EXPEDIENCES WITH COUXSEL lot 



PARK POSSIBILITIES IN ESSEX COUNTY. 



^^My imagination was fascinated years ago by a state- 

 ment from Llewellyn S. Haskell as to the possibilities of 

 converting Essex County into a world-famous park. The 

 present county avenues — radiating from Xewark — were a 

 part of his plan, and we are indebted to his heroic advocacy 

 for the limited success achieved. If he had lived he would 

 be the enthusiastic supporter of the present park commis- 

 sion. I count it a great honor to be identified with a project 

 so noble, and the prospect of its success, in the hands of 

 commissioners so high in character and ability, constitutes 

 an incentive to all who are identified with the work to give 

 to it their best endeavor. To be able, also, to feel that 

 cordial relations subsist with the members of the commis- 

 sion, makes the work a pleasure, apart from its intrinsic 

 interest."' 



WTiat more could one ask as to implied intention, or an 

 ideal sentiment in undertaldng the work of a new enter- 

 prise, than was apparently by this letter expressed? But 

 the realit}', and what soon after^^^ard followed, was a very 

 different matter. At first, and during the early part of the 

 summer of 1895, Counsel Munn evinced a disposition to 

 fulfil the obligations of his office and thus to vindicate the 

 ideal sentiments above C[Uoted. In looking up matters per- 

 taining to the bond issue, he was reasonably attentive and 

 helpful. In the ordinary legal routine also, there were, at 

 first, no noticeable lapses. When, however, the work of the 

 legal department began to increase, his care and attention 

 to it commenced to decrease in a corresponding and ever 

 increasing ratio. 



On the determination of the lines of Branch Brook Park 

 in July, 1895, the requirements in condemnation proceed- 

 ings and other legal questions were rapidly augmented. 

 Aside from the reservoir property in that park, the entire 

 area was in city lots. With the desire of the commission to 

 obtain possession of all the property at the earliest practi- 

 cable date, all the small holdings that could not be pur- 



