CHAPTEE Y. 



QUESTIONS OF POLICY. 



The selection of coimsel to the Park Board was, at the 

 outset, recognized by all the commissioners as a matter of 

 much importance. It was a new proposition, at least in 

 Essex County, for an appointive board to have the right by 

 law to make requisitions for large amounts on an elective 

 board of the same constituency and area of jurisdiction. 

 Such attempts, theretofore, in other places, had created 

 jealousies and litigation. These conditions it was, by all of 

 the members, deemed imperative, if possible, to avoid. 

 There were also many questions, it was known, which would 

 arise as the scheme developed, and which would require the 

 ad^dce and service of an able attorney. To this extent we 

 were all agreed. 



Soon after the organization of the board this subject was 

 taken up. Commissioners Murphy and Shepard were both 

 ardent and decided in their advocacy of Joseph L. Munn. 

 Commissioner Meeker was as decidedly opposed, and favor- 

 ably mentioned Henry Young. Mr. Peck said nothing. I 

 was unprepared to make a decision and asked that the ques- 

 tion go over. The matter was again brought up at the fol- 

 lowing meeting. Messrs. Murphy and Shepard were insis- 

 tent for Mr. Munn's appointment. Mr. Meeker and myself 

 objected. There was a prospective issue, for it was mani- 

 fest that those favoring Mr. Munn's appointment were de- 

 termined it should be made. The points as then stated in 

 his favor were mainly that his knowledge of, and position 

 as counsel with, the Board of Freeholders would be of as- 

 sistance in establishing and continuing friendly and co- 



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