A CHAXGE IX THE CUEEEXT 



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knew, without a shadow of doubt, that it certainly never had 

 been the intention in framing that law or the preceding 

 park act, to lodge with the presiding justice of the Essex 

 Circuit of the Supreme Court any power whatever beyond 

 naming the commissioners who were to be entrusted with 

 the park undertaking. With that appointive power securely 

 placed in the court by legislative edict, an officially ex- 

 pressed "wish" in such a matter as the selection also of offi- 

 cers, may, in the absence of counteracting influences or ad- 

 vices, be construed, as it was intended to be and was in this 

 instance construed, to have almost the force of a mandate. 

 The effect of that action has had a great influence in shap- 

 ing the affairs of the Park Commission down to the present 

 time, and was one of the causes that a little later brought a 

 sharp turn in the rapid-flowing current of Essex County 

 park affairs. 



The question as to who should be secretary of the new 

 board was soon determined by the appointment of the 

 former secretary, Alonzo Church. Then came the settlement 

 of two questions, the solution of which practically con- 

 structed a dam across the heretofore straight and smooth 

 course of the park movement, and effectually turned to one 

 side, and almost back upon itself, the current, in an entirely 

 reverse direction from that taken all through the work and 

 life of the first commission. 



These questions, in the order disposed of, were: First, 

 the selection of counsel to the board ; and, second, the policy 

 to be pursued relative to the location and acquirement of the 

 parks in establishing the county park system. 



