152 



FIRST COraTY PARK SYSTEM 



I have examined, were made; but rather a subdued feeling 

 of disappointment and of disapproval permeated more or 

 less the mental atmosphere throughout the county. This 

 sentiment was forcefully expressed in the editorials of the 

 Newark News, January 6 and February 13, 1897, the 

 former referring directly to Commissioner Murphy's state- 

 ment above quoted. 



As these articles then embodied a clear and evidently cor- 

 rect expression on this subject, the salient portions may here 

 be of interest. Under the caption "The Cost of the Parks 

 and the People's Power Over the Outlay" it was stated: 

 "The letter, the spirit and the intent of the law under which 

 the Park Board is acting require that, with the expenditure 

 of $2,500,000, all the parks and parkways which they have 

 the right to establish, shall be completed and turned over to 

 the county of Essex. The commissioners, presumably acting 

 with forethought and good intention, have chosen to, set up 

 a law for themselves by purchasing large tracts of land, to 

 be held for future development, with increased cost to the 

 people. * * * r^i^Q p^p]^ commissioners are going to 

 spend $2,500,000 in the development of a few parks in 

 Newark, and the purchase of certain lands outside. To im- 

 prove these lands very large additional expenditures will be 

 necessary. The present board, or its successors, will prob- 

 ably make an appeal to the Legislature for authority to 

 issue more bonds. If the practice sought to be established 

 by the present board be allowed to stand, and be imitated 

 in the future, the legislative restrictions regarding public 

 expenditures for parks will have no meaning. If the parks 

 of Essex County are going to cost more than $2,500,000, 

 who may say what they are going to cost? Will the total 

 run up to $5,000,000 or $10,000,000 or $20,000,000 



In commenting upon the report of the commission for 

 1896, issued early in Februar)^, 1897, the News, February 

 13, said : "The scheme of parkways is not discussed in the 

 report. The commissioners have not yet determined as to 

 the character and the scope of those great avenues which 

 ere to connect th© various parks, and which are to add new 



