see me 

 with Cyrus Peck before the appointments were made. He 

 said that he had not asked, and did not know, what object 

 the judge had in mind. 



When I learned, a day or two later, that Mr. Peck had 

 not received any invitation for the conference direct, I 

 wrote to Judge Depue, May 21, 1894, as follows: 



"Senator Ketcham has kindly conveyed to Mr. Cyrus 

 Peck and myself your request for further information on 

 park matters and the suggestion that we meet you in con- 

 ference. Reciprocating the confidence expressed, it will 

 give us pleasure to meet you at such time and place as most 

 agreeable for you to make the appointment." 



The following was the response: 



"11th June, '94. 

 "My Dear Sir — I will be glad to see you and Mr. Peck 

 at the courthouse on Saturday morning, next, at 10 A. M. 



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